Guardian Jobs
Director of Safeguarding, TCES
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Director of Safeguarding, TCES
Director of Safeguarding
At TCES, safeguarding is not a discrete function. It is expressed through inclusion practices, attendance systems, complaints handling, staff conduct, and family engagement. This role intentionally brings these elements together to ensure safeguarding is coherent, proactive, and system-wide.
About the Role
Safeguarding children and promoting their well-being is at the heart of our practice, embedded within the TCES Pillars of Excellence. It reflects an attitude of mind, belief system, and way of thinking that prioritises pupil well-being in every decision.
Our safeguarding policies and systems—such as safer recruitment, behaviour management, child protection, and whistleblowing procedures—arise from this core belief. While they are critical tools, they serve to sustain a culture of safeguarding across the organisation and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
A commitment to safeguarding extends not only to pupils but also to staff and adults who work within our system, fostering safe, inclusive, and positive educational outcomes for all young people.
As the company strategic lead on all aspects of safeguarding, the Director of Safeguarding oversees the effective implementation of organisational safeguarding arrangements, ensuring a holistic, compliant, and proactive safeguarding system that centres on pupil and staff well-being.
Core Responsibilities
- Oversee holistic safeguarding by breaking down, quality-assuring, and aligning safeguarding measures across the organisation.
- Work closely with schools and services, combining support, challenge, and oversight to strengthen safeguarding practice without displacing local leadership.
- Ensure adherence to UK legislation and statutory guidance, including:
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025)
- Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026)
- As Company Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), guide senior leaders in effective multi-agency working and ensure alignment with safeguarding policies across all schools and services.
- Oversee the Assistant Heads of Inclusion (school-based DSLs) to maintain consistency in safeguarding compliance.
- Collaborate with social workers to uphold social work practice and ethics, focusing on statutory safeguarding processes as outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025).
- Support the continuing development of FAST (Families and Schools Working Together), actively engaging parents and carers in pupil welfare and education.
- Proactively assess risks, implement safer recruitment practices, and enhance staff induction while delivering training and support to improve safeguarding practices.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About TCES
The Complete Education Solution (TCES) is a long-established provider of therapeutic education, specialising in supporting neurodiverse children and young people (ages 7–19) with SEND, particularly those with autism, social emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, and associated disorders.
Many of our pupils have experienced multiple placement breakdowns, trauma, and frequent exclusions, often requiring highly individualised and holistic therapeutic programmes. We provide specialist care through:
- Two secondary schools
- A Nurture Primary school
- Outreach services
- A National Online School
Our multi-disciplinary teams integrate clinical, educational, and social work expertise to deliver personalised, child-centric support.
Role Details
Title: Director of Safeguarding
** Salary:** £77,232 to £90,240 per annum (TCES Salary Band 2)
Location: TCES Central Services, Wimbledon (with up to 2 days hybrid working)
- Regular travel required to all TCES sites across London.
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Requirements
Candidates must have the following essential qualifications and experience:
- A qualified social worker with current Social Work England (SWE) registration.
- Senior or executive-level experience in:
- Paediatric social work
- MASH Teams
- Therapeutic or mental health sectors
- As a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or Trust-wide Director of Safeguarding
- Proven experience driving high-quality safeguarding strategies and initiatives for vulnerable, complex groups in education.
- Deep understanding of safeguarding in an educational context, with a track record of ensuring compliance with:
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025)
- Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026)
- Experience in supporting families and carer networks for neurodiverse young people, particularly in:
- Improving pupil attendance and engagement
- Creating safe environments
- Proactive and adaptive leadership: Skilled in mentoring multidisciplinary teams, independent working, and making data-driven improvements.
- Experience in coaching and developing staff practice to enhance safeguarding effectiveness.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desirable Traits
- Champion of social work ethos aligned with TCES’s values:
- Getting the best out of each other
- Developing a strong work ethic
- Embracing difference and fostering inclusion
- Actively listening and involving everyone
- Never giving up on each other
- Professional resilience and role-modelling of outstanding conduct.
Benefits
TCES offers a compelling package beyond competitive remuneration:
Core Benefits
- 38 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)
- The opportunity to shape positive outcomes for pupils with SEND, SEMH, and ASC
- Collaborative multi-disciplinary team with expertise in clinical, inclusion, and education
- A visionary Governing Board and leadership team committed to growth, supporting more disadvantaged young people across a wider area.
Career & Professional Support
- Comprehensive CPD opportunities, including:
- Learning & Development Plans for all staff
- Options to pursue Ofqual-registered qualifications (e.g., QTS, QTLS, NPQs, therapeutic education training)
- Level 3 – 5 qualifications in Therapeutic Education
- Mandatory Level 3 Award in Therapeutic Education and Group Process for pupil-facing staff, provided as part of the induction process.
Wellbeing & Support
- Regular half-termly staff wellbeing days
- Valued Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), counselling support, and financial benefits, including:
- Medical cost assistance
- Wearable technology grants
- Enabling improvements to home environment for dependency and/or disability support
- Exclusive rewards platform
- Gym & Active Fitness discounts
- Private pension scheme and additional health benefits
How to Apply
Please submit an application form for consideration. All shortlisted candidates will complete:
- A formal application form
- A self-disclosure form (as part of safer recruitment practices in Education)
Commitments & Requirements
- TCES remains fully committed to safeguarding and expects all staff to uphold the same standards.
- Pre-appointment checks required:
- Verified references
- Medical clearance
- Satisfactory DBS disclosure
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location