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- Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts to support children with complex needs and ensure their wellbeing.
- Company: Witherslack Group, a leader in special education and care.
- Benefits: Top salary, full school holidays, flexible benefits, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding, strong interpersonal skills, and a compassionate approach.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
For children with complex, challenging needs, the level of care and education must go above and beyond and that's what drives us here at Witherslack Group. With our high staff-to-child ratio and in‑house clinical teams, we're proud to have won a reputation for excellence. Our aspirational homes, schools and ethos help us achieve the best possible outcomes. In short, we're enhancing life opportunities.
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are a huge part of making sure our children and young people's needs are fully recognised and comprehensively met.
ResponsibilitiesYou will work as part of the leadership team and report directly to the Head Teacher for this crucial role. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other members of the Witherslack Group team in different locations to enable you to progress and develop your skills and knowledge. As a Designated Safeguarding Lead you will take responsibility for safeguarding within the school; this means that on a daily basis you will be liaising with statutory and non‑statutory agencies, parents/carers and staff on matters of wellbeing, child protection and safeguarding and will be a great source of support, advice and expertise in the team.
Qualifications- Comprehensive portfolio of CPD related to Safeguarding and Child Protection.
- Outstanding interpersonal and problem resolution skills.
- A genuinely empathetic approach is also essential.
- Full UK driving licence.
The Secret Garden School is based in Solihull, currently a single site school, extending to over two sites in September 2026. It meets the needs of pupils with special educational needs, including ADHD, autism, speech, language & communication difficulties, and social & emotional difficulties. The age range is 6‑19 years. The school is currently registered for 76 pupils. Serving Solihull and the wider community, this is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of the next phase of The Secret Garden School's development, with individual pupil progress, care and high‑quality educational experiences at the centre of everything we do.
Inclusion and DiversityAt Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong. As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference – especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we'll be there every step of the way. By building a diverse and inclusive team, we're better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.
BenefitsWe know you're going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you'll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people.
- Training: A full induction and on‑the‑job training.
- Holiday: You'll work hard at WG, so you'll be rewarded with full school holidays.
- Flexible benefits: You can increase or decrease benefits such as life insurance.
- Wellbeing: A host of wellbeing tools and advice, including employee assistance.
- Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an optician or dentist appointment and a host of high‑street discounts.
- Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities.
- A referral scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time you recommend a friend.
- Contributory pension scheme – matched up to 5%.
Designated Safeguarding Lead employer: The Witherslack Group
Contact Detail:
The Witherslack Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Designated Safeguarding Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Witherslack Group on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the ethos of Witherslack Group. Familiarise yourself with their approach to safeguarding and inclusion. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their culture too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around safeguarding scenarios. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Witherslack family.
We think you need these skills to ace Designated Safeguarding Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for safeguarding shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of children and young people with complex needs.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Designated Safeguarding Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience and qualifications, especially your CPD related to safeguarding and child protection. We love seeing how your skills match our needs!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate when candidates can communicate effectively, just like we expect you to do in the role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Witherslack Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Witherslack Group
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest safeguarding policies and practices. Be ready to discuss your comprehensive portfolio of CPD related to safeguarding and child protection, as this will show your commitment and expertise in the field.
✨Show Your Empathy
During the interview, demonstrate your genuinely empathetic approach. Share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported children with complex needs, highlighting your outstanding interpersonal skills.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, be prepared to talk about your experience working collaboratively with parents, staff, and external agencies. Highlight any specific instances where your communication skills made a positive impact.
✨Embrace Inclusion and Diversity
Witherslack Group values inclusion, so be ready to discuss how you champion diversity in your work. Share your thoughts on neurodiversity and how you can contribute to creating an environment where every child feels valued and respected.