Head of Education Safeguarding

Position Grade 7: £66,627 - £85,845
Working 36.5 hours per week
Permanent Consultation grade – subject to formal evaluation under Pay Equity Review

Overview

Are you a strategic safeguarding leader committed to ensuring children in education are safe, protected and able to thrive? Birmingham City Council is seeking an exceptional professional to lead our Education Safeguarding Service at a time of significant improvement, opportunity, and transformation. In this pivotal role, you will act as the Council’s champion for safeguarding within education, ensuring strong, effective arrangements are in place to protect all children and young people across Birmingham’s schools, settings, and wider learning environments. This is an opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of children and young people across Birmingham. You will join a committed leadership team, drive improvements in safeguarding practice, and shape the future of how we support schools and settings across the city.

Responsibilities

• Be a champion for all children in Birmingham, setting high expectations for safeguarding across the system.
• Lead a range of statutory and strategic safeguarding functions on behalf of the Local Authority, ensuring full compliance with legislation including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
• Support schools and settings to safeguard and protect the welfare of children.
• Contribute expert knowledge to safeguarding practice for key groups of vulnerable children.
• Shape and deliver the vision, strategy and business plans for the Education Safeguarding Service, engaging staff, schools, partners and stakeholders to ensure a consistent, high‑quality safeguarding response.
• Develop and maintain strong systems, policies, procedures, and management information to support continuous improvement and excellent service delivery.
• Provide professional expertise, advice and guidance to schools, leaders, and multi‑agency partners across Birmingham.
• Lead, motivate and support staff within the Education Safeguarding Service to achieve strong performance, positive culture, and high standards.

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent professional qualification in education, social care, or a related field.
• Significant leadership experience in safeguarding within education, social care, or local government.
• Deep knowledge of statutory safeguarding duties, child protection processes, and multi‑agency working within an education environment.
• Strong relationship‑building skills, with the ability to influence partners, provide constructive challenge, and promote a culture of safety and learning.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive practice in all aspects of safeguarding.

Recruitment and EEO

Birmingham City Council is committed to equality, diversity and inclusive practice. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve. For any informal enquiries please contact Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken. Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. We are an accredited Disability Confident Employer and are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. For any reasonable adjustments, accessibility needs, or support, let us know so we can support you through your application.

How to Apply

Please upload an up-to-date CV and Supporting Statement via attachments. The Supporting Statement should outline how you meet the criteria for the role through your personal qualities, skills and experience and include your motivation for applying to the post. Please keep the Personal Statement within 1500 words. Applications without a CV and Personal Statement will not be considered.