Head of Safeguarding

Job Description

Salary: £90,000-£100,000+ wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract:Permanent

Location:EdCity, 1 EdCity Walk, EdCity, London, W12 7TF

Champion safeguarding excellence for every child, in every school, every day.

We're seeking an exceptional and strategic Head of Safeguarding to lead and strengthen safeguarding practice across Lift Schools, ensuring every student is safe, supported and able to thrive.

This pivotal trust-wide role offers a rare opportunity to shape and deliver safeguarding strategy across a national network of schools. You will provide expert leadership and assurance, embedding robust, compliant practice while building a culture where safeguarding is understood, lived and prioritised every day.

Working across a complex and growing organisation, you will support school leaders, advise on complex safeguarding matters involving our children or staff, and provide assurance to senior leaders and trustees, delivering impact at scale.

You will join a collaborative leadership community, working with colleagues and external partners to ensure safeguarding and child welfare practices are joined up, effective and continuously improving.

This is a unique opportunity to build on strong foundations and shape safeguarding culture across Lift Schools, setting the standard for protection, care and professional practice for thousands of children.

You'll be someone who:

Is driven by our mission to ensure every child is safe and able to thrive

• Brings deep expertise in safeguarding and child protection practice
• Can lead strategy while influencing culture and practice at every level
• Is confident advising senior leaders on complex safeguarding matters
• Understands how strong safeguarding systems enable schools and students to succeed

You'll also need to bring:

Significant experience leading child-facing safeguarding in education, social care or a related sector

• Up-to-date knowledge of statutory safeguarding guidance and multi-agency practice
• Experience managing complex safeguarding concerns and workforce safeguarding issues
• Strong understanding of safeguarding compliance, safer recruitment and assurance systems
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence across complex organisations
• Strategic thinking, sound judgement and a collaborative, solutions-focused approach

Lift Schools is made up of 58 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 34,000 students across the country. We believe education can transform lives - and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

Our mission:

1. We will provide anexcellent educationto every child, in every classroom, every day.
2. Withexcellent leadership and teachingin every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives.
3. We will work with othersbeyond our networkto benefit more children and communities.

How we support you

At Lift Schools, we believe talent drives performance. We offer you:

Comprehensive training:We offer bespoke training to help you hone your skills and progress your career.

Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.

Lifestyle savings:Enjoy discounted gym memberships and travel deals.

Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with two days a week working from home, 33 days of annual leave, and the freedom to work remotely outside of term time.

Ready to apply? Get in touch here. We can't wait to hear from you.

Candidates wishing to have an informal discussion about the role are invited to contact recruitment@liftschools.org.

The role is due to commence as soon as possible.

Closing date: Monday 16 March 2026, 9:00am
Interview date: Tuesday 24 March 2026 at EdCity, London

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Information about the School

Every child has immeasurable potential. It is our job to help realise it. ‍ We believe every child deserves the best education possible, regardless of background, geography or ability. We want to see them fulfil their potential – at school and beyond.

Who is Lift Schools? Our trust is made up of 57 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country – from Middlesbrough in the north to Devon in the west, Essex in the east and the Isle of Wight in the south. The majority of our schools are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.