Head of Safeguarding and Welfare

• Full-time and permanent (part-time considered)

• Salary: PO4 (£51,548 - £55,187 – 37 hours per week)

• Generous holiday entitlement • Access to a pension scheme with generous employer contribution

• A range of other employee benefits

We are open to discussing working pattern during the interview and appointment process.

The Head of Safeguarding and Welfare will be our safeguarding expert and will be the point of contact for key safeguarding, child protection and welfare matters. The role would therefore suit a professional with safeguarding experience in a school-based role or from an external agency, such as health and social care or designated officer.

This crucial new role offers an exciting opportunity to join an established trust of choice within the West Midlands. The Rivers CofE Academy Trust has a strong track record of improving schools and empowering pupils to see their limitless potential through an extraordinary education.

We are looking to recruit an experienced, passionate and dynamic leader who will provide strategic and operational support for our schools. Working closely with trust and school leaders, families, multi-agency partners and a variety of other stakeholders, you will further develop our safeguarding strategy, enabling all pupils to flourish and become extraordinary people.

Do you have a creative and positive mind-set with the ability to find innovative solutions to complex problems? Do you have the professional expertise to further develop our safeguarding strategy and inspire our school leaders, so that pupils contribute positively to society and to their extraordinary futures? If so, this could be the place and role for you. To be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate:

• a passionate commitment to ensuring all children are given the opportunities to shine and excel

• a strong and successful record in a leadership position within the education sector, health and social care sector or similar related field

• an excellent understanding of current educational trends and issues, including national policies, priorities and legislations specifically related to safeguarding, behaviour and attendance

• an in-depth knowledge of the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), relevant legislation, guidance, policy, procedures and good practice

• an ability to develop, oversee and monitor a safeguarding and welfare strategy for culture and ensure compliance and quality assurance across the trust

• successful delivery of initiatives across more than one setting, challenging, influencing and empowering others to achieve success, ensuring effective collaboration across schools and improving outcomes for children.

If you are motivated by the opportunity to make a difference to the lives and futures of our young people, please read on. The information in this pack will help you discover more about The Rivers CofE Academy Trust and how you can apply to become part of a successful, collaborative community within a forward-thinking, supportive environment.

Please visit our website at riverscofe.co.uk download a copy of our application form and email your completed application form to hr@riverscofe.co.uk by: Closing Date: Midday on Thursday 16th January 2025. (applications received after this date/time will not be accepted)

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by Thursday 23rd January. If you have not heard anything by this date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Please do not submit a curriculum vitae as these will not be included in the shortlisting process. Interview Date: Tuesday 28th January 2025 To find out more about Rivers visit our website here or to arrange a phone call with the CEO, please contact the executive assistant, Julia Carter, at jcarter@riverscofe.co.uk The Rivers C of E Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children and expects everyone to share this commitment.

The successful applicant will undergo a full enhanced DBS check. The Rivers C of E Academy Trust reserves the right to withdraw the vacancy should a suitable candidate be found at any time during the recruitment process