Job Opportunity: Deputy Safeguarding Lead with the responsibility of Lead Pastoral Officer
Are you a dedicated professional with a passion for safeguarding and student wellbeing? St Mary's CE Middle School is seeking a Deputy Safeguarding Lead & Pastoral Officer to join our caring and committed team. This is a vital role supporting the emotional, social, and academic development of pupils aged 9–13 while ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding are upheld across the school.
We are also open to applications from current Designated Safeguarding Leads, who may be interested in taking role of Designated Safeguarding Lead with the role of Pastoral Officer within our school (an increase in pay will reflect this responsibility).
About Us
St Mary's is a thriving and inclusive Middle School where every child is known, valued, and supported. We are proud of our strong pastoral ethos and our unwavering commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students.
The Role
This is a dual role combining the responsibilities of a Deputy Safeguarding Lead and Pastoral Officer, working closely with senior leaders, teaching staff, students, parents, and external agencies.
As Deputy Safeguarding Lead, you will:
* Triage and task concerns to the appropriate member of staff.
* Manage concerns, referrals, and child protection casework, maintaining accurate and secure records for any child on a safeguarding plan.
* Manage administration of the My Concern reporting system.
* Ensure compliance with all safeguarding legislation, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Keep Children Safe.
* To provide support, advice, and guidance to other staff, including new staff, on child welfare, safeguarding and child protection matters.
* To manage internal and external referrals.
* To be responsible for liaising with local statutory children's services and agencies and attend multi-agency meetings, where appropriate.
As Pastoral Officer, you will:
* Support the wellbeing and behaviour of students through proactive pastoral care.
* Work with students individually and in groups to address barriers to learning (e.g. attendance, emotional health, SEN).
* Promote positive behaviour, student engagement, and social-emotional development.
* Support and lead on attendance strategies, behaviour interventions, learning interventions and restorative practices.
* Act as a trusted point of contact for pupils and families needing support.
* Actively, assist in the running of the school day.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
* Has experience in a safeguarding and/or pastoral role within a school or similar setting.
* Holds up-to-date safeguarding training (ideally, Level 3 or equivalent, however training can be provided).
* Has a strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and pastoral care practices.
* Can build strong, respectful relationships with young people and families.
* Is empathetic, resilient, and calm under pressure.
* Has excellent communication and record-keeping skills.
* Can work independently and as part of a team, using sound judgement and discretion.
What We Offer
* A supportive, inclusive school culture with a strong pastoral ethos.
* Opportunities for ongoing training and professional development.
* A chance to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of young people.
* A friendly and dedicated staff team.
* Access to an employee wellbeing programme.
* On site parking.
Interviews: to commence on – please keep this date clear
We reserve the right to interview before the closing date for suitable applicants
Visits to the school are warmly encouraged and welcomed. To arrange a visit, please contact Tori on
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share.
The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.
The pro rata salary shown is based on the number of hours and weeks worked and paid annual leave entitlement for an employee under 5 years' service.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ's guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.
Keeping Children Safe in Education
The school will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.
The salary quoted is the annual salary for the position at the time of advert. The salary will be paid in equal monthly instalments and will be adjusted at the start of employment and again if leaving part way through the school year to ensure the correct salary is received for the work completed in an academic year.