Jobs in Durham, United Kingdom

Salary: Up to £50,000

Closing date: 8th March

Interview Date: 18th March

This is a remote role; travel will be required across the North East and North West.

We are the highest Ofsted‑rated provider in the country for special education and care. Our teams are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things.

For children with complex needs the level of care and education we provide must go above and beyond. That’s what drives us here at Witherslack Group. With our high staff‑to‑child ratio and in‑house clinical teams, we’re proud to have won a reputation for excellence and market‑leading Ofsted ratings.

The Schools Safeguarding Officer will work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and Head Teachers to ensure that practice is robust and defensible in relation to safeguarding within the school.

You will work with the Head of Safeguarding to support schools and ensure compliance in accordance with safeguarding and wider legislation and in the development and delivery of training for DSLs and school‑based staff.

You will contribute to effective partnership working between different teams and departments within Witherslack Group.

You will undertake safeguarding audits in schools to ensure compliance within current frameworks and support schools in any action plans resulting from findings within safeguarding audits.

You will also support DSLs in schools and give advice to ensure that safeguarding concerns are managed in line with Local Safeguarding Partnership procedures and thresholds.

You will work with DSLs in schools to ensure that safeguarding record keeping is robust and in line with best practice and will give advice and guidance in relation to safeguarding cases.

• Extensive safeguarding expertise — significant experience (5+ years) managing safeguarding and child protection cases, ideally as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or in a similar senior role.
• Strong policy knowledge — up‑to‑date understanding of Keeping Children Safe in Education, national safeguarding policy, wider education legislation, and partnership arrangements.
• Proven advisory and training skills — ability to provide expert safeguarding advice to schools, support the resolution of safeguarding deficits, and design and deliver effective training.
• Ongoing professional development — a comprehensive portfolio of CPD in safeguarding and child protection, with evidence of applying learning from reviews and developments into practice.
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational abilities — strong communication, problem‑solving, and report‑writing skills, with the flexibility to manage competing priorities and support schools in high‑pressure situations.

• Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 dependent on experience.
• Medical covers you can claim back the cost of things like an optician or dentist appointment and a host of high‑street discounts.
• Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with 7 weeks’ holiday (including bank holidays).
• Flexible benefits package: meaning you can increase/decrease your holiday allowance, pension and life insurance – check out our benefits here.
• Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance.
• Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities.
• A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time.

If you would like to discuss the role further please contact Mary Aurens, Head of Safeguarding.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost). We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.