Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Location: Northampton
Salary: £29,540 - £32,597 FTE (Pro Rata)
Contract: Permanent | 37 Hours per Week | 43 Weeks per Year
Start Date: September 2026

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead - Make a Lasting Impact in Education

Are you an experienced safeguarding professional looking for a rewarding opportunity where you can make a lasting impact?

Tradewind Recruitment is proud to be working with a welcoming and inclusive secondary school in Northampton to recruit a dedicated Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL). This permanent role offers the chance to work alongside an experienced safeguarding team, supporting students, families and staff while helping to ensure every young person feels safe, valued and supported.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in safeguarding, pastoral care or student welfare who is passionate about protecting children and making a real difference within a thriving school community.

About the Role

Working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will play a key role in ensuring the school maintains the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection. You'll help manage safeguarding concerns from initial disclosure through to resolution, ensuring appropriate support, accurate record keeping and effective multi-agency working throughout.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the management of safeguarding concerns, child protection cases and early help interventions.
• Monitoring safeguarding records, ensuring all documentation and chronologies are accurate, compliant and up to date.
• Making referrals to Children's Social Care, MASH, Early Help and other external support services where appropriate.
• Working closely with staff, students, parents and external professionals to coordinate support for vulnerable children.
• Monitoring safeguarding systems, tracking concerns and ensuring timely follow-up actions.
• Completing safeguarding risk assessments and contributing to support plans for individual students.
• Supporting the delivery of safeguarding training and staff inductions.
• Attending multi-agency meetings, child protection conferences and professional meetings when required.
• Analysing safeguarding information to identify trends and support continuous improvement.
• Promoting positive outcomes for vulnerable students, including Children in Care, those with SEND, Pupil Premium students and other identified groups.

The Successful Candidate Will Have

• Previous experience working within a school safeguarding, pastoral or student welfare role.
• A strong understanding of current safeguarding legislation and child protection procedures.
• Experience working alongside external agencies and supporting vulnerable children and families.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage a varied caseload effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience maintaining confidential records and producing accurate reports.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office and safeguarding recording systems such as CPOMS (or similar).
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths. Additional safeguarding qualifications or relevant professional development would be advantageous.
• A calm, resilient and compassionate approach with the ability to build positive relationships across the school community.

What the School Offers

• A supportive and collaborative leadership team.
• A strong commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development.
• Opportunities to further develop your safeguarding knowledge and leadership skills.
• The chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people every day.
• A welcoming school community where safeguarding is at the heart of everything they do.

How to Apply

If you're ready to take the next step in your safeguarding career and join a school committed to making a positive difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today by submitting your CV, or contact Tradewind Recruitment for more information about this exciting opportunity.

Tradewind Recruitment is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references in line with safer recruitment procedures.

Tradewind Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.