Tops Day Nurseries
Area Designated Safeguarding Lead (West Region)
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Area Designated Safeguarding Lead (West Region) – Internal Application Only
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Locations: Babbacombe, Bretonside, Corfe Mullen, Devonport, Exeter, Gillingham, Mini Mariners, Musgrove, Poole, Prince Rock, Salisbury, Stonehouse, Topsie Yeovil, Trowbridge, Warminster, Wimborne, Yeovil
Salary & Contract
- Salary: Additional £0.40 per hour
- Contracted Hours: 30–40 per week
Why Join Tops Day Nurseries?
Since 1990, we’ve been shaping a world where every child thrives—backed by great teams who thrive right alongside them. As the UK’s largest employee-owned childcare group, we offer:
- A voice and stake in your future, in a company where team members are valued and supported.
- 29 thriving nurseries across the South of England.
- World-class perks, including:
- Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries.
- Exclusive Blue Light Card and Each Person discounts (gyms, shopping, travel, leisure).
- Wellbeing support (covering NHS prescriptions, dental, optical).
- A generous holiday allowance, including your birthday off and a wellbeing day.
- Award-winning culture: -Named a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025. -Recipient of the 2023 King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.
About the Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Safeguarding Team as an Area Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)—supporting Senior Nursery Managers or Nursery Managers in the West region of the business.
Your Responsibilities
- Build strong relationships with nursery staff, managers, and senior leadership to provide:
- Consistent guidance, advice, and coaching on safeguarding matters.
- Training, support, and accountability in line with:
- Legislation (e.g., EYFS, Keeping Children Safe in Education).
- Company framework, internal policies, and organisational safeguarding approach.
- Key Accountabilities:
- Mentor local Nursery DSLs in safeguarding best practice.
- Liaise with Local Authority (LA) Social Care Teams and agencies (e.g., police, CPS) for child protection strategies.
- Ensure all nurseries under your region:
- Implement safeguarding policies effectively.
- Stay compliant with latest child protection legislation.
- Strategic Advice:
- Participate in termly Quality Assurance checks of safeguarding files and DSL KITS.
- Support Nursery DSLs in managing and escalating safeguarding cases within policies.
- Knowledge-Sharing & Training:
- Signpost staff to comprehensive resources (e.g., Ofsted safeguarding toolkit, NSPCC).
- Attend and support training sessions, industry conferences, and network meetings.
- Collaborate with senior leadership:
- Work with the Company DSL, Regional Manager, and Operations Director on both annual safeguarding programmes and presenting risks/incidents.
- Lead on corporate projects with safeguarding implications (e.g. reviews of training materials, coordination of multi-site training).
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Qualifications & Experience
- Essential:
- Level 3 NVQ/Diploma in Early Years Care and Education.
- Completed Safeguarding Level 3 training (minimum requirement).
- Current position as a Nursery DSL or direct experience as a Safeguarding Lead in a childcare setting.
- up-to-date Local Authority Safeguarding Training (renewed every 2 years).
- Technical expertise:
- Experience in briefing Staff, DSLs, and Senior Managers on safeguarding issues.
- Knowledge/direct experience of:
- Child in Need & Child Protection Conferences.
- Strategy discussions (court applications, multi-agency decisions).
- Early Intervention/Child First models of working.
- Soft skills:
- Outstanding verbal/written communication and influence skills.
- Ability to balance clear, decisive action with compassionate support for families.
- Organised and resilient: The ability to manage unpredictable cases, alongside routine training and audits.
- Ethical integrity & professional boundaries: Customer-focused while adhering to safeguarding principles.
- Commitment to Continuous Learning:
- Will and ability to undertake mandatory training, safeguarding CPF, CPD, and emerging themes in practice.
- Attendee of safeguarding meetings (i.e. COPFS, court evidence optional).
Get help with your application
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- Advantages:
- Knowledge of financial/commercial acumen (useful for assessing risks within budget)
- Familiarity with BBC Safeguarding procedures or Parmiter Report recommendations
We're Just as Passionate About Your Workplace
Every Tops team member is a leader in their field, shaping an outstanding nurturing environment for young children.
Apply now # ShapingHappierChildren
To join our outstanding team, please internal-only applicants has been restricted due to the operational nature of the role. Kindly indicate ‘Safeguarding Lead (West)’, when contacting HQ to arrange an application. Apply Now.
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