Designated Safeguarding Lead And Pastoral Support

Life Skills Enterprise is a growing independent specialist school for pupils with Autism, SEMH and associated needs. We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced and highly motivated Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) & Pastoral Manager to join our leadership team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding, pastoral care and pupil wellbeing, ensuring every young person feels safe, supported and able to achieve their full potential.

As DSL, you will lead all aspects of safeguarding and child protection, ensuring compliance with statutory guidance and maintaining strong partnerships with families and external agencies. Alongside this, you will lead our pastoral provision, supporting pupils' emotional wellbeing, attendance and engagement, whilst promoting a therapeutic, trauma‑informed approach throughout the school.

The successful candidate will have experience of safeguarding within education or children’s services, an excellent understanding of statutory safeguarding responsibilities, and the ability to build positive relationships with pupils, families and professionals. Experience with in a SEND or specialist setting is desirable.

At Life Skills Enterprise, we are committed to investing in our staff and offer a supportive leadership team, opportunities for continued professional development and the chance to shape and develop pastoral provision within a growing specialist school.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience managing safeguarding and child protection concerns.
• Can confidently lead multi‑agency working and support vulnerable pupils and families.
• Is organised, resilient and an excellent communicator.
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.
• Can lead with compassion, professionalism and integrity.

In return, we offer:

• A welcoming and supportive team.
• High‑quality CPD and leadership development opportunities.
• A therapeutic and child‑centred working environment.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of young people.

Life Skills Enterprise is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, online searches, satisfactory references and all safer recruitment checks in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

If you are passionate about safeguarding and want to be part of a school where relationships, wellbeing and high aspirations are at the heart of everything we do, we would love to hear from you.

Designated Safeguarding Lead and Pastoral Support
• Margate