Trust Deputy Safeguarding Lead - Salford and the Wirral
| Posting date: | 08 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 04 February 2026 |
| Location: | Manchester, Not recorded, M60 0AG |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | c76c63d3-9d4f-4b92-8d78-0d87ee83af8f |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
Your Role
At Co-op Academies Trust, safeguarding isn’t just a checklist, it’s the foundation of everything we do. We pride ourselves on making decisions that have the welfare and safety of our pupils at the heart of everything we do. If you are an expert safeguarding practitioner who is ready to shape the safety and wellbeing of an entire region - alongside senior leaders - we have an exciting opportunity for you.
We are looking for two dedicated professionals to join our expanded central safeguarding team. This is a rare opportunity to join our experienced team of professionals comprising a Trust Safeguarding Lead, two established Deputy Leads, and dedicated Safeguarding Support to effectively support academies.
This role will grant you the opportunity to have real strategic impact as you will not just be reacting to cases, but providing high level support - and high challenge - to Headteachers and DSLs to create a safeguarding culture that aligns with the latest statutory guidance, Ofsted expectations and Trust vision.
Your impact in this role will also include:
• Cultural Architect:You will help schools move beyond "policy" to create a truly inclusive ethos where every family feels they belong and every child feels seen.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration:You’ll partner with HR, IT, our Community Team, Governance, Data Protection and Health & Safety to ensure that safeguarding is woven into every fabric of the Trust’s operations.
Being part of the Co-operative Group, we are both guided and driven by the Co-op values which are embedded in everything that we do within our Academy. We strive to demonstrate the following ethical values in everything we do - they are our ‘Ways of Being’:
• Succeed together
• Do what matters most
• Be yourself, always
• Show you care
So, if you have extensive experience as a (Deputy) Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with a deep, working knowledge of current legislation and a proven ability to improve practice in others, we would love to hear from you!
What the school offers its staff
We offer a wide range of benefits and rewards to recognise the part you play in our success:
Benefits include:
• A Co-op colleague discount card. This gives you a 10% discount in our Co-op Food stores.
• Co-operative flexible benefits (discounted line rental and broadband package, family care advice and cycle to work scheme)
• Discounted gym membership and leisure activities which includes discounts on Merlin Entertainments (Sea Life, Legoland etc), Virgin Experience Days, SuperBreak and many more!
• Co-operative Credit Union: save directly from your salary and receive a competitive dividend. Borrowers can benefit from very competitive interest rates & terms (in comparison with other high street lenders)
• Co-op Funeralcare benefit
• Season ticket and rental deposit loans
And More!
Commitment to safeguarding
Co-op Academies Trust as an aware employer is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This commitment to robust recruitment, selection and induction procedures extends to organisations and services linked to the Trust on its behalf. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. We value variety and individual differences, and aim to create a culture, environment and practices at all levels which encompass acceptance, respect and inclusion. All our colleagues are expected to demonstrate a commitment to co-operative values and principles.
Your Role
At Co-op Academies Trust, safeguarding isn’t just a checklist, it’s the foundation of everything we do. We pride ourselves on making decisions that have the welfare and safety of our pupils at the heart of everything we do. If you are an expert safeguarding practitioner who is ready to shape the safety and wellbeing of an entire region - alongside senior leaders - we have an exciting opportunity for you.
We are looking for two dedicated professionals to join our expanded central safeguarding team. This is a rare opportunity to join our experienced team of professionals comprising a Trust Safeguarding Lead, two established Deputy Leads, and dedicated Safeguarding Support to effectively support academies.
This role will grant you the opportunity to have real strategic impact as you will not just be reacting to cases, but providing high level support - and high challenge - to Headteachers and DSLs to create a safeguarding culture that aligns with the latest statutory guidance, Ofsted expectations and Trust vision.
Your impact in this role will also include:
• Cultural Architect:You will help schools move beyond "policy" to create a truly inclusive ethos where every family feels they belong and every child feels seen.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration:You’ll partner with HR, IT, our Community Team, Governance, Data Protection and Health & Safety to ensure that safeguarding is woven into every fabric of the Trust’s operations.
Being part of the Co-operative Group, we are both guided and driven by the Co-op values which are embedded in everything that we do within our Academy. We strive to demonstrate the following ethical values in everything we do - they are our ‘Ways of Being’:
• Succeed together
• Do what matters most
• Be yourself, always
• Show you care
So, if you have extensive experience as a (Deputy) Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with a deep, working knowledge of current legislation and a proven ability to improve practice in others, we would love to hear from you!
What the school offers its staff
We offer a wide range of benefits and rewards to recognise the part you play in our success:
Benefits include:
• A Co-op colleague discount card. This gives you a 10% discount in our Co-op Food stores.
• Co-operative flexible benefits (discounted line rental and broadband package, family care advice and cycle to work scheme)
• Discounted gym membership and leisure activities which includes discounts on Merlin Entertainments (Sea Life, Legoland etc), Virgin Experience Days, SuperBreak and many more!
• Co-operative Credit Union: save directly from your salary and receive a competitive dividend. Borrowers can benefit from very competitive interest rates & terms (in comparison with other high street lenders)
• Co-op Funeralcare benefit
• Season ticket and rental deposit loans
And More!
Commitment to safeguarding
Co-op Academies Trust as an aware employer is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This commitment to robust recruitment, selection and induction procedures extends to organisations and services linked to the Trust on its behalf. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. We value variety and individual differences, and aim to create a culture, environment and practices at all levels which encompass acceptance, respect and inclusion. All our colleagues are expected to demonstrate a commitment to co-operative values and principles.