Designated Safeguarding & Wellbeing Lead

The purpose of this role is to lead the development and delivery of Safeguarding at the School. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) will take lead responsibility for all child protection/safeguarding matters arising in School and will support children, families and staff in relation to any safeguarding or child protection issues as well as taking the lead when working with the appropriate external agencies. In addition, they will be responsible for the development of the whole school well-being programme. The successful candidate will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and oversee the day-to-day operational aspects of safeguarding at the school and provide support to students, families and staff as appropriate, as well as dealing with the appropriate external agencies. The post-holder will also develop and manage appropriate policies, be responsible for compliance control within the safeguarding arena and deliver in house training from time-to-time. In terms of the well-being programme, they will develop the current offer across the whole school, in co-operation with various department staff including those from Healthcare, Academic, Pastoral and Artistic where appropriate. CONTRACT TERMS: Hours: 0.8 FTE - 4 days per week (Term time only) Salary: c£45,000 per annum (£36,000 FTE) Location: Covent Garden, London and White Lodge, Richmond Park Interview Date: Applications will be reviewed on submission. Early applications are advised. Start Date: May/September 2025 Additionally, there is a requirement to be available during the School's Intensive Courses. Main duties will include: Safeguarding & Child Protection:

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in line with safeguarding policies, ensuring the welfare of students by committing resources, arranging training, and supporting staff
• Maintain an overview of safeguarding within the school, liaising with local statutory agencies and monitoring policy effectiveness
• Oversee online safety as the Digital Safety Officer, ensuring robust policies and student protection measures
• Maintain detailed, accurate, and secure records of safeguarding concerns, allegations, and referrals
• Regularly liaise with school counsellors and psychologists to ensure student wellbeing and information-sharing
• Communicate with the Board of Governors and relevant sub-committees, providing termly safeguarding updates
• Lead annual safeguarding audits and reviews, implementing necessary improvements
• Act as the school's lead for Prevent Duty, ensuring compliance and safeguarding against radicalisation
• Attend Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meetings and other relevant leadership forums to discuss safeguarding matters
• Keep the Assistant Principal (Pastoral & Welfare) and the Academic & Pastoral Principal informed about safeguarding concerns and allegations
• Lead awareness campaigns on safeguarding and child protection within the school
• Manage staff referrals to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and work closely with senior leadership on allegations involving staff
• Ensure prompt referrals to the police when required
• Provide expert support and advice to staff on safeguarding procedures and risk assessments.
Training & Policy Development:
• Manage safeguarding policy development, compliance, and updates
• Ensure appropriate support for students at risk, including those on Child Protection registers or Child in Need Plans
• Lead safeguarding and child protection training for all new and visiting staff, including Governors
• Organise whole-school child protection/safeguarding training at least biannually and maintain training records
• Deliver regular safeguarding updates and termly newsletters for staff and parents
• Oversee online safety education for staff, parents, and pupils, ensuring quick resolution of student safety alerts.
Wellbeing & Pastoral Care:
• Develop and implement a whole-school wellbeing strategy, ensuring alignment with the school's values and priorities
• Support the PSHRE programme at both White Lodge and Upper School
• Work with relevant staff and external agencies to provide targeted wellbeing support
• Deliver staff training on wellbeing strategies and effective pastoral care
• Coordinate the Integrated Healthy Dancer Programme at White Lodge, including some delivery
• Oversee the STEER Tracking system and psychology aspects of student profiling (e.g., Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire)
• Foster a positive school culture by promoting student voice, organising wellbeing events, and integrating wellbeing practices into daily school life
• Support the Assistant Principal in delivering group interventions to address emotional, social, or behavioural concerns
• Work with house parents to implement wellbeing initiatives
• Chair the Safeguarding Strategy Group and implement recommendations from internal and external safeguarding reviews
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required within the scope of the role.
PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Criteria:
• Professional experience working with students aged 11 to 19 years
• Educated to undergraduate degree level or equivalent (subject not specified)
• Level 3 Safeguarding Qualification
• Strong working knowledge of MYCONCERN, Confide, or similar safeguarding platforms
• Proactive and flexible approach, willing to engage in all areas of safeguarding and child development
• Excellent communication and listening skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with students, parents, staff, and the wider dance community
• Skilled in establishing rapport, maintaining boundaries, and asserting authority when necessary
• Resilient under pressure, demonstrating high levels of integrity
• A strong ambassador for the school, promoting its values and ethos externally
• Highly organised with strong problem-solving skills
• A collaborative team player with leadership abilities
• Experience in line managing staff
• Previous experience working within a multidisciplinary team
• Able to work independently, manage a caseload, and use initiative
• Strong IT skills, including digital record-keeping
• Committed to personal and professional development for themselves and their team.
Desirable Criteria:
• Experience working in a school or educational setting
• Professional line-management experience
• Experience in policy development
• An empathy with the school's aims and ethos.
This job information cannot be all encompassing. It is inevitable over time that the emphasis of the job will change without changing the general character of the job or the level of duties and responsibilities entailed. Consequently, this information will be periodically reviewed, revised and updated in consultation with the post holder to reflect appropriate changes.


• Professional experience working with students aged 11 to 19 years
• Educated to undergraduate degree level or equivalent (subject not specified)
• Level 3 Safeguarding Qualification
• Strong working knowledge of MYCONCERN, Confide, or similar safeguarding platforms
• Proactive and flexible approach, willing to engage in all areas of safeguarding and child development
• Excellent communication and listening skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with students, parents, staff, and the wider dance community
• Skilled in establishing rapport, maintaining boundaries, and asserting authority when necessary
• Resilient under pressure, demonstrating high levels of integrity
• A strong ambassador for the school, promoting its values and ethos externally
• Highly organised with strong problem-solving skills
• A collaborative team player with leadership abilities
• Experience in line managing staff
• Previous experience working within a multidisciplinary team
• Able to work independently, manage a caseload, and use initiative
• Strong IT skills, including digital record-keeping
• Committed to personal and professional development for themselves and their team.
Desirable Criteria:
• Experience working in a school or educational setting
• Professional line-management experience
• Experience in policy development
• An empathy with the school's aims and ethos.
This job information cannot be all encompassing. It is inevitable over time that the emphasis of the job will change without changing the general character of the job or the level of duties and responsibilities entailed. Consequently, this information will be periodically reviewed, revised and updated in consultation with the post holder to reflect appropriate changes.