Designated Safeguarding Lead

Job Title: Designated Safeguarding Lead Actual Annual Salary: £35,072 - £37,417 Based on hours and working weeks Full-Time Equivalent Salary: £40,958 - £43,697 (CLF Grade F) Based on 37 hours per week, all year round. Contract Type: Permanent Hours: Full-Time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday / Term Time Only plus INSETs Provisional Start Date: January 2027 - Pending completion of pre-employment checks

A rewarding opportunity to lead safeguarding practice and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people: At Lime Hills Academy, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. As a specialist school supporting children and young people with additional needs, we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every child can thrive. With the school currently operating across a split site and preparing for the exciting transition to a brand-new purpose-built school in September 2027, the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is more important than ever. The DSL provides strategic leadership for safeguarding, ensuring that all children are protected from harm, that concerns are identified and acted upon promptly, and that families receive the support they need. Working closely with Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, staff, external agencies, and partner organisations, the DSL promotes a strong safeguarding culture across both sites, ensuring consistency, vigilance, and the highest standards of care. Through effective safeguarding practices, training, and collaboration, the DSL plays a critical role in supporting the wellbeing, safety, and positive outcomes of every child at Lime Hills Academy.

About you:

You will have: Proven safeguarding experience working with children or young people, ideally within education. Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance (e.g. KCSIE), including child protection and support for vulnerable pupils. Advanced safeguarding/child protection training and experience of multi-agency working. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and provide advice and training. Strong organisational and analytical skills, with experience of handling sensitive cases and maintaining accurate records. A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and improving outcomes for children, with resilience and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached job description and person specification, prior to submitting an application.

About Lime Hills Academy:

Lime Hills Academy is a special school for young people in years 5 - 11 who have an EHCP to support their SEMH needs. We will be moving into our new build in Churchill in September 2025. As a temporary arrangement we have been supported by the DfE and CLF to deliver our provision across two sites: a secondary site in Weston and a primary site in Nailsea. At our core, is a belief that every young person deserves the right to an educative experience that prepares them for adulthood and opens doors at Post 16. We do this by providing a targeted core curriculum that focuses in equal parts on literacy, numeracy, and PSHE. This is enriched through outdoor learning, benevolent childhood experiences, arts, topic based learning and specific interventions.

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. 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!

Recruitment timeline:

• Closing Date: 3 November 2026
• Short-listing: 4 November 2026
• Interviews: 10 November 2026

We welcome visits from potential candidates. If you would like to arrange a school visit prior to the closing date, please contact the academy/site directly to arrange a suitable appointment. As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs – a full education and employment history must be provided through our application form. We are unable to offer sponsorship with this role. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out. As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.

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