Package Description

Enhanced Pay | Term-Time + Additional Weeks | Hybrid

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Make a meaningful impact by safeguarding children and young people across a diverse and growing education provision.

Keys Inclusion Pathway is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Designated Safeguarding Lead / Safeguarding Manager to provide strategic and operational oversight of safeguarding across Keys Tuition and Keys Engage. This senior role is critical to ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding practice, compliance, and support for children, families, tutors, and teams operating across a wide geographical area.

You will act as the central point of contact for safeguarding matters, provide expert guidance to colleagues, manage safeguarding incidents, and lead on continuous improvement across the service.

This role is term-time plus additional weeks and involves close collaboration with internal leaders, tutors, families, and external agencies.

The Role

As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will:

• Fulfil the statutory role of Designated Safeguarding Lead across Keys Inclusion Pathway, including Keys Tuition and Keys Engage
• Provide safeguarding oversight across a wide geographical area, adapting practice to meet local authority expectations and contexts
• Act as a first point of contact for tutors seeking safeguarding advice and guidance on next steps
• Respond to safeguarding incidents via the electronic recording system in line with KCSIE and company policy
• Liaise with families, tutors, local authorities and external agencies, ensuring actions and outcomes are clearly recorded
• Make appropriate safeguarding referrals, including MARF, LADO and PREVENT
• Coordinate, develop and deliver safeguarding training, including annual updates aligned to the latest KCSIE guidance
• Complete and quality‑assure pupil risk assessments and behaviour plans in collaboration with tutors
• Line manage the safeguarding team and the Family Support Practitioner (FSP) team
• Report safeguarding concerns, trends and themes to senior leadership and your line manager
• Provide strategic leadership of the safeguarding function, identifying risks, trends and training needs
• Work collaboratively with the wider safeguarding team to ensure alignment with Keys Education policies
• Support the development and continuous improvement of safeguarding practice alongside the Operations Director
• Undertake additional duties as required to support the evolving needs of the service

Working Pattern

Term-time plus three additional weeks per year

Salary range: £45,000 – £50,000 (pro rata)

Monday to Friday working pattern

Willingness to travel is essential

Requirements

Essential:

• Experience working within the UK education system
• Significant experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, with relevant DSL training completed
• Thorough working knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy and best practice
• Experience supporting children and young people with SEND, or those educated outside a traditional classroom environment
• Strong understanding of KCSIE, safeguarding thresholds, and referral processes
• Experience building effective professional relationships with staff, families and external agencies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage workload, prioritise effectively and work under pressure
• Confident using Windows-based systems, including reports and documentation
• Strong leadership, decision‑making and people‑management skills
• Willingness to travel as required

Desirable:

• Honours degree
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Strategic, proactive and solution‑focused approach
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in complex situations

EPIC Benefits of Working for Keys Group

• NEST enhanced pension scheme
• Staff Referral Scheme – refer a friend and split a £500 referral bonus
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Access to a Blue Light Discount Card
• Fully funded training and professional development
• Enhanced pay scales based on experience and qualifications
• Employee benefits and wellbeing support platform
• Life assurance

Safeguarding Statement

Keys Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. This role is subject to:

• An enhanced DBS check
• Appropriate employment references
• Online searches in accordance with statutory guidance

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

KIPT

Keys Group