Bedford School
Director of Safeguarding
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Director of Safeguarding
Bedford School is seeking to appoint an experienced, highly motivated and exceptional safeguarding professional to join the School in the newly created role of Director of Safeguarding.
This is a significant leadership position within one of the country's leading independent day and boarding schools. The successful candidate will provide operational leadership of safeguarding and child protection across the Prep and Upper School and will act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), trained to the same standard as the Designated Safeguarding Lead in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026.
Working in tandem with the Deputy Head, Pastoral (Upper School) and Assistant Head, Pastoral (Prep School), the Director of Safeguarding will provide operational leadership of safeguarding across the Prep and Upper Schools. Together, they will lead the management of safeguarding concerns, referrals, casework and interventions, ensuring a consistent and effective approach across the School. In conjunction with the Deputy Head, Pastoral (Upper School) and Assistant Head, Pastoral (Prep School), the Director of Safeguarding will help ensure appropriate safeguarding leadership and decision-making is maintained at all times, including during term time, outside normal school hours and throughout school holiday periods, with clear arrangements for cover, continuity and oversight. In partnership with Housemasters and Housemistresses, boarding staff, the medical team, counsellors, governors and external agencies, the postholder will provide expert advice, oversee safeguarding systems and records, support vulnerable pupils and help ensure that safeguarding remains central to every aspect of school life.
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The role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the continued development of safeguarding provision within a thriving and ambitious day and boarding community which is entering an exciting new phase through its transition to co-education.
We are seeking an individual with substantial safeguarding experience, excellent judgement, strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to achieving the very best outcomes for children and young people. The successful candidate will be an outstanding communicator, able to build positive relationships with pupils, parents, colleagues and external professionals, whilst maintaining a child-centred approach at all times.
The selection process will involve an application and interviews for shortlisted candidates.
If you wish to have an informal discussion about the role, the Deputy Head, Pastoral, Rachel Mellor, would be happy to talk to prospective applicants. She can be contacted at: rachelmellor@bedfordschool.org.uk.
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The role will commence according to the applicant’s availability.
Closing Date: Monday 19th October 2026
Applications before the deadline are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview candidates prior to the advertised closing date.
If you have any queries regarding this vacancy, please email HR@harpurtrust.org.uk or ring 01234 369500.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
Bedford School is part of The HarpurTrust.
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