DSL - Safeguarding Lead
- Chipping Norton
- Permanent
Full Job Description
At OFG Education we allow for greater work life balance and extra time to do the things you love outside work
Position: DSL - Safeguarding Lead
Location: Park School, Chipping Norton, OX7 5QH
Salary: Up to £34,000 per annum (dependent on experience, not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.30am - 4.30pm
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start: January 2027
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
About the Role
We are seeking a dedicated Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to take strategic and operational responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across our school. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a pivotal role in ensuring every student feels safe, supported and able to thrive, while working closely with families, staff and external agencies to achieve the very best outcomes.
As our DSL, you will be at the heart of student wellbeing, providing expert guidance, leading safeguarding practice, and championing a culture where the welfare of children and young people is everyone's responsibility.
As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will lead all aspects of safeguarding and child protection throughout the school. Working closely with school leaders, pastoral teams, clinical professionals and external agencies, you will ensure that safeguarding remains at the forefront of school life.
You will act as the school's safeguarding expert, overseeing referrals, risk assessments, safeguarding records, staff training and compliance, while supporting students and families through challenges such as attendance, parenting concerns, safeguarding issues and early intervention needs.
This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day, ensuring that children, young people and families receive the support, protection and advocacy they need.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading safeguarding and child protection practice across the school.
- Managing referrals to children's social care, police, Channel and other relevant agencies.
- Working in partnership with families in a supportive, non-judgemental and solution-focused way.
- Overseeing student risk assessments alongside the clinical team to ensure they remain accurate and effective.
- Monitoring and tracking safeguarding actions, child protection plans and statutory processes.
- Leading and developing safeguarding practice across the team, including the supervision and support of Deputy DSLs.
- Ensuring safeguarding records, policies and procedures are robust, compliant and effectively maintained.
- Delivering safeguarding training, induction and ongoing development for staff.
- Leading on Prevent, online safety and wider safeguarding initiatives.
- Working collaboratively with external professionals to secure positive outcomes for students.
About You
- Safeguarding experience working with children and young people.
- Has a strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and child protection procedures.
- Can confidently manage complex safeguarding cases and multi-agency partnerships.
- Builds positive, professional relationships with students, families and external agencies.
- Has excellent communication, record-keeping and organisational skills.
- Is passionate about promoting the welfare, safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
- Holds, or is willing to undertake, relevant safeguarding and DSL training.
- Driving licence required
About Our School
Park School is an independent specialist day school in Chipping Norton supporting students with social, emotional and mental health needs. We provide a structured, nurturing environment where small class sizes and personalised learning help students re-engage with education.
Our dedicated team builds confidence, aspiration, and positive relationships, supporting both academic and social development. Through high expectations and strong pastoral care, we empower students to take pride in their achievements and prepare for life beyond school.
We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
OFG Education is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, OFG Education does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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