At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding across nurseries, coach leaders, and ensure high standards.
- Company: Join a values-driven organisation making a real difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, 25 days leave, and childcare discounts.
- Other info: Field-based role with opportunities for ongoing development and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on safeguarding practices and children's wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
£50,000 per annum plus £6,000 car allowance. Field‑Based (South) | Full Time (37.5 hours) | Permanent.
We're looking for an experienced Regional Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to provide expert safeguarding oversight and support across a portfolio of nurseries across our South location (Beds, Bucks, Herts, London & Home Counties). This is an excellent opportunity for a confident safeguarding professional who enjoys coaching leaders, driving best practice and making a real difference to children's lives.
As Regional DSL, you will provide specialist safeguarding expertise to nursery leaders across your region. Acting as a trusted advisor and safeguarding champion, you'll support robust decision‑making, ensure concerns are managed appropriately and help maintain consistently high standards of safeguarding practice. You will work closely with Nursery Managers, Area Managers and regional leadership teams, providing professional guidance, quality assurance, coaching and oversight of safeguarding activity. While safeguarding responsibility remains within each nursery, you'll be instrumental in strengthening confidence, consistency and compliance across your region. The role is field‑based, with regular travel across the region, so a full UK driving licence is essential.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Safeguarding Leadership & Oversight
- Provide day‑to‑day safeguarding oversight across multiple nurseries.
- Support leaders in assessing concerns, applying safeguarding thresholds and making informed decisions.
- Identify safeguarding trends, emerging risks and areas requiring escalation.
- Provide expert support in complex, high‑risk or sensitive safeguarding cases.
- Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Review safeguarding records, documentation and case files to ensure quality and consistency.
- Support statutory reporting and notifications.
- Maintain clear safeguarding oversight and reporting across your region.
- Help ensure compliance with safeguarding legislation, guidance and organisational policies.
- Coaching & Development
- Coach Nursery Managers and leadership teams to strengthen safeguarding knowledge and confidence.
- Deliver practical support through site visits, virtual meetings and follow‑up activity.
- Share learning, best practice and safeguarding insights across the region.
- Partnership Working
- Collaborate with operational, quality and early years teams to support continuous improvement.
- Build effective relationships with external agencies and safeguarding partners.
- Work alongside the Head of Safeguarding to manage complex and escalated cases.
Who We’re Looking For
We're looking for a safeguarding professional who combines expertise with excellent relationship‑building skills.
You’ll Bring
- Significant experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within a regulated children’s setting.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance relevant to early years or education.
- Experience managing complex safeguarding concerns and working with external agencies.
- Excellent judgement, resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Strong coaching and influencing skills, with the confidence to support and challenge when needed.
- Excellent organisation, attention to detail and experience handling sensitive information.
What Success Looks Like
- Confident, well‑supported nursery leaders making effective safeguarding decisions.
- Consistently high‑quality safeguarding documentation and record keeping.
- Strong safeguarding cultures where concerns are raised and escalated appropriately.
- Greater consistency in safeguarding practice across multiple settings.
- Robust safeguarding assurance for children, families, leaders and regulators.
In Return, We Offer
- The opportunity to lead within a growing, values‑driven organisation.
- Access to global expertise and best practice in early years.
- A role with real influence where you directly impact outcomes.
- Ongoing development and career progression opportunities.
- Competitive salary of up to £50,000 plus car allowance of £6,000 per annum.
- 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off.
- EAP and Medicash benefits.
- Childcare discount.
Learn more about working at Partou: Recruitment: All applicants will undergo Enhanced DBS checks and thorough vetting. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975. Partou is proud to be part of the National Partnership in Early Learning and Childcare (NPELC) – a group of 10 of the largest childcare providers across England. Together, we operate over 1,300 childcare settings, employ more than 38,000 people and take care of over 160,000 children.
Regional Designated Safeguarding Lead - South in London employer: Partou Childcare
Partou Childcare is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where Early Years Practitioners can thrive. Located in the vibrant city of Bristol, employees enjoy competitive salaries, generous benefits such as childcare discounts and enhanced leave, as well as access to ongoing training opportunities that foster professional development. Join us at Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Pre-school, where your passion for nurturing young minds will be valued and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Designated Safeguarding Lead - South in London
✨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 Partou Childcare.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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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 Partou Childcare 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 Regional Designated Safeguarding Lead - South in London
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 Partou Childcare:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Partou Childcare! 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 Partou Childcare
✨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.
