Location
Regional based positions within a defined Lift Schools geographical hub covering the North or the South. Regular travel to regional schools and occasional national travel will be expected.

Hours
37 hours per week

Salary
£60,000-£65,000 plus wellbeing cash plan, pension scheme (LGPS) and additional Lift Schools benefits.

About the Role
Help shape the future of safeguarding across one of England's largest school trusts. Every child deserves to feel safe, supported and able to thrive. At Lift Schools, safeguarding isn't simply a statutory responsibility, it's at the heart of everything we do. We're seeking an experienced Deputy Head of Safeguarding to join our national safeguarding team and help strengthen safeguarding practice across our network of 59 schools, educating more than 35,000 children and young people.
This is a rare opportunity to influence safeguarding at scale. Working alongside our Head of Safeguarding, Regional Education Directors, Principals and Designated Safeguarding Leads, you'll provide professional support and constructive challenge that helps ensure every school delivers the very highest standards of safeguarding.
If you're passionate about protecting children and want your expertise to make a difference far beyond a single setting, we'd love to hear from you.

Why this role matters
Strong safeguarding practice changes lives. As Deputy Head of Safeguarding, you'll help shape the culture, systems and practice that keep thousands of children safe every day. You'll work alongside school leaders to strengthen safeguarding practice, build professional capability, identify emerging risks and ensure every school is confident, compliant and fully prepared for inspection.
This role involves building trusted relationships, providing expert advice, coaching colleagues through complex situations and helping create a culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. You'll combine oversight with practical support, helping schools navigate complex safeguarding issues while ensuring children remain at the centre of every decision.

Who is Lift Schools?
We’re a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. We do this across each of our 59 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they’ve ever had.
We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

Our mission
We will provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.
With excellent leadership and teaching in every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives.
We will work with others beyond our network to benefit more children and communities.

We offer you
Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships and travel deals.

Experience
Significant safeguarding experience within education, children's services or a related safeguarding environment.
Excellent knowledge of statutory safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Experience working collaboratively with multi-agency partners.
The ability to analyse information, identify risk and provide clear, evidence-based advice.
Credibility and confidence to coach, influence and constructively challenge senior leaders.
A calm, compassionate and collaborative approach to supporting schools through complex safeguarding situations.

About you
You are a safeguarding professional who believes every child deserves to feel safe, valued and supported.
You may currently be working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy DSL, a senior school leader with safeguarding responsibility, a Local Authority Safeguarding Adviser, Education Safeguarding Officer, Social Worker, Team Manager or Child Protection professional with extensive safeguarding expertise, or a safeguarding leader within a Multi-Academy Trust or another education organisation.
Above all, you are passionate about making a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people and believe safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Qualifications
Relevant safeguarding qualifications and experience in line with statutory guidance are expected.
Enhanced DBS check, references and where applicable, prohibition from teaching check will be required as part of the recruitment process.