Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will act as the main point of contact within the academy for all safeguarding and child protection matters, taking operational responsibility in line with statutory requirements. The role is pivotal in embedding a strong safeguarding culture, ensuring that policies, procedures and training are robust, compliant and consistently applied across the academy. This role will lead on safeguarding strategy and practice: ensuring compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and local authority requirements, managing referrals and multi-agency work, and maintaining accurate records of all safeguarding concerns. The postholder will support vulnerable students and families, coordinate interventions, and work closely with internal teams and external agencies to secure positive outcomes and prevent harm. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will also play a key role in building a culture of vigilance and support; delivering training, advising staff, monitoring safeguarding trends, and ensuring that the voice of the child is central to all decision making.

You will:

• Have in-depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and current national and local priorities, including KCSIE and child protection procedures.
• Be trained to an advanced level in safeguarding and child protection, with significant experience of working with children and young people.
• Have demonstrable experience of multi-agency working, building effective relationships with external partners such as social care, local authorities and safeguarding boards.
• Be confident in providing professional advice, guidance and training to staff, acting as a key source of expertise within the academy.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex information with professionalism and discretion.
• Be highly organised, able to prioritise a demanding workload, manage safeguarding cases effectively, and maintain accurate and detailed records.
• Demonstrate strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess risk, resolve issues and coordinate appropriate safeguarding responses.
• Be committed to working collaboratively with students, families, staff and the wider community to promote safeguarding and improve outcomes for all children.
• Show resilience, professionalism and a clear commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and improving the life chances of all students.
  
  Hanham Woods Academy is a secondary school located within the outskirts of Bristol and South Gloucestershire, delivering education to more than 800 pupils aged 11-16. It is one of the most improved academies in the South West, and has a growing reputation both locally and regionally.
While we appreciate the unique setting in which the academy is placed, we work hard to challenge students from a variety of backgrounds to be the best they can be in all areas of life. Our mission here is simple: we want to give people the best chance of success, underpinned by our ethos of 'Dream Big, Work Hard, Be Kind'. We want students to 'climb the mountain' in order to achieve success both academically and by developing a confident, resilient and hard-working character. Why work at CLF? We are a diverse and inclusive community of 37 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we're all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We're proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others. We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters. Over 52% of the students who attend Bristol Metropolitan Academy are from global majority groups, so we particularly encourage applicants from those groups in order to represent the students we serve, as well as wider underrepresented groups including gender, transgender, age disability, sexual orientation or religion.

We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered. What we can offer you:
• Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Generous annual leave.
• A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.
• Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
• A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
• Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!