At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding practices and ensure student support across the academy.
- Company: The Pingle Academy, committed to student welfare and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, well-being initiatives, and health support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to creating an inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by ensuring their safety and well-being.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding or pastoral leadership within education is essential.
The predicted salary is between 35600 - 56708 £ per year.
Location: Coronation Street, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 0QA
Contract type: Permanent
Contract term: Full-Time
Salary: £51,356.00 - £56,708.00 Annually (FTE)
Hours Per Week: 37
Weeks Per Year: 52.143
Closing Date: 9:00am, Fri 26th Jun, 2026
Start Date: September 2026 or sooner
About This Role
We are seeking to appoint an exceptional, experienced and highly committed non‑teaching Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to lead and further develop safeguarding practice across the academy, as part of the academy’s Senior Leadership Team. This pivotal leadership role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding, child protection and pastoral care. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of safeguarding across the academy, ensuring safeguarding remains at the heart of all decision‑making and that every student receives the support they need.
Responsibilities
- Lead the academy’s safeguarding provision, working closely with senior leaders, pastoral teams and external agencies.
- Ensure robust safeguarding systems, processes and interventions are in place to protect especially vulnerable students.
- Support oversight of assemblies and PHSE content and lead drop‑down days to enrich safeguarding provision.
- Provide strategic direction and operational oversight to ensure safeguarding remains central to all decision‑making.
Qualifications and Experience
- Significant experience of safeguarding or pastoral leadership, ideally within an educational setting.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and best practice, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
- Experience managing complex safeguarding cases, working effectively with external agencies to reduce and manage risk.
- Ability to lead, influence and support colleagues to maintain highest safeguarding standards.
- Excellent professional judgment, confidence to make decisions in challenging and sensitive situations.
- Strong organisational, communication and record‑keeping skills.
- Rigorous data analysis skills to identify emerging risks and implement effective interventions.
- Solution‑focused and resilient approach.
- Warmth, integrity and ability to build strong, trusting relationships with students, families and colleagues.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Professional development and CPD investment through our Professional Growth Model.
- Competitive salary and annual bonus scheme.
- Well‑being initiatives supported by a Well‑being Champion Network.
- Dedicated well‑being day per academic year.
- Employee Assistance Programme and mental health support services.
- Access to Benenden Health's self‑pay private healthcare service.
- Discounted gym membership with Everyone Active.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Health cash plan, eye care vouchers, flu vaccination vouchers.
- Generous pension schemes via Teachers Pensions and the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Equal Opportunity and EEO Statement
We welcome a broad range of perspectives with a commitment to equality of opportunity by recruiting a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment. We encourage applications from underrepresented communities irrespective of age, disability, race, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, marriage or civil partnership status, or neurodivergent status. We will make reasonable adjustments where required through the recruitment process. All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK. The position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (Non-teaching) at The Pingle Academy in Swadlincote employer: The Pingle Academy
The Pingle Academy is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its staff, offering a comprehensive benefits package including competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and dedicated well-being initiatives. Located in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, the academy fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture, ensuring that safeguarding remains at the heart of its mission to provide the best possible care for students. Joining our Senior Leadership Team as the Designated Safeguarding Lead means being part of a committed community focused on making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people.
