At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts and ensure the wellbeing of every child in our academy.
- Company: Join Hanham Woods Academy, a top-performing secondary school in Bristol.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse community committed to excellence and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: In-depth safeguarding knowledge and experience working with children required.
The predicted salary is between 35072 - 37417 £ per year.
Actual Annual Salary: £35,072 - £37,417 based on hours and weeks worked.
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, Term Time Only Plus INSETS
Provisional Start Date: 28 September 2026 (Subject to completion of pre-employment checks)
Make a meaningful difference by leading safeguarding and championing the wellbeing and protection of every child. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will act as the main point of contact within the academy for all safeguarding and child protection matters, taking operational responsibility in line with statutory requirements. The role is pivotal in embedding a strong safeguarding culture, ensuring that policies, procedures and training are robust, compliant and consistently applied across the academy.
This role will lead on safeguarding strategy and practice: ensuring compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and local authority requirements, managing referrals and multi-agency work, and maintaining accurate records of all safeguarding concerns. The postholder will support vulnerable students and families, coordinate interventions, and work closely with internal teams and external agencies to secure positive outcomes and prevent harm.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will also play a key role in building a culture of vigilance and support; delivering training, advising staff, monitoring safeguarding trends, and ensuring that the voice of the child is central to all decision making.
About you:
- Have in-depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and current national and local priorities, including KCSIE and child protection procedures.
- Be trained to an advanced level in safeguarding and child protection, with significant experience of working with children and young people.
- Have demonstrable experience of multi-agency working, building effective relationships with external partners such as social care, local authorities and safeguarding boards.
- Be confident in providing professional advice, guidance and training to staff, acting as a key source of expertise within the academy.
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex information with professionalism and discretion.
- Be highly organised, able to prioritise a demanding workload, manage safeguarding cases effectively, and maintain accurate and detailed records.
- Demonstrate strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess risk, resolve issues and coordinate appropriate safeguarding responses.
- Be committed to working collaboratively with students, families, staff and the wider community to promote safeguarding and improve outcomes for all children.
- Show resilience, professionalism and a clear commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and improving the life chances of all students.
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 Hanham Woods Academy:
Hanham Woods Academy is a secondary school located within the outskirts of Bristol and South Gloucestershire, delivering education to more than 800 pupils aged 11-16. It is one of the most improved academies in the South West, and has a growing reputation both locally and regionally. While we appreciate the unique setting in which the academy is placed, we work hard to challenge students from a variety of backgrounds to be the best they can be in all areas of life. Our mission here is simple: we want to give people the best chance of success, underpinned by our ethos of 'Dream Big, Work Hard, Be Kind'. We want students to 'climb the mountain' in order to achieve success both academically and by developing a confident, resilient and hard-working character.
Why work at CLF?
We are a diverse and inclusive community of 36 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. Over 52% of the students who attend Bristol Metropolitan Academy are from global majority groups, so we particularly encourage applicants from those groups in order to represent the students we serve, as well as wider underrepresented groups including gender, transgender, age disability, sexual orientation or religion. 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: 1 September 2026 @11.59pm
- Shortlisting: 2 September 2026
- Interviews: 8 September 2026
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. Please note we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for 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.
Designated Safeguarding Lead in Bristol employer: Hanham Woods Academy
Hanham Woods Academy is an excellent employer that prioritises the welfare and development of both its students and staff. Located in the vibrant city of Bristol, the academy fosters a supportive work culture where collaboration and professional growth are encouraged, offering numerous opportunities for training and advancement. With a strong commitment to student success and community engagement, working here means being part of a dedicated team that makes a meaningful impact on young lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Designated Safeguarding Lead in Bristol
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Hanham Woods Academy.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Hanham Woods Academy!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Hanham Woods Academy, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Hanham Woods Academy or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Designated Safeguarding Lead in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Hanham Woods Academy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hanham Woods Academy! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hanham Woods Academy
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
