At a Glance
- Tasks: Support safeguarding and child protection systems, ensuring student welfare and wellbeing.
- Company: Join The Lowry Academy, a supportive multi-academy trust focused on inclusion and diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and dedicated planning days for personal growth.
- Other info: Opportunity for ongoing training and professional development in a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a dynamic and fulfilling environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families, strong communication skills, and a commitment to safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 31742 - 34951 £ per year.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, permanent, term time only
Salary Grade: Band 3 professional point 3 - 7 (£31,742 - £34,951)
Conditions of Service: United Learning Permanent Contract
Start Date: 1st September 2026 or as soon as possible
Reports to: Child Protection Officer
Purpose of the Role
To support the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in ensuring the effective implementation of safeguarding and child protection systems across the academy. The post holder will lead on early help provision, coordinate support for vulnerable students and families, and contribute to a strong safeguarding culture that prioritises student welfare and wellbeing.
Key Responsibilities
- Safeguarding and Child Protection (Support Role)
- Support the DSL in delivering safeguarding and child protection procedures in line with statutory guidance (KCSIE, Working Together to Safeguard Children).
- Act as a point of contact for safeguarding concerns as part of the Safeguarding team.
- Ensure safeguarding concerns are recorded accurately, promptly, and appropriately on CPOMS (or equivalent system).
- Support quality assurance of safeguarding records, including accuracy of categories, chronology, and actions.
- Escalate concerns to the DSL promptly and appropriately.
- Support liaison with external agencies, including social care and Early Help services where directed.
- Promote a culture of vigilance, listening, and professional curiosity among staff.
- Early Help Leadership
- Lead on the identification, coordination, and oversight of Early Help provision across the academy.
- Act as the academy’s Early Help Lead Professional where appropriate.
- Complete and coordinate Early Help Assessments (EHAs) and lead Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings.
- Work proactively with students and families to address emerging needs before escalation.
- Monitor the effectiveness of early help interventions and adapt support as required.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with external partners to ensure timely and effective support.
- Support for Students and Families
- Provide targeted pastoral and safeguarding support for vulnerable students.
- Conduct home visits where concerns require further investigation or support (in line with safeguarding procedures).
- Work with families to improve engagement with school, attendance, and wellbeing.
- Deliver or coordinate interventions for students with social, emotional, and mental health needs.
- Facilitate restorative conversations and support behaviour improvement processes.
- Day-to-Day Safeguarding Practice
- Ensure referrals are made promptly to appropriate agencies where risk of harm is identified (under DSL direction where necessary).
- Attend multi-agency meetings including Child in Need, Child Protection, Early Help, and other relevant forums.
- Contribute to attendance, reintegration, and inclusion planning for vulnerable students.
- Maintain accurate, confidential, and high-quality safeguarding records.
- Support the early identification of risks and barriers to learning.
- Staff Support and Culture
- Provide guidance and advice to staff on safeguarding concerns and early help processes.
- Support the DSL in embedding safeguarding practice across the school.
- Promote a culture where students feel safe, listened to, and supported.
- Training and Development
- Undertake and maintain up-to-date safeguarding training (including Prevent, FGM, online safety, and local safeguarding procedures).
- Support the delivery of safeguarding training and briefings to staff where appropriate.
- Engage in regular supervision and reflective practice.
- Contribution to Wider Pastoral Systems
- Contribute to safeguarding reporting and monitoring (e.g. trends, patterns, case reviews).
- Support inclusion strategies and multi-agency working.
- Contribute to internal meetings relating to behaviour, attendance, and safeguarding.
- General Responsibilities
- Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection requirements at all times.
- Model professional standards and safeguarding best practice.
- Undertake any additional duties appropriate to the role as directed by the SLT team.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Experience
- Experience of working with children and families in a school or safeguarding context.
- Knowledge and Understanding
- Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection guidance (KCSIE, Working Together).
- Knowledge of Early Help processes and thresholds.
- Understanding of risk factors affecting young people (e.g. neglect, exploitation, attendance).
- Skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (with students, families, staff, and external agencies).
- Ability to manage sensitive situations with professionalism and emotional intelligence.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail in record‑keeping.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Personal Qualities
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
- Resilience and ability to manage emotionally demanding situations.
- High levels of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
- Proactive, solution‑focused approach.
Desirable Criteria
- Safeguarding or DDSL training (or willingness to undertake).
- Experience completing Early Help Assessments and leading TAF meetings.
- Experience using CPOMS (or similar safeguarding systems).
- Relevant qualification (e.g. safeguarding, counselling, youth work, social care).
What can we offer?
- Employee Referral Scheme
- Bespoke career pathways for every member of staff
- Competitive salary
- 5 INSET days per year + 3 additional planning days each term, dedicated to development and planning.
- The benefits of working in a successful multi‑academy trust and full access to ongoing CPD
- Cycle to Work Scheme
The Lowry Academy is committed to creating the best place to work, where all staff can reach their full potential. We believe in promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality and welcome and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation. Suitable candidates will be interviewed on receipt of application, and The Lowry Academy reserves the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made. The Lowry is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students. This responsibility necessitates a child protection policy and robust procedures. Each student’s welfare is of paramount importance. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be read on our website.
CLOSING DATE Midnight 22nd June 2026
INTERVIEWS Likely Week commencing 28th June 2026
Deputy Child Protection Officer employer: The Lowry Academy
The Lowry Academy is an exceptional employer that prioritises the welfare and development of its staff, offering bespoke career pathways and a competitive salary within a supportive multi-academy trust environment. With a strong commitment to inclusion, diversity, and ongoing professional development, employees benefit from dedicated planning days and a culture that fosters collaboration and growth, making it an ideal place for those passionate about safeguarding and supporting vulnerable students.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Child Protection Officer
✨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 Lowry 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 The Lowry 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 The Lowry 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 The Lowry 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 Deputy Child Protection Officer
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 Lowry Academy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Lowry 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 The Lowry 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.
