Senior Manager - Safeguarding

Join to apply for the Senior Manager – Safeguarding role at GEMS Education.

Purpose:

GEMS Education is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people. The purpose of this role is to ensure the effective management of child safeguarding across GEMS’ schools through leading on case management, training and development, external stakeholder management, safeguarding processes, curriculum development, student voice and participation and parental engagement.

• Provide advice, guidance and support on safeguarding matters to GEMS Education management teams and school‑based staff.
• Develop and implement relevant policies to ensure consistent practice and policy compliance across the group.
• Ensure that safe systems and practices are in place across GEMS through the safeguarding self‑evaluation framework (SEF) to improve practice, develop capacity and inform governance.
• Develop and maintain key metrics to measure the impact of safeguarding activities and report on safeguarding matters.
• Review and quality‑assure safeguarding incidents entered into the online reporting platform to ensure accurate reporting.
• Guide and support schools and services on high‑risk cases and referrals to external authorities and providers.
• Contribute to the coordination of safeguarding monitoring and evaluation activity, including analysis of training evaluation and safeguarding referral patterns.
• Work with Executive Vice Presidents, Managing Directors, Brand Ambassadors, Principals and DSLs to review and develop safeguarding practice and culture.

• Lead the development, review and implementation of safeguarding training for all GEMS school‑based, Services and SSC employees.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders (internal and external) to continuously develop new training content reflecting staff and student needs.
• Analyse safeguarding data to ensure training is reflective of current patterns and trends and maintain key metrics to demonstrate impact.
• Prepare management reports that demonstrate the impact of safeguarding training for governance.

• Support the VP Safeguarding & Child Protection in developing and maintaining relationships with external agencies and strategic partners.
• Develop strategic partnerships with internal and external partners in the local community to ensure integrated provision for children.

• Lead on the development, review and implementation of the Safeguarding Self‑Evaluation Framework (SEF) for all GEMS schools.
• Manage school visits, record SEF visits, analyse SEF judgements and provide action plans for improvement.
• Lead and develop SEF DSL forums and working groups to share good practice.
• Lead suitable forum programme of events that reflects DSL needs and analysis of safeguarding referrals.

• Develop and implement safeguarding ‘curriculum’ content for students and parents, informed by safeguarding laws and regulations.
• Develop and lead opportunities for students to participate meaningfully in GEMS‑wide policy making and review.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (highly preferred).
• Extensive experience of safeguarding in an educational or social context, including leading safeguarding and case management.
• Familiarity with the UAE context and proven leadership track record.
• Experience in a Primary and/or Secondary school environment, using data to improve practice.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders.

• Emotionally resilient and a passionate advocate for safeguarding.
• Confidential, sensitive, empathetic and compassionate.
• Calm under pressure, positive and able to travel between emirates; must be a car owner/driver.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre‑requisite for all appointments.