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- Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts to ensure the wellbeing of children with complex needs.
- Company: Join Witherslack Group, a leader in special education and care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full school holidays, medical cover, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: 3+ years as a Designated Safeguarding Lead with strong interpersonal skills.
- Other info: Inclusive environment celebrating diversity and offering excellent career growth.
The predicted salary is between 35412 - 45091 £ per year.
£35,412 - £45,091 + excellent benefits. Please note that applications for this role will close on Sunday 15th March, with interviews scheduled for Tuesday 24th March.
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.
You 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.
The Secret Garden School is based in Solihull, currently a single site school, extending to over two sites in September 2026. The school 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.
We 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 – plus you’ll get:
- 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: meaning you can increase/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 opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
- Beautiful working environments: with the very best facilities
- A recommend a friend scheme: that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
- Contributory pension scheme: matched up to 5%
Our young people and their families come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves. As well as having at least 3 years’ experience in a Designated Safeguarding Lead role, we will also look for:
- 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.
At 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.
The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.
Head of Safeguarding employer: Witherslack Group
Contact Detail:
Witherslack Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Safeguarding
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and safeguarding sectors. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet people from Witherslack Group or similar organisations. You never know who might put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common safeguarding scenarios and think about how you'd handle them. Practise your responses with a friend or in front of the mirror. Confidence is key, and we want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for safeguarding! During interviews, share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to child protection and wellbeing. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Witherslack Group family. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Safeguarding
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Safeguarding. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; share specific examples of how you've successfully handled safeguarding issues in the past. We want to see your problem-solving skills and empathy in action!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through! We value diversity and individuality, so don’t be afraid to express who you are and what makes you passionate about safeguarding and supporting young people.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding policies and practices. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you've successfully managed safeguarding issues in the past. This shows that you not only understand the theory but can apply it in real-life situations.
✨Show Your Empathy
As a Designated Safeguarding Lead, empathy is key. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to connect with children and families from diverse backgrounds. Share stories that demonstrate your understanding of their unique needs and how you've supported them.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This role involves working closely with various teams and agencies. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. Highlight your communication skills and how you build relationships with colleagues and external partners.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the school's approach to safeguarding and how they support their staff. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your values.
