Designated Safeguarding & Attendance Lead

Are you passionate about safeguarding and attendance?

Do you want to lead in a school where every child is understood, valued, and supported to thrive emotionally and academically? Bridgelea Primary School is looking for a dynamic Senior Safeguarding & Attendance Lead to champion the safety, wellbeing, and engagement of our unique and diverse community of children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH).

This is a rare opportunity to take a pivotal leadership role within a nurturing, inclusive, and rights-respecting environment, working across two vibrant sites in Manchester.

If you are committed to making a positive impact on children’s lives and enjoy working collaboratively with families, staff, and external partners, we would love to hear from you.

As Senior Safeguarding & Attendance Lead, you will be the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Senior Attendance Champion, leading on child protection and attendance across both school sites.

Your leadership will ensure that safeguarding remains at the heart of our work and that attendance is seen as a key indicator of wellbeing and engagement.

You will:

• Provide expert advice and support to staff on safeguarding and attendance issues.
• Lead the development and review of safeguarding and attendance policies, ensuring compliance with the latest statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.
• Manage safeguarding records and systems, including CPOMS, with accuracy and confidentiality.
• Analyse attendance data to identify trends and implement targeted interventions to support vulnerable pupils and their families.
• Work closely with external agencies such as social services, GMP, Early Help, CAMHS, and the Local Authority to safeguard children and promote their welfare.
• Champion the school’s nurturing, Elklan, and Rights Respecting approaches in all safeguarding and attendance work.
• Deliver relevant training and development for staff to build capacity and embed best practice across the school.

This role offers a meaningful leadership challenge within a supportive senior leadership team and a chance to shape the safeguarding and attendance culture in a specialist setting.

You:

• Are a compassionate and skilled safeguarding professional with a strong track record in child protection and attendance management.
• Understand the complex needs of children with SEMH and are committed to working collaboratively with staff, families, and partners to overcome barriers to learning and wellbeing.

You will bring:

• Expert knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, with experience leading safeguarding in a school or similar setting.
• Proven ability to analyse attendance data and design effective, compassionate interventions.
• Excellent communication skills, able to build trust and positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills with meticulous attention to detail in record-keeping and data management.
• Resilience and calmness under pressure, managing sensitive situations with integrity and discretion.
• A commitment to inclusion, understanding of SEMH needs, and a nurturing, rights-respecting ethos.
• A willingness to engage in ongoing professional development, including DSL refresher training and safeguarding updates.

A qualification in social care or leadership is desirable but not essential if you are committed to completing relevant training.