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About the Role

The Safeguarding Divisional Lead provides safeguarding oversight across a designated division, supporting DSLs and operational teams to identify risks, respond to concerns, and protect children from harm. This role promotes high safeguarding standards, continuous improvement, and a child-centred culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility through guidance, training, case consultation, and quality assurance.

Responsibilities

Act as the safeguarding escalation point for DSLs, Nursery Managers and operational teams.
Provide safeguarding oversight across a designated region, including nursery visits and key safeguarding meetings.
Coach and support DSLs to strengthen safeguarding practice and decision-making.
Provide expert guidance on complex and high-risk safeguarding concerns.
Promote compliance with safeguarding policies, procedures and statutory requirements.
Support safeguarding improvements through audits, reviews and learning.
Contribute to the Safeguarding Helpline, R2R calls and management of escalated concerns.
Support the delivery of safeguarding training and induction programmes.
Support settings where safeguarding concerns or improvement actions have been identified.
Work with DSLs and operational teams to implement and monitor safeguarding improvement plans.
Provide targeted safeguarding support, guidance and challenge where additional intervention is needed.
Escalate concerns where safeguarding improvements are not being achieved.
Embed learning from safeguarding incidents, investigations and inspections.
Share safeguarding best practice and key learning to drive consistency across the region.
Deliver safeguarding training, workshops and development sessions to Designated Safeguarding Leads and nursery teams.
Coach leaders to strengthen safeguarding knowledge, confidence and decision-making.
Reinforce safeguarding expectations, professional curiosity and effective safeguarding practice.
Support colleagues to understand and apply statutory safeguarding responsibilities, escalation routes and reporting requirements.
Identify gaps in safeguarding knowledge and capability and support targeted improvement activity.
Build effective relationships with Nursery Managers, Regional Directors, operational leaders and Early Childhood Specialist colleagues.
Work collaboratively with HR, Operations, and Early Childhood teams to deliver a joined-up approach to safeguarding.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with external safeguarding agencies and partners, including Children's Services and LADO teams where appropriate.
Support the DSLs in preparation and attendance of Allegation Against Staff and Volunteer Meetings and Child Strategy Meeting.
Monitor the DSLs engagement with the Local Authority Safeguarding offer and provide targeted improvement activity to ensure participation.
Support the implementation of safeguarding initiatives and organisational priorities across the region.
Use learning from Internal Review audits, investigations, safeguarding concerns and organisational insight to identify opportunities for improvement.
Identify recurring issues, themes and risks and support action to address them.
Contribute to the development of safeguarding resources, guidance and improvement initiatives.
Maintain accurate safeguarding records, reporting and documentation relating to regional safeguarding activity.
Support the sharing of organisational learning and effective safeguarding practice across settings.

Requirements

Significant experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within a regulated children's setting.
Significant safeguarding experience within early years, education, social care or another regulated environment.
Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and child protection processes.
Experience supporting leaders to manage safeguarding concerns and risk.
Experience managing complex or sensitive safeguarding matters.
Experience delivering training, coaching or professional development activity.
Experience working with external safeguarding agencies and partners.
Strong understanding of safeguarding thresholds, escalation processes and statutory reporting requirements.
Training, coaching or facilitation experience.
Demonstrates consistent behaviours aligned with HEART principles (Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect).
Credible safeguarding professional with sound judgement and strong decision-making skills.
Excellent coaching, influencing and relationship-building capability.
Confident communicator, able to support and challenge constructively.
Passionate about improving outcomes for children.
Organised and able to manage competing priorities across a regional remit.
Resilient and calm when managing complex and sensitive situations.
Collaborative, proactive and solutions focused.
Subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.

Skills

Safeguarding leadership
Risk identification
Child protection
Guidance
Training delivery
Case consultation
Quality assurance
Coaching
Auditing
Reviewing
Relationship building
Communication
Influencing
Professional curiosity
Record keeping
Reporting
Documentation

Location

London
Oxford
Bristol
Surrey
Hertfordshire
Warwickshire

Work Type

Full Time
37.50 hours per week
Monday to Friday
Travelling role
Weekly travel
Possible overnights stays

Experience Level

Significant experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Significant safeguarding experience within early years, education, social care or another regulated environment

Education Level

Relevant qualification in Early Years, Education, Social Care or related discipline

Salary/Compensations

From £43k per annum
Car allowance

Benefits

Flexible working
Holiday entitlements
Discounted childcare
Quarterly Employee Appreciation Weeks
Annual gala award evening
Fantastic range of discounts on high street retailers, grocery stores, cinema tickets, holidays and more
Wide range of wellbeing resources

About the Company

Our support functions enable our nurseries to deliver the best possible care and education to over 10,000 children across the UK.
With 98% of our 270+ portfolio being rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.
We’re on a mission to change the future for children, families, and the people we work with.
Committed to progressive working values like flexibility, work-life balance, and wellbeing.
Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years.

Equal Opportunity

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply.
We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.