Lead for Safeguarding in Education

Permanent
Full Time, 37 hours per week

Are you passionate about safeguarding children and young people? Do you have the strategic vision and operational expertise to lead statutory safeguarding duties across Inclusion & Learning, alongside Children’s Social Care in Devon?

This is an exciting time to be part of the development of a new service supporting the education of our children and young people in Devon.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced partner to take on the role of Lead forEducation Safeguarding. This is a pivotal position within Devon, working at the heart of multi-agency safeguarding arrangements with the Devon Safeguarding Children's Partnership, Inclusion & Learning, Social Care and Health, supporting families, schools, colleges and education providers to keep children safe.

This strategic role is required to work effectively across Inclusion & Learning and Children’s Social Care (CSC) as a Lead forEducation Safeguarding in ensuring statutory safeguarding duties are delivered and fulfilled.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership on safeguarding in education across Devon.
• Support and challenge schools and settings to meet statutory safeguarding duties.
• Represent education in multi-agency safeguarding forums and panels.
• Lead on safeguarding audits, training, and policy development.
• Offer expert advice on complex safeguarding cases, complaints and allegations management.

The role will also focus on these areas:

• Building strong interagency relationships; Develop mutual understanding of each other’s roles, pressures, and statutory duties.
• Embedding education in Multi-Agency Safeguarding Processes; Advocate for the voice of the school and the child’s educational experience to be considered in all planning.
• Sharing and using Information Effectively; Promote timely and proportionate information sharing between schools and CSC. Use data from CSC (e.g. number of children on CP/CiN plans) to inform safeguarding priorities in education.
• Providing Professional Challenge and Support; Where necessary, challenge decisions that may not fully consider the child’s educational needs or safeguarding risks. Offer consultation to social workers on school dynamics, attendance, and behaviour as indicators of risk.
• Delivering Joint Local Authority Training and Development; Promote shared language and understanding of safeguarding thresholds, trauma-informed practice, and contextual safeguarding. Work alongside the Devon Social Work Academy.
• Participating in Strategic Forums; ensure education’s role is visible in local safeguarding audits, reviews, and learning events.
• Supporting Schools in navigating CSC Systems: Help DSLs understand: How to make effective referrals / What to expect from CSC responses/ How to escalate concerns if levels of need aren’t met.

About You

• A qualified partner with significant experience in safeguarding within education or Children’s Services.
• Deep understanding of Keeping Children Safe in Education, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and statutory local safeguarding procedures.
• Strong leadership, communication, and partnership-building skills.
• Able to influence, challenge, and support at all levels.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a passionate and committed team making a real difference.
• Work in a supportive environment with opportunities for professional development.
• Help shape the future of safeguarding in education across our community.

For an informal discussion please contact our Head of Educational Achievement & Belonging – Virtual School, Emma Phillips onemma.phillips@devon.gov.uk.

How to apply

Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Please click here to see the Job Description

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council’s use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required.For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
• This role requires a DBS disclosure.