King Henry VIII Senior School - Designated Safeguarding and Mental Heath Lead

Summary

King Henry VIII School is seeking an exceptional safeguarding professional to take on the critical role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). You will sit on the senior leadership team ensuring that every pupil is safe, supported and able to thrive.

Detail

Designated Safeguarding & Mental Health Lead (DSL) - King Henry VIII School (3-18)

1 Year Fixed Term Contract

Salary £34627 - £45299 per annum

Required from September 2026

Do you have the expertise, professionalism and calm authority to lead safeguarding in one of the Midlands’ leading coeducational independent schools?

King Henry VIII School is seeking an exceptional safeguarding professional to take on the critical role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). You will sit on the senior leadership team, overseeing all safeguarding, child protection and mental health practice across the 3-18 school, ensuring that every pupil is safe, supported and able to thrive.

Working as part of the Coventry School Foundation, King Henry’s provides a forward thinking and contemporary education for girls and boys across the whole West Midlands region. Located within a stone’s throw of Coventry railway station, our community is diverse, inclusive and deeply committed to the wellbeing of every young person.

Our school aims, both in and out of the classroom, are clear:

· To celebrate our diverse and inclusive community

· To inspire aspirational and authentic lifelong learners and leaders

· To empower courage, creativity and compassion in each student

· To nurture respectful, resilient and kind individuals

If this matches your values, then this is the perfect time to join our pastoral team. Pastoral care is considered a strength of the school at every level and is incredibly important to pupil wellbeing.

About the Role

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is a senior and highly influential role within the school’s pastoral structure. As DSL, you will:

• Lead and oversee all safeguarding and child protection processes across the school
• Act as the central point of contact for all safeguarding concerns
• Work closely with pupils, families, external agencies and colleagues to ensure the safety and welfare of all students
• Coordinate and quality assure safeguarding training for all staff
• Maintain the safeguarding culture of the school through visibility, approachability and strong professional relationships
• Lead and support a team of Deputy DSLs
• Ensure compliance with KCSIE, statutory responsibilities and Foundation policies
• Contribute actively to the wider pastoral provision and wellbeing strategy of the school

This is a role for someone with outstanding judgement, integrity, emotional intelligence and the confidence to lead safeguarding at whole school level.

We offer:

· A community of considerate, creative and compassionate students and staff

· A highly diverse and inclusive school community, committed to our bursary provision

· An inspiring and enthusiastic team of colleagues across the teaching and support staff

· A commitment to staff CPD and developing people professionally through mentoring and coaching, using both internal and external expertise

· A diverse benefits package including:

o Competitive salary

o Attractive pension scheme

o Free onsite parking

o Free Sport Centre membership

o Free lunches

o School fee discount

o Cycle to work scheme

What you can offer us:

· Safeguarding experience and a strong understanding of KCSIE

· The ability to lead and develop safeguarding practice across a complex organisation

· Excellent communication skills and professional curiosity

· Calmness, discretion and sound judgement

· The ability to build strong relationships with pupils, parents, colleagues and external agencies

· Resilience, emotional intelligence and a genuine commitment to the welfare of young people

· Kindness, openness and a dedication to inclusive and anti‑racist practice

· A willingness to contribute positively to the wider life of the school

How to apply

We recognise that celebrating the full diversity of staff and students has a positive impact on all and invite applications from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments, please let us know when you submit your application whether you have any special requirements.

We welcome applications from the independent and maintained sectors. The school operates its own generous and competitive pay scales and will offer a salary commensurate with experience and the nature of this role.

To apply, please complete all sections of the online application form via our recruitment portal, including the supporting statement and details of two referees. For further information, please contact, recruitment@csfoundation.org.uk

Early applications are encouraged.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early and interview suitable candidates before the advertised closing date, should we receive a high volume of applications.

Closing date: Thursday 28th May

Interviews: week commencing 1st June