Trust Safeguarding Lead

This is a unique opportunity to shape and establish a newly created strategic Trust leadership role. Working directly with the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Team, you will have the opportunity to influence Trust strategy, build professional networks and develop sector-leading practice across our 24 academies, making a lasting difference to children, young people and school leaders across SNMAT."

As Trust Safeguarding Lead, you will oversee the Trust’s safeguarding functions, ensuring they are robust, effective and compliant with statutory safeguarding and child protection requirements. Working closely with Designated Safeguarding Leads, academy leaders, HR, SEND colleagues and external agencies, you will help ensure that children who are at risk receive timely, high-quality and well-coordinated support.

This is a highly visible and influential role, requiring someone who can combine specialist safeguarding knowledge with strong professional judgement, constructive challenge and the ability to build trusted relationships across the Trust and with local safeguarding partners.

At SNMAT we offer:

• A strongly collaborative, values‑driven organisation
• A supportive Trust Support Team with high levels of expertise
• The opportunity to shape education across a group of diverse and vibrant academies
• Investment in your development through regular training, coaching and professional learning
• A workplace that prioritises relationships, integrity and shared purpose.

We are looking for an individual who:

Has strong safeguarding and child protection expertise, including a secure understanding of statutory guidance.

Can provide strategic leadership across a multi-academy trust, supporting academies to strengthen safeguarding culture, systems and practice.

Uses data, evidence, audit findings and professional judgement to identify risk, evaluate impact and drive improvement.

Is a confident communicator who can advise, support, influence and challenge appropriately.

Can work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Is committed to ensuring children’s voices are heard and that safeguarding practice reflects care, dignity, integrity and SNMAT’s values.

The job description and application form are available via the SNMAT website. https://www.snmat.org.uk or through My New Term

If you require any further information or for an informal discussion, please contact the Sukwinder Bassi - Interim CEO [email removed]