Job Title: Designated Safeguarding Lead (With SEMH Expertise)
Actual Annual Salary: £35,692 - £38,080 (Based on hours and working weeks)
Full Time Equivalent Salary: £39,649 - £42, 301 (CLF Grade F). Based on 37 hours per week, all year round.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday / Term Time Only, plus INSETS & 10 additional days
Provisional Start Date: 1 June 2026 pending completion of pre-employment checks
We are looking for a Designated Safeguarding lead with extensive knowledge of SEMH.
As the DSL you will act as the main point of contact with operational responsibility within the academy for safeguarding and child protection in line with statutory requirements. You will also lead the strategic development in student wellbeing services including defining the culture, setting and monitoring standards ensuring the continuous improvement of Social Emotional and Mental within the provision, whilst overseeing SEMH interventions.
If you are committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable young people and shaping a culture where every student feels safe, supported and understood, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 27th April. The start date will be confirmed following pre‑employment checks and may align with the half‑term period. However, an earlier start would be welcomed if possible.
About you:
You will have:
- An understanding of children's education and emotional needs.
- Experience of working with young people with SEMH needs.
- Knowledge and understanding of current and national issues in relation to safeguarding.
- In depth knowledge of the current legislation and expectations of schools towards CIC and Previously Looked After Children (PLAC).
- Knowledge of best practice and current educational thinking specifically in the areas of SEMH, Trauma and ACEs.
- Knowledge of improvement planning.
- Knowledge and understanding of LSCBs and working with local authorities including the LADO.
- Full, clean driving licence or ability to travel to other sites or for home visits. Business insurance may be required.
About CLF Post 16:
The CLF Post 16 Academy is situated in South Gloucestershire, hosted at John Cabot Academy, and serves the students of Bristol across two local authorities. We are a centre of education for ages 16-19 offering a range of level 1, 2 and 3 vocational courses and a full breadth of A Level qualifications.
We are an Academy that values the diversity of our rich community and expects the highest of standards for our students and staff body. The unwavering ambition we hold is for students to flourish during their time of study with us, access an exciting and enriched experience, develop a resilience to learning and achieve their full potential.
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in the recent inspection, describing the provision as inclusive and aspirational. High quality teaching with a comprehensive careers programme support students to thrive at CLF Post 16; the provision’s ethos of “Care, Believe, Achieve” is fully realised. Students, including those who have previously had negative educational experiences, thrive with CLF Post 16, this is the result of thoughtful academic and pastoral support along with effective and strong safeguarding systems.
Why work at CLF?
We are a diverse and inclusive community of 36 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.
We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
What we can offer you:
- Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Generous annual leave.
- A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.
- Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
- A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
- Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!
Recruitment timeline:
• Closing Date: 19 April 2026 @11.59pm
• Short-listing: 20 April 2026
• Interviews: W/C 27 April 2026
We welcome visits from potential candidates. If you would like to arrange a school visit prior to the closing date, please contact the academy/site directly to arrange a suitable appointment.
As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs – a full education and employment history must be provided through our application form.
We are unable to offer sponsorship with this role.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.
