Director of Safeguarding
The Director of Safeguarding reports to the Headmistress and is responsible for all safeguarding matters and for developing a proactive safeguarding culture for Headington Rye pupils and staff. The Director of Safeguarding will maintain and develop excellent working relationships with external agencies (eg ESAT, LADO, Children’s Social Care, Police, CAMHS).
The Director of Safeguarding will work closely with both Deputy Heads Pastoral, at the Senior and Prep Schools, Director of HR, Housekeeping and Lettings Manager, Director of Operations, Director of IT and the Headmistress to ensure a co-ordinated and holistic approach to pupil safeguarding, casework, compliance and record keeping.They will also work directly with the School’s Governors with special responsibility to the Governors Safeguarding Leads.
As the Designated Safeguard Lead this member of staff has lead responsibility for dealing with safeguarding and child protection issues, including online safety, managing referrals, raising awareness, providing training and advice to staff, liaising with the Local Authority and working with other agencies where required.
They will have primary responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of all pupils in the School, leading the continued development and promotion of a culture of safeguarding awareness within the School, including supporting a culture of listening to pupils and understanding how pupil behaviour, mental health and wellbeing can be related to adversity and trauma that a pupil may have faced.
The Director of Safeguarding is a member of the Executive Leadership Team, which operates across both Schools, with significant whole-School responsibilities. The Director of
Safeguarding is also a member of the Pastoral Curriculum Team for the management and oversight of pupils with specific pastoral needs at any time during their school careers.
Type of Contract
Permanent, full time, all-year round starting in September 2025. The postholder will ordinarily work Monday – Friday. During term time there may be occasions when they would need to action cases in the evening or weekend and this time will be reclaimed by working shorter hours when the pupils are on holiday.It would be possible to do some hybrid working when the pupils are not in school. A rota of other members of the DSL Team will cover any periods of leave.
Benefits
Pension
Contributory membership of the School’s Support Staff Pension Scheme with a School contribution of up to 9.95 per cent upon successful completion of six months’ service.
Fee remission
In accordance with the School’s policy, which may be subject to change, up to 50 per cent fee remission for pupils attending Headington Rye Oxford and up to 20 per cent fee remission for boys attending Magdalen College School (under a reciprocal agreement) and subject to the terms of their policy.Fee remission is calculated on the number of weeks and hours worked and is pro rata for part-time staff who work at least 50 per cent of a normal working week.
Salary
Salary will range from £60,000 to £65,000 dependent on skills and experience.
30 days annual leave plus eight bank holidays.
Additional Benefits
Free school lunches are provided. All staff have access to a broad programme of wellbeing activities. The programme currently includes access to the School’s gym and swimming pool, weekly Step and Tone and Zumba classes and regular staff social activities such as Book Club and Staff Choir.
Staff also benefit from free access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a free, confidential helpline that offers advice on a range of issues. Free restricted parking is available for all staff on site.
Appointment Process and How To Apply
Applicants should submit an application form and a covering letter detailing their skills and experience to recruitment@headington.org- Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application forms. However, they may be sent in addition to the application form.
- We will seek references on shortlisted candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before the interview. References will ask about your suitability to work with children.
- If you are invited to interview you will receive notification outlining the interview process and guidance regarding the documentation you are required to provide.
Interviews: week commencing Monday 24th March 2025
Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early depending on the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application form.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, ie references, Disclosure and Barring Service, medical questionnaire, Right to Work in the UK.
Headington Rye Oxford is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and DBS and barred lists checks.The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.