School Safeguarding Lead

Salary

£41,010 - £49,149 + excellent benefits

Applications close on Sunday 21st June. Interviews scheduled for Tuesday 30th June.

For children with complex, challenging needs, the level of care and education must go above and beyond. That's what drives us here at Witherslack Group. With our high staff‑to‑child ratio and in‑house clinical teams, we're proud to have won a reputation for excellence. Our aspirational homes, schools and ethos help us achieve the best possible outcomes. In short, we enhance life opportunities.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are a huge part of making sure our children and young people’s needs are fully recognised and comprehensively met.

You will work as part of the leadership team and report directly to the Head Teacher for this crucial role. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other members of the Witherslack Group team in different locations to enable you to progress and develop your skills and knowledge.

As a Designated Safeguarding Lead you will take responsibility for safeguarding within the school. On a daily basis you will liaise with statutory and non‑statutory agencies, parents/carers and staff on matters of wellbeing, child protection and safeguarding, and will be a source of support, advice and expertise in the team.

• Must have worked with pupils who are autistic and have previous experience of this.
• Can communicate in a variety of ways as 70% of our pupils are non‑verbal (e.g. using Makaton, picture display symbols – we use PECs and PODD, have experience working with non‑verbal pupils).
• Has worked with pupils who display challenging behaviour and is willing to support pupils to manage their behaviour and understand its function.
• Flexible to work with pupils aged 4 through to 11 years.
• Can think outside the box in regards to delivering lessons and use bespoke and accessible curriculum.
• Has awareness of autism strategies such as TEACCH, attention autism and use of PODD and is able to use these in practice.

• Training: a full induction and on‑the‑job training.
• Holiday: full school holidays.
• Flexible benefits: you can increase or decrease benefits such as life insurance.
• Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice, including employee assistance.
• Medical cover for optician or dentist appointments and a host of high‑street discounts.
• Beautiful working environments with the best facilities.
• Recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus each time.
• Contributory pension scheme matched up to 5%.

At least 3 years’ experience in a Designated Safeguarding Lead role.

• Comprehensive portfolio of CPD related to safeguarding and child protection.
• Outstanding interpersonal and problem‑resolution skills.
• Genuinely empathetic approach.
• Full UK driving licence.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (cost covered) and an online search. The Witherslack Group is an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.