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Job Title: Designated Safeguarding Lead and Family Liaison Officer
Location: Stretton Shires School, Stretton, Rutland, LE15 7GT
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 8:30am – 4:30pm
Salary: £40,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available
About the Role
We are looking for an inspirational leader who has a passion for working with children and families to ensure the highest standards of safeguarding are upheld at all times within our school who is dedicated and experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Family Liaison Officer to join our team. This combined role is central to ensuring the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all pupils, while also building strong, supportive relationships with families and the wider community.
The successful candidate will take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the school, while also acting as a key link between home and school to support families, remove barriers to learning and promote positive outcomes for children.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead on all safeguarding and child protection matters, including managing referrals to children’s social care, the police, Channel and the DBS, while maintaining accurate, secure case records.
- Act as the school’s expert point of contact for staff, providing guidance, support and training on safeguarding, early help and child welfare concerns.
- Attend and contribute to multi‑agency meetings, strategy discussions, child protection conferences and reviews, ensuring effective partnership working with external agencies.
- Keep the Headteacher informed of safeguarding issues, ongoing investigations and concerns involving staff, liaising with the LADO where required.
- Build strong, trusting relationships with families, offering support, guidance and signposting to help remove barriers to learning and improve pupil wellbeing.
- Work proactively with parents/carers to promote positive attendance, engagement and behaviour, supporting families to understand school expectations and routines.
- Identify families who may benefit from early help, coordinating interventions and contributing to assessments, plans and multi‑agency reviews.
- Support vulnerable pupils with social, emotional or behavioural needs, working with staff to develop personalised support strategies that promote safety, inclusion and positive outcomes.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has significant experience in safeguarding, child protection and/or family support.
- Demonstrates excellent judgement, emotional resilience and the ability to manage sensitive and complex situations.
- Communicates confidently with children, families, staff and external agencies.
- Has up-to-date knowledge of statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
- Is proactive, organised and committed to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Builds strong relationships and works collaboratively as part of a wider pastoral and safeguarding team.
About Us
Set in the heart of the Rutland countryside, Stretton Shires School is an independent day and residential school catering for autistic young people, and those with associated needs, offering specialist secondary education for pupils aged 11 – 18.
Established in 2005 as a residential home and school, we are currently growing our day pupil numbers, meaning we constantly need to recruit passionate and dedicated staff to support our growth aspirations.
Our aim for the young people coming to Stretton Shires is quite simple; we want every young person to progress developmentally, educationally and socially. We want them to develop an understanding of themselves and to experience what success feels like. Through these actions, we can equip every young person with the skills and knowledge they need to go on to succeed.
For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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