About the role
Make a real difference to children’s lives in Hillingdon
Are you an experienced education safeguarding professional ready to step into a pivotal multi‑agency role? We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated individual to become the Education Safeguarding Lead within Hillingdon’s Multi‑Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT).
This is a unique opportunity to ensure that education plays a full and influential role in protecting our most vulnerable children. You will bring specialist insight from the education sector into child protection decision‑making, ensuring children at risk of significant harm are safeguarded, heard, and able to thrive in education.
Responsibilities
* Act as the authoritative specialist advisor on education within the MACPT, providing high‑quality input to strategy discussions, Section 47 enquiries and Child Protection Conferences.
* Build strong relationships with schools, colleges and education partners, ensuring safeguarding information is accurate, analysed and used effectively.
* Lead and contribute to safeguarding audits across education settings, driving improvements in practice and compliance with statutory guidance including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
* Represent the local authority at multi‑agency meetings, ensuring the education perspective is consistently embedded in decision‑making.
* Support and provide professional supervision to education colleagues contributing to MACPT activity, including Designated Safeguarding Leads.
* Identify emerging risks and trends across the education landscape and support wider service planning and development.
About you
We’re looking for someone who brings:
Essential experience & skills
* Substantial experience in education safeguarding/child protection, including making and defending decisions in complex cases.
* Direct experience in a school or college setting with DSL‑level safeguarding responsibility.
* Strong understanding of education’s statutory duties and safeguarding legislation.
* The ability to analyse complex information (attendance, SEND, exclusions, EHE) and assess risk within an education context.
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, professional reports and provide constructive challenge.
* Proven ability to work collaboratively within multi‑agency safeguarding environments.
Essential qualifications
* Degree‑level qualification or equivalent experience in education, safeguarding or children’s services.
* Advanced safeguarding and child protection training.
* Evidence of ongoing CPD.
Desirable
* QTS or a professional qualification in safeguarding, leadership or inclusion.
* Recent accredited DSL/Deputy DSL training.
* Experience of representing education at statutory safeguarding forums.
Why join us?
At Hillingdon, we are committed to putting our residents first, and our values—Respect, Collaborative, Efficient, Integrity, Open and Honest—underpin everything we do. You will be part of a forward‑thinking service where safeguarding, education and multi‑agency working come together to make a real impact.
Apply now
If you want to use your expertise to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and influence safeguarding practice across the education sector, we would love to hear from you.
About us
We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work‑life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.
Benefits
* Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
* 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36‑hour workweek for all full time staff.
* Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non‑casual roles).
* Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
* Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
* Cycle to Work – Eco‑friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
* Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
* Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
* Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24‑hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
* Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre‑employment screening:
* Enhanced DBS Check
* Qualifications Check
* 5 years of Referencing
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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