Safeguarding Lead – Secondary School – Hackney

Start Date: As soon as possible
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £40,000–£48,000 per annum, depending on experience

School Information

A well-established Secondary School in Hackney is seeking an experienced and committed Safeguarding Lead to join its student support and pastoral structure.

The school serves a diverse community and is committed to ensuring that every student has access to a safe, inclusive and ambitious educational environment. It places student welfare at the heart of its approach and recognises the importance of identifying concerns early and providing appropriate support.

The school has clear safeguarding procedures and expects all staff to contribute to a strong safeguarding culture. The successful candidate will work closely with senior leaders, teachers, pastoral staff, students, families and external professionals.

This is a key position within the school and would suit an experienced safeguarding professional who is confident handling complex information and coordinating appropriate responses.

The Role

The Safeguarding Lead will oversee safeguarding procedures and provide professional guidance to staff across the school.

You will manage safeguarding concerns, ensure records are maintained accurately and work with relevant colleagues and external agencies when further intervention is required.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate excellent judgement, discretion and organisational skills.

You will also contribute to safeguarding training, policy development and the ongoing development of safeguarding practice across the school.

Key Responsibilities

• Acting as a central point of contact for safeguarding concerns.

• Managing safeguarding referrals and concerns appropriately.

• Maintaining accurate and confidential safeguarding records.

• Ensuring safeguarding information is recorded promptly.

• Working closely with senior leadership.

• Providing guidance to teaching and support staff.

• Supporting staff with safeguarding procedures and reporting.

• Contributing to staff safeguarding training.

• Supporting safeguarding induction for new employees.

• Liaising with parents and carers where appropriate.

• Working with external safeguarding agencies.

• Attending relevant professional meetings.

• Monitoring safeguarding actions and outcomes.

• Supporting vulnerable students.

• Identifying patterns or recurring concerns.

• Contributing to safeguarding audits and reviews.

• Ensuring school safeguarding procedures are followed consistently.

• Supporting safer working practices.

• Maintaining appropriate confidentiality.

• Keeping up to date with safeguarding guidance and school requirements.

Working With Students

The Safeguarding Lead will need to establish professional and trusting relationships with students.

Students may approach you directly with concerns, or information may be passed to you by members of staff.

You will need to listen carefully, respond appropriately and ensure concerns are managed according to the school's procedures.

The role requires strong professional boundaries and the ability to remain objective when dealing with sensitive circumstances.

Working With Staff

You will provide ongoing advice and guidance to colleagues across the school.

This includes helping staff understand when a concern should be reported, how information should be recorded and what their responsibilities are.

The successful candidate should be approachable and willing to support colleagues while also being confident challenging practice when required.

External Agencies

Where appropriate, you will communicate with external safeguarding professionals and agencies.

You will ensure information is shared appropriately, accurately and in line with school procedures.

You may also attend meetings and contribute relevant information regarding individual students.

Excellent record keeping will be essential throughout this process.

Safeguarding Training

The successful candidate will contribute to maintaining strong safeguarding awareness across the school.

You may assist with staff briefings, induction sessions and ongoing safeguarding training.

The aim will be to ensure staff understand their responsibilities and feel confident reporting concerns.

Requirements

• Significant experience in safeguarding or child protection.

• Previous experience within an education or child-focused environment.

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding procedures.

• Excellent professional judgement.

• Strong communication skills.

• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.

• Excellent organisational and record-keeping skills.

• Experience working with external agencies.

• Ability to support and advise colleagues.

• Confidence communicating with parents and carers.

• Ability to remain calm under pressure.

• Strong IT skills.

• Commitment to student safety and wellbeing.

• Relevant safeguarding qualifications or training.

Personal Qualities

The school is looking for someone who is professional, calm and highly dependable.

You must have the confidence to make appropriate decisions and escalate concerns when necessary.

The successful candidate will demonstrate integrity, discretion and a genuine commitment to ensuring students are safe and supported.

Why Join the School?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established Secondary School in Hackney and take on a significant safeguarding position within a supportive professional environment.

You will work closely with senior leaders and colleagues across the school and play a central role in maintaining a strong culture of student safety and wellbeing.

Application

To apply for the Safeguarding Lead position, please send your CV as soon as possible. Applications are being considered immediately, with suitable candidates contacted promptly regarding interview arrangements.