Safeguarding Divisional Lead

The Safeguarding Divisional Lead provides safeguarding oversight across a designated division, supporting DSLs and operational teams to identify risks, respond to concerns and protect children from harm. Through guidance, training, case consultation and quality assurance, the role promotes high safeguarding standards, continuous improvement and a child-centred culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility., Safeguarding Leadership & Oversight

• Act as the safeguarding escalation point for DSLs, Nursery Managers and operational teams.
• Provide safeguarding oversight across a designated region, including nursery visits and key safeguarding meetings.
• Coach and support DSLs to strengthen safeguarding practice and decision-making.
• Provide expert guidance on complex and high-risk safeguarding concerns.
• Promote compliance with safeguarding policies, procedures and statutory requirements.
• Support safeguarding improvements through audits, reviews and learning.
• Contribute to the Safeguarding Helpline, R2R calls and management of escalated concerns.
• Support the delivery of safeguarding training and induction programmes.
Practice Improvement & Support
• Support settings where safeguarding concerns or improvement actions have been identified.
• Work with DSLs and operational teams to implement and monitor safeguarding improvement plans.
• Provide targeted safeguarding support, guidance and challenge where additional intervention is needed.
• Escalate concerns where safeguarding improvements are not being achieved.
• Embed learning from safeguarding incidents, investigations and inspections.
• Share safeguarding best practice and key learning to drive consistency across the region., Deliver safeguarding training, workshops and development sessions to Designated Safeguarding Leads and nursery teams.
• Coach leaders to strengthen safeguarding knowledge, confidence and decision-making.
• Reinforce safeguarding expectations, professional curiosity and effective safeguarding practice.
• Support colleagues to understand and apply statutory safeguarding responsibilities, escalation routes and reporting requirements.
• Identify gaps in safeguarding knowledge and capability and support targeted improvement activity., Build effective relationships with Nursery Managers, Regional Directors, operational leaders and Early Childhood Specialist colleagues.
• Work collaboratively with HR, Operations, and Early Childhood teams to deliver a joined-up approach to safeguarding.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with external safeguarding agencies and partners, including Children's Services and LADO teams where appropriate.
• Support the DSLs in preparation and attendance of Allegation Against Staff and Volunteer Meetings and Child Strategy Meeting.
• Monitor the DSLs engagement with the Local Authority Safeguarding offer and provide targeted improvement activity to ensure participation.
• Support the implementation of safeguarding initiatives and organisational priorities across the region.
Insight & Continuous Improvement
• Use learning from Internal Review audits, investigations, safeguarding concerns and organisational insight to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Identify recurring issues, themes and risks and support action to address them.
• Contribute to the development of safeguarding resources, guidance and improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate safeguarding records, reporting and documentation relating to regional safeguarding activity.
• Support the sharing of organisational learning and effective safeguarding practice across settings., Significant experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within a regulated children's setting.
• Significant safeguarding experience within early years, education, social care or another regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and child protection processes.
• Experience supporting leaders to manage safeguarding concerns and risk.
• Experience managing complex or sensitive safeguarding matters.
• Experience delivering training, coaching or professional development activity.
• Experience working with external safeguarding agencies and partners.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding thresholds, escalation processes and statutory reporting requirements.
• Training, coaching or facilitation experience.
  
  Relevant qualification in Early Years, Education, Social Care or related discipline - Essential.