At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding and child protection efforts in a vibrant school environment.
- Company: Supportive independent school focused on child-centred practices.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, free lunches, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a collaborative team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through expert safeguarding leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and strong interpersonal skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced, professional and child-centred Designated Safeguarding Lead to take operational responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the school. This is a non-teaching role and would suit a candidate with a strong social work background, together with the judgement, resilience and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with stakeholders from young children to adults in a busy independent school environment.
The successful candidate will lead on day-to-day safeguarding practice, ensuring that concerns are identified, recorded, assessed and managed appropriately, and that the school’s safeguarding arrangements remain robust, responsive and fully compliant. The role will require close and highly collaborative working with the school’s pastoral team, particularly the Deputy Head Pastoral, to provide the teacher-led and educational input in relation to pupils’ wider pastoral care, behaviour, attendance and school-based support.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will bring specialist safeguarding expertise, including risk assessment, statutory liaison, case management and multi-agency working, complementing and strengthening the school’s provision. The postholder will provide expert advice and support to staff and families, maintain effective safeguarding records, liaise with children’s social care and other external agencies as required, support staff training and awareness, and promote a strong safeguarding culture across the school.
The role will be based on a full-time, all year-round contract, although some flexibility may be possible for the right candidate around a term time or term time plus pattern. This role offers a particularly attractive opportunity for the right candidate seeking to apply their safeguarding expertise within a supportive school environment. The position provides the chance to focus on high-quality, child-centred safeguarding practice, collaborative decision-making and preventative work.
Job purpose: We are looking to appoint an experienced and professional Designated Safeguarding Lead with a strong child-centred ethos to lead on the operational delivery of safeguarding and child protection across the school. This is a non-teaching post and requires a social work background.
Reporting to: Head
Hours: Full time (40 hours per week), all year round. Some flexibility will be required to attend meetings, case conferences, training or other safeguarding-related activity outside normal working hours where necessary.
Required: As soon as possible
Salary: Competitive, based on skills and experience
Benefits:
- Generous pension scheme.
- Free lunch on site during term time.
- Annual flu jabs.
- Online EAP service and counselling.
- Training and development support.
- Parking on site.
Closing Date: Monday 20 July 2026 at 9am. Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the recruitment may close ahead of this date, if the right candidate has been found.
Designated Safeguarding Lead in Cardiff employer: The Independent Schools Council
Joining Kingsley Explorers Nursery as a Founding Early Years Practitioner means becoming part of a pioneering team dedicated to creating a nurturing and enriching environment for children's growth. With a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a strong emphasis on professional development, this role offers not just a job, but a meaningful career in early childhood education. Located within the supportive framework of the Independent Schools Council, you will thrive in a culture that values innovation and collaboration.
Contact Details:
The Independent Schools Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Designated Safeguarding Lead in Cardiff
✨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 The Independent Schools Council.
✨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 The Independent Schools Council!
✨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 The Independent Schools Council, 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 The Independent Schools Council 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 Cardiff
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 The Independent Schools Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Independent Schools Council! 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 The Independent Schools Council
✨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.
