Hays
Interim Designated Safeguarding Lead - Leadership
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Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Interim
Secondary Academy | Preston
Full-Time | Interim Assignment
Competitive Daily Rate | Via Hays Education Leadership
Hays Education Leadership is working in partnership with a secondary academy in Preston to recruit an experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) on an interim basis. This is an excellent opportunity for a safeguarding professional or senior leader who is passionate about ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding, pastoral care, and student welfare.
The academy is seeking a confident and knowledgeable safeguarding professional who can provide immediate support to the leadership team and lead on all aspects of safeguarding provision across the school.
The Role
As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will:
- Lead and manage all safeguarding and child protection procedures across the academy.
- Act as the school's main point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
- Ensure statutory safeguarding responsibilities are fully met in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and local authority guidance.
- Work closely with senior leaders, pastoral teams, external agencies, and parents/carers.
- Manage referrals to children's social care and other external agencies where appropriate.
- Maintain accurate safeguarding records and oversee case management.
- Deliver safeguarding advice, guidance, and training to staff.
- Support the development and implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Promote a strong culture of safeguarding and student wellbeing throughout the academy.
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About You
The successful candidate will have:
- Significant experience working within safeguarding in an educational setting.
- Previous experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, Deputy DSL, Assistant Headteacher, Pastoral Leader, Inclusion Lead, or similar leadership role.
- A thorough understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice.
- Experience of managing complex safeguarding cases and multi-agency working.
- Excellent communication, organisational, and record-keeping skills.
- The ability to provide calm, professional leadership in sensitive situations.
- A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
What Hays Can Offer
- Competitive daily rate paid weekly.
- Dedicated support from a specialist Hays Education Leadership consultant.
- Access to a wide range of interim and permanent leadership opportunities.
- Free safeguarding and compliance support.
- Opportunity to make an immediate impact within a supportive secondary academy.
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Safeguarding Statement
Hays Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, right-to-work checks, and all other safer recruitment requirements.
Apply Now
If you are an experienced safeguarding professional looking for your next interim leadership opportunity in Preston, we'd love to hear from you.
Contact James Hall, Senior Manager - Hays Education Leadership, for a confidential discussion about this opportunity.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk.
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