Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Working side-by-side with our Senior Deputy Headteacher and DSL, you will serve as a trusted expert on child protection, playing a vital role in triage, statutory referrals, and multi-agency collaboration. From coordinating with Children’s Services and the police to CAMHS and Educational Psychologists, you will ensure our young people consistently receive the targeted support they deserve. Key Responsibilities - Triage and Referrals: Efficiently manage daily safeguarding concerns via CPOMS (safeguarding software), making timely, high-quality referrals to Children’s Social Care, the police, and external partners. - Staff Guidance: Act as an accessible, expert point of contact for school staff regarding child welfare, Early Help interventions, and best-practice procedures. - Multi-Agency Representation: Confidently represent the school at strategic meetings, including Child Protection case conferences, Core Groups, and Child in Need (CiN) reviews. - Compliance and Records: Maintain meticulous, secure, and GDPR-compliant safeguarding documentation. - Culture and Training: Help deliver staff briefings and champion a school-wide culture where every child's voice is genuinely heard. What We Are Looking For - Knowledge: Expert and up-to-date understanding of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and statutory safeguarding frameworks. - Experience: A proven track record in school pastoral care or a multi-agency setting, backed by hands-on experience handling complex child protection cases. - Skills: Exceptional communication, strong administrative precision, high digital literacy (CPOMS experience preferred), and decisive problem-solving capabilities. - Attributes: High personal resilience, unyielding professional discretion, and the moral courage to challenge decisions when necessary to protect a vulnerable child. What We Offer - A warm, collaborative working environment with a genuine commitment to staff wellbeing. - Tailored continuous professional development (CPD) and local DDSL supervision networks. - Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). - Cycle to Work scheme and free on-site parking. - A dedicated annual staff wellbeing day, alongside access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and a 24-hour virtual GP service. For further information or to arrange an informal visit to the school, please contact Mrs Lisa Shackleton, HR Manager lisa.shackleton@rmays.com or by telephone: 01256 702700