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- Tasks: Lead safeguarding initiatives and ensure a safe environment for all students.
- Company: Birchwood Community High School, a vibrant and inclusive educational institution.
- Benefits: Supportive leadership, professional development, and flexible work options during holidays.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team committed to child welfare and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by promoting safety and well-being.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding, strong leadership skills, and willingness to undertake DSL training.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Birchwood Community High School is a vibrant and inclusive secondary school committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential. We pride ourselves on our strong pastoral care, positive relationships, and a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
We are seeking an experienced, highly motivated, and knowledgeable Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to join our school. The successful candidate will take strategic and operational responsibility for all aspects of safeguarding and child protection across the school. This is a key leadership position requiring a deep understanding of statutory safeguarding guidance, strong partnership working skills, and the ability to act decisively in the best interests of children.
Key Responsibilities- Lead on all safeguarding and child protection matters in line with statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
- Act as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
- Work closely with external agencies including children’s social care, the local authority, and other statutory bodies.
- Ensure accurate, secure, and confidential record keeping.
- Provide safeguarding advice, support, and training to staff.
- Promote a culture of vigilance and safeguarding awareness across the school community.
- Contribute to safeguarding audits, policy development, and compliance monitoring.
- Significant experience in safeguarding and child protection within an educational setting.
- Up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
- DSL training (or willingness to undertake training immediately).
- Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
- The ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and resilience.
- A supportive and collaborative leadership team.
- Ongoing professional development and training.
- A strong safeguarding culture embedded across the school.
- Opportunities to shape and develop safeguarding strategy.
- Opportunity to work from home during the school holidays.
Birchwood Community High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory references, and pre-employment checks in line with statutory guidance.
Key dates- Closing date for application: Friday 27 February 2026 9am
- Interview date: Week commencing Monday 02 March 2026.
Birchwood Community High School, Brock Road, Birchwood, Warrington, WA3 7PT
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Birchwood Community High School in Warrington employer: Warrington Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Warrington Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Birchwood Community High School in Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the education sector, especially those who have experience in safeguarding. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet or can give you a heads-up on what schools are looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your safeguarding knowledge. Familiarise yourself with the latest statutory guidance and be ready to discuss how you've handled safeguarding issues in the past. We want to see your passion for keeping children safe!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, highlight instances where you've led safeguarding initiatives or trained staff. This will demonstrate your capability to take charge as a Designated Safeguarding Lead.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Birchwood Community High School in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead role. Highlight your experience in safeguarding and child protection, and show us how you can lead on these matters effectively.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We want to see how your skills and experiences align with our school’s values and the specific requirements of the role. Personalise your cover letter and CV to reflect this.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a DSL, you'll need strong leadership and communication skills. Use your application to demonstrate how you've successfully led teams or initiatives in the past, especially in safeguarding contexts.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to be part of our community!
How to prepare for a job interview at Warrington Borough Council
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest safeguarding legislation and guidance, especially 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand its importance.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully handled safeguarding issues. This could include working with external agencies or leading training sessions for staff. Real-life stories will make your experience relatable and memorable.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a DSL, you'll need to lead by example. Think about how you've motivated teams or influenced change in previous positions. Be ready to share how you can promote a culture of vigilance and awareness within the school community.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the school's safeguarding culture and how they support their DSL. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.