Director of Attendance and Safeguarding

Lead with Purpose. Protect and Support. Change Outcomes for Young People. Noel-Baker Academy is seeking an exceptional leader to take strategic responsibility for attendance and safeguarding, ensuring that every pupil is safe, supported and able to access education consistently. This is a senior leadership role with a clear and vital purpose: improving attendance, strengthening safeguarding practices and removing barriers that prevent pupils from thriving. The Opportunity You will drive two of the most critical aspects of school life, safeguarding and attendance, shaping a culture where high expectations, strong systems and effective intervention ensure no pupil is overlooked. As the academy's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you will:

• Provide expert leadership on safeguarding practice and statutory compliance
• Oversee systems, processes and case management to ensure timely and effective responses
• Work closely with external agencies to secure the right support for vulnerable pupils
In parallel, you will drive the academy's attendance strategy, using insight and evidence to:
• Improve overall attendance and reduce persistent absence
• Identify trends and target intervention where it is needed most
• Work directly with families and professionals to remove barriers
This role is both strategic and operational, requiring the ability to design systems, lead people and deliver impact at pace. What Makes This Role Different This is not a traditional leadership role confined to systems and oversight. It is a role that:
• Works directly with pupils and families to create change
• Requires confident decision-making in complex and sensitive situations
• Demands strong partnership working across multiple agencies
• Has a direct and measurable impact on pupils' life chances
You will influence practice across the academy, ensuring that safeguarding and attendance are fully embedded and consistently delivered. Who We Are Looking For We are looking for a credible and experienced professional who can demonstrate:
• Proven impact in improving attendance, safeguarding or inclusion outcomes
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and multi-agency working
• The ability to analyse information and translate it into effective action
• Confidence in leading, influencing and holding others to account
• Resilience, sound judgement and a child-centred approach
Candidates may come from a range of backgrounds, including education, safeguarding, social care or wider public services. Why Join Noel-Baker Academy? Noel-Baker Academy is a school with a clear sense of purpose and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for all pupils. You will join a leadership team that values:
• Collaboration and professional trust
• High standards and accountability
• Continuous improvement and innovation
As part of L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, you will also benefit from wider professional networks, development opportunities and the chance to contribute beyond a single school setting. This role is being advertised as part of a broader leadership opportunity within the academy. Alongside this support staff role, a parallel teaching leadership role is also being advertised. We recognise that the skills required to lead attendance and safeguarding can be found in both teaching and non-teaching professionals, and we are committed to appointing the strongest possible candidate based on experience, expertise and impact. For further information and to apply, please click here. Closing date: 10 May 2026. Interview date: 18/19 May 2026. Noel-Baker Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to enhanced DBS checks and rigorous pre-employment screening.

We are looking for a credible and experienced professional who can demonstrate:
• Proven impact in improving attendance, safeguarding or inclusion outcomes
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and multi-agency working
• The ability to analyse information and translate it into effective action
• Confidence in leading, influencing and holding others to account
• Resilience, sound judgement and a child-centred approach
Candidates may come from a range of backgrounds, including education, safeguarding, social care or wider public services.