Senior Safeguarding & Attendance Lead - SEMH Specialist in Manchester

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: Full Time

Number of Positions: 1

Qualifications Required: DSL Trained

Start Date: 1st September 2026

Salary: £52,413 - £54,495 per annum

Closing date: 11th June

Shortlisting: 12th June

Interviews: 17th June

Are you passionate about safeguarding and attendance? Do you want to lead in a school where every child is understood, valued, and supported to thrive emotionally and academically? Bridgelea Primary School is looking for a dynamic Senior Safeguarding & Attendance Lead to champion the safety, wellbeing, and engagement of our unique and diverse community of children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). This is a rare opportunity to take a pivotal leadership role within a nurturing, inclusive, and rights-respecting environment, working across two vibrant sites in Manchester. If you are committed to making a positive impact on children’s lives and enjoy working collaboratively with families, staff, and external partners, we would love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and support to staff on safeguarding and attendance issues.
• Lead the development and review of safeguarding and attendance policies, ensuring compliance with the latest statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.
• Manage safeguarding records and systems, including CPOMS, with accuracy and confidentiality.
• Analyse attendance data to identify trends and implement targeted interventions to support vulnerable pupils and their families.
• Work closely with external agencies such as social services, GMP, Early Help, CAMHS, and the Local Authority to safeguard children and promote their welfare.
• Champion the school’s nurturing, Elklan, and Rights Respecting approaches in all safeguarding and attendance work.
• Deliver relevant training and development for staff to build capacity and embed best practice across the school.

This role offers a meaningful leadership challenge within a supportive senior leadership team and a chance to shape the safeguarding and attendance culture in a specialist setting.

Qualifications

• Are a compassionate and skilled safeguarding professional with a strong track record in child protection and attendance management.
• Understand the complex needs of children with SEMH and are committed to working collaboratively with staff, families, and partners to overcome barriers to learning and wellbeing.

Required Skills

• Expert knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, with experience leading safeguarding in a school or similar setting.
• Proven ability to analyse attendance data and design effective, compassionate interventions.
• Excellent communication skills, able to build trust and positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills with meticulous attention to detail in record-keeping and data management.
• Resilience and calmness under pressure, managing sensitive situations with integrity and discretion.
• A commitment to inclusion, understanding of SEMH needs, and a nurturing, rights-respecting ethos.
• A willingness to engage in ongoing professional development, including DSL refresher training and safeguarding updates.

A qualification in social care or leadership is desirable but not essential if you are committed to completing relevant training.

What We Offer

• The chance to make a real difference in the lives of children with complex social, emotional, and mental health needs.
• A supportive and experienced leadership team who value your expertise and contribution.
• Access to high-quality professional development, including safeguarding conferences and specialist training in SEMH, restorative practice, and communication strategies.
• The opportunity to work in a nurturing, inclusive school with a strong culture of care and respect.
• A competitive salary on NJC Grade 10.
• A vibrant multi-site school community committed to collaboration and continuous improvement.

At Bridgelea Primary School, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff and children. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Join us and be part of a school that truly values every child’s right to feel safe, supported, and ready to succeed. We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, younger learners and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. The above post will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references and will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This post is also subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and other pre-employment checks where applicable. We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.