Location: Abbeywood Community School
Post: Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Contract type: Fixed Term until 17th July 2026
Pay Scale: £40,777 to £44,075 per annum
We are seeking an experienced and committed Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead to play a key role in protecting and promoting the welfare of our students.
Working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will help to maintain a strong culture of vigilance and information sharing across the school. You will confidently deputise for the DSL when required, taking the lead on safeguarding and child protection matters, responding promptly to concerns and disclosures, and ensuring appropriate actions are taken to reduce risk and support vulnerable children.
The role involves leading early help and assessment processes, managing and recording safeguarding cases, liaising with families and external agencies, and contributing to multi agency meetings and child protection planning. You will act as a source of advice and expertise for staff, support safeguarding referrals, oversee the accurate use of CPOMS, and contribute to audits, reporting and continuous improvement of safeguarding practice.
We are looking for someone with strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and procedures, experience of multi agency working, excellent communication and record keeping skills, and the confidence to challenge practice where necessary in the best interests of children.
You will be joining a strong and experienced safeguarding team. With a Designated Safeguarding Lead already in post, you will receive guidance, professional support, and external supervision to help you fulfil the responsibilities of the role with confidence. As this is a temporary post, we also welcome applications from internal candidates who wish to undertake the role as a temporary secondment, with the opportunity to return to their substantive post.
Early applications are recommended as we reserve the right to close and interview before the published closing date.
Our Philosophy as an Employer
Our overarching aim and vision is for our schools to deliver an exceptional education for children and young people, ensuring that students have access to the highest standards of teaching, resources and learning opportunities.
We are ambitious for our academies. We live in a demanding educational landscape that brings with it challenges, but also opportunities. We are excited by the opportunities for talented and inspirational educators to make an impact and create a powerful legacy.
We seek applicants for our roles who can align with our vision and have the talent, drive and determination to deliver that vision successfully. We support all our schools with our leadership and management, school improvement, legal, financial, administrative, admissions, marketing, premises, safeguarding and HR expertise.
We think our roles are tremendously exciting ones to perform supported by the expert Olympus team. We are inspired by our academies’ journey and consider it a great privilege to design and develop a 21st century school education. We will be very interested to hear your ideas and aspirations too. We are looking for staff who will deliver an exceptional education for the young people in our care.
Benefits
• Pension Scheme
• Flexible and Family Friendly policies
• Annual pay progression opportunities
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Corporate membership of Bristol Zoo Project at reduced rates
• Free onsite parking
• Coaching/Counselling services
• Termly and annual staff recognition and awards scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
Closing date: 9am, Tuesday 28th April 2026
Date of Interviews: TBC
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Applications
We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools when preparing their application. The Trust does not prohibit the use of AI; however, any use must be appropriate and must not undermine the principles of safer recruitment, as set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (Part 3). Applications must be an honest and accurate reflection of your own experience, skills, values, and suitability to work with children and young people.
Our recruitment processes are designed to assess personal suitability, integrity, and safeguarding understanding. Any inconsistencies between application information, references, and interview responses may be explored further. Providing misleading or misrepresented information may result in an application being withdrawn or an offer of employment being rescinded.
The Olympus Academy Trust - Abbeywood Community School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants will be required to undergo security and vetting processes appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure & Barring Service. We have a suite of safeguarding procedures, policies and guidance for all of our staff and volunteers to ensure we actively promote children and young people’s welfare and safety. Moreover, as part of the safer recruitment process we will carry out online searches as part of the recruitment process. Details of online accounts will be requested at application stage.
We apply Equal, Diversity and Inclusion at all stages of recruitment and selection. We carry out shortlisting, interviewing and selection without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Those with disabilities meeting the minimum requirements for the post will be shortlisted and will make reasonable adjustments to ensure they are not disadvantaged during the interview process. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, as they are under-represented within the Trust.
We offer the opportunity of flexible working patterns where possible to assist with a work/life balance and welcome applications from people wishing to work on a part-time or job share basis for all roles including full time. We are happy to discuss flexible working from day one.