Head of Safeguarding

We are seeking a highly experienced and credible Head of Safeguarding to provide strategic leadership and expert guidance across Ark Schools and Ark.

Working at the heart of our network, you will partner closely with central teams, Principals, and Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) to shape safeguarding policy, practice, and culture. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring schools are equipped to deliver the highest standards of safeguarding, while fostering a proactive and consistent approach across the network.

This is a highly influential role with exposure to a wide range of stakeholders, including board members, senior leaders, governors, school staff, and central office colleagues. You will provide strategic oversight of safeguarding across the network, using data, research, and emerging best practice to drive continuous improvement and inform decision-making. You'll also lead the production of insightful safeguarding reports and analysis, helping to shape network-wide strategy and priorities.

Alongside this strategic responsibility, you will remain closely connected to frontline practice, acting as a trusted adviser on complex safeguarding matters, providing day-to-day guidance, and supporting schools and central colleagues to respond effectively when challenges arise.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead safeguarding compliance across the network, ensuring schools meet statutory requirements and maintain strong safeguarding cultures.
• Act as the network Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), providing expert advice, guidance, and support on safeguarding matters.
• Oversee safeguarding policies, training, and resources, ensuring alignment with current legislation, KCSIE guidance, and best practice.
• Manage safeguarding audits, assurance processes, and reporting, providing insights and recommendations to senior leaders, committees, and trustees.
• Drive the network's safeguarding strategy through the effective use of data, research, and sector best practice.
• Develop safeguarding capability across the organisation by leading DSL networks, delivering training, sharing best practice, and supporting professional development and wellbeing.
• Provide specialist support on complex safeguarding cases and work collaboratively with schools, HR, and central teams to promote safer recruitment and effective safeguarding practice.

This is a unique opportunity to join one of the country's leading education organisations, and we welcome conversations about the role. Please reach out to us at recruitment@arkonline.org.and we’ll be back in touch.

To apply, please submit an application via the Ark recruitment portal by Monday 19th October at 10am. If you have any questions, concerns or time constraints with applying please contact recruitment@arkonline.org.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.

Interviews will be arranged as suitable for the shortlisted candidates.