Designated Safeguarding Lead

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Job Title: Designated Safeguarding Lead
Location: Red Kite School, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 0JW
Hours: 40 hours per week Monday to Friday 8.00am - 4.00pm
Salary: £38,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent Term Time Only
Start: September 2026
UK applicants only - no sponsorship available

About the Role

At Red Kite School, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are seeking an exceptional Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to join our dedicated leadership team and play a pivotal role in protecting, supporting, and empowering some of the most vulnerable young people in education.

This is more than a safeguarding role. It is an opportunity to lead a culture where every child feels safe, valued, heard, and able to thrive.

Working alongside the Assistant Headteacher for Safeguarding, Head of School and Executive Headteacher, you will be the driving force behind safeguarding practice across our secondary provision, ensuring the highest standards of child protection, welfare, attendance, wellbeing, and multi-agency collaboration.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead safeguarding and child protection across the school, ensuring compliance with statutory guidance and best practice.
• Act as the school's safeguarding expert, providing advice, guidance and support to staff, pupils and families.
• Manage safeguarding referrals and work closely with Social Care, Police, Early Help, Channel and other external agencies.
• Maintain accurate, secure and compliant safeguarding records, reports and case management systems.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, child protection conferences, strategy discussions and safeguarding reviews.
• Deliver safeguarding training and whole-school CPD, ensuring staff remain informed, confident and up to date with current legislation.
• Promote a proactive safeguarding culture that prioritises pupil voice, wellbeing, early intervention and positive outcomes.
• Support safer recruitment, safeguarding audits, inspections and governance reporting while identifying and responding to emerging safeguarding risks.

About You

We're looking for someone who:

• Has substantial experience in safeguarding, child protection, pastoral or welfare support within an education or children's services setting.
• Possesses a strong working knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and current safeguarding legislation.
• Has experience managing safeguarding referrals and working effectively with external agencies, including Social Care, Police and Early Help services.
• Is an excellent communicator, able to build positive relationships with pupils, families, colleagues and multi-agency professionals.
• Is highly organised, with strong record-keeping skills and the ability to manage complex safeguarding cases with accuracy and professionalism.
• Can lead and influence safeguarding practice across a whole-school setting, driving continuous improvement and best practice.
• Demonstrates sound judgement, resilience and the ability to maintain confidentiality in sensitive situations.
• Is passionate about safeguarding and committed to improving outcomes, wellbeing and life chances for children and young people.
• In possession of a Full UK Driving Licence

About Us

Red Kite School is a brand-new, purpose-built independent SEN school, designed to support up to 60 pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Set in the beautiful market town of Princes Risborough, it's a truly exciting time to join us as a founding member of staff and help shape a nurturing, inclusive learning environment from the ground up.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people's lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.