At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts and support families to enhance pupil wellbeing.
- Company: Stretton Shires School, a supportive environment for autistic young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and a focus on wellbeing.
- Other info: Join a growing team dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while building strong community ties.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
Employer: Acorn Care and Education
Location: Stretton Shires School, Stretton, Rutland, LE15 7GT
Pay: £40,000 per year
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 8:30am‑4:30pm)
Disability Confident: No
Closing Date: 18/06/2026
About this job
We put wellbeing first by giving our teams more time to recharge.
This combined role is central to ensuring the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all pupils, while also building strong, supportive relationships with families and the wider community. The successful candidate will take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the school, while also acting as a key link between home and school to support families, remove barriers to learning and promote positive outcomes for children.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead on all safeguarding and child protection matters, including managing referrals to children’s social care, the police, Channel and the DBS, while maintaining accurate, secure case records.
- Act as the school’s expert point of contact for staff, providing guidance, support and training on safeguarding, early help and child welfare concerns.
- Attend and contribute to multi‑agency meetings, strategy discussions, child protection conferences and reviews, ensuring effective partnership working with external agencies.
- Keep the Headteacher informed of safeguarding issues, ongoing investigations and concerns involving staff, liaising with the LADO where required.
- Build strong, trusting relationships with families, offering support, guidance and signposting to help remove barriers to learning and improve pupil wellbeing.
- Work proactively with parents/carers to promote positive attendance, engagement and behaviour, supporting families to understand school expectations and routines.
- Identify families who may benefit from early help, coordinating interventions and contributing to assessments, plans and multi‑agency reviews.
- Support vulnerable pupils with social, emotional or behavioural needs, working with staff to develop personalised support strategies that promote safety, inclusion and positive outcomes.
About You
- Has significant experience in safeguarding, child protection and/or family support.
- Demonstrates excellent judgement, emotional resilience and the ability to manage sensitive and complex situations.
- Communicates confidently with children, families, staff and external agencies.
- Has up‑to‑date knowledge of statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
- Is proactive, organised and committed to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Builds strong relationships and works collaboratively as part of a wider pastoral and safeguarding team.
About Us
Stretton Shires School is an independent day and residential school catering for autistic young people and those with associated needs, offering specialist secondary education for pupils aged 11‑18. Established in 2005, the school is currently growing its day pupil numbers and seeks dedicated staff to support its growth aspirations.
Designated Safeguarding Lead and Family Liaison Officer employer: Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
Acorn Care and Education is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where employees can thrive. Located in the picturesque Stretton, Rutland, the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead and Family Liaison Officer provides meaningful opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of young people and their families, with a focus on professional development and collaboration within a dedicated team. With a commitment to safeguarding and child welfare, this position not only fosters personal growth but also contributes to the overall mission of enhancing educational outcomes for vulnerable pupils.
Contact Details:
Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Designated Safeguarding Lead and Family Liaison Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education and safeguarding sectors. Attend local events or online webinars to connect with others who might know about job openings or can give you insider tips.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to safeguarding and family liaison. Think about real-life scenarios you've handled and how they relate to the role. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for safeguarding and supporting families during interviews. Share your experiences and how they’ve shaped your approach. This will help us see your commitment to the role and the wellbeing of pupils.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Designated Safeguarding Lead and Family Liaison Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in safeguarding and family support. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead and Family Liaison Officer.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves working closely with families and external agencies, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication abilities. Use examples from your past experiences to show how you effectively engage with different stakeholders.
Highlight Relevant Experience:We’re looking for candidates with significant experience in safeguarding and child protection. Be sure to detail your previous roles and responsibilities that relate directly to these areas in your application.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Stretton Shires School.
How to prepare for a job interview at Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest statutory guidance, especially 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in past roles, as it shows you're not just familiar with the theory but can put it into practice.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
This role is all about building strong relationships with families and staff. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with parents or worked collaboratively with colleagues to support pupils. Real-life stories will make your points more relatable!
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to safeguarding and family support. Think through your responses ahead of time, focusing on your judgement and emotional resilience. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Demonstrate Your Proactivity
The school is looking for someone who is proactive and organised. Share examples of how you've identified issues before they became problems and the steps you took to address them. This will show that you're committed to improving outcomes for children and families.
