Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Location: Dudley – DY5
Salary: £30,000–£38,000 | Full Time

Join our dedicated team as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, taking strategic responsibility for safeguarding, child protection, welfare, and attendance across the school. This is a vital role for an experienced safeguarding professional who is passionate about ensuring every student feels safe, supported, and able to thrive.

About the Role

As DSL, you will lead all aspects of safeguarding and child protection, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, external agencies, and staff to maintain a culture of vigilance and care. You will oversee attendance, analyse behaviour data for safeguarding links, and coordinate staff and student debriefs following incidents, ensuring emotional wellbeing and reflective practice.

Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding & Child Protection

• Lead all safeguarding and child protection matters in line with statutory guidance.

• Act as the main point of contact for concerns, liaising with social care, police, LADO, and other agencies.

• Maintain accurate safeguarding records on CPOMs and ensure timely action.

• Provide safeguarding training and guidance to staff.

• Lead safeguarding audits and ensure safer recruitment processes.

Attendance Leadership

• Oversee whole-school attendance, identifying patterns that may indicate safeguarding issues.

• Implement targeted interventions and work with families and external agencies to improve attendance.

• Report regularly on attendance trends and outcomes.

Behaviour & Safeguarding Links

• Analyse behaviour data to identify safeguarding concerns.

• Work with pastoral and behaviour teams to implement effective support plans.

• Ensure behaviour policies embed strong safeguarding practice.

Staff & Student Debriefs

• Conduct and oversee debriefs after incidents to support wellbeing.

• Provide reflective practice opportunities for staff.

• Ensure appropriate follow-up support for students.

Strategic Leadership

• Work with SLT to drive safeguarding priorities and contribute to whole-school planning.

• Represent the school at multi-agency meetings.

• Support ongoing development of safeguarding policy and practice.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience as a DSL or in a senior safeguarding role.

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practice.

• Experience managing complex safeguarding cases and referrals.

• Experience leading on attendance and behaviour analysis.

• Ability to conduct debriefs and support staff and student wellbeing.

• Confident in holding staff to account on safeguarding standards.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

• Experience delivering safeguarding training.

• Strong organisational and leadership skills.

• Commitment to maintaining a culture of safeguarding and continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Experience in curriculum leadership or development.

• Experience supporting students with SEND, SEMH, or complex needs.

• Experience in pastoral leadership, behaviour, or inclusion.

• Knowledge of mental health and wellbeing strategies.

• Experience leading whole-school safeguarding or welfare initiatives.