At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts to support children with complex needs and ensure their wellbeing.
- Company: Join Witherslack Group, a leader in special education and care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full school holidays, medical cover, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace celebrating diversity and offering excellent career growth opportunities.
- 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.
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 14th June and interviews will take place 24th June.
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 in Solihull employer: Witherslack Group
At Witherslack Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing life opportunities for children with special educational needs. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and professional growth, offering comprehensive training, flexible benefits, and a commitment to employee wellbeing. Located in Solihull, our beautiful working environment and strong community ethos make this an ideal place for passionate individuals to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Safeguarding in Solihull
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and safeguarding sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the Witherslack Group and understand their ethos and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission of enhancing life opportunities for children with complex needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion! During interviews, share specific examples of how you’ve made a difference in safeguarding roles. Highlight your empathetic approach and problem-solving skills – they’re looking for someone who truly cares!
✨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 genuinely interested in being part of the Witherslack Group family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Safeguarding in Solihull
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. We want to see how your skills and background can enhance our mission at Witherslack Group.
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for safeguarding shine through! Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in supporting children with complex needs. We love to see genuine passion!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate clarity as it reflects your communication skills, which are vital for this role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Witherslack Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest safeguarding policies and practices. Be ready to discuss your experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead and how you've handled complex situations in the past. This role is all about ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children, so show them you’re passionate and knowledgeable!
✨Showcase Your Empathy
In this role, empathy is key. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to connect with children and families from diverse backgrounds. Think about times when you’ve made a difference in someone’s life through understanding and support. This will demonstrate that you truly care about the wellbeing of the young people you'll be working with.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since you’ll be part of a leadership team, it’s important to show that you can work well with others. Prepare to discuss how you’ve collaborated with different teams or agencies in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve built strong relationships to achieve positive outcomes for children.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the school’s approach to safeguarding and how they support their staff. This shows that you’re genuinely interested in the role and want to ensure it’s the right fit for both you and the organisation.
