Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Paignton Academy, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 3WA14 days remaining to apply
Job start date
3 November 2025
Closing date
24 September 2025 at 11:59pm
Date listed
10 September 2025
Job details
Job role
- Pastoral, health and welfare
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time: 34 hours per week, 42 weeks per year
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £28,958 - £33,413
Actual salary
- £25,006 - £28,853
What skills and experience we're looking for
Paignton Academy is seeking a committed and compassionate Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)to join our pastoral and safeguarding team. This is a rewarding opportunity to work in a vibrant and supportive school community, playing a key role in promoting the welfare, safety, and success of every student.
About the Role
- Working alongside the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), the DDSL will:
- Support students subject to a Child Protection Plan, Child in Need Plan, Early Help Plan, or identified as vulnerable or Looked After.
- Triage safeguarding concerns, respond to incidents, and take appropriate action to ensure statutory responsibilities are met.
- Liaise with external agencies, attend multi-agency meetings, and coordinate internal support.
- Help develop and deliver engaging safeguarding training for staff and students.
- Maintain accurate safeguarding records and help manage communication across the safeguarding team.
This is a highly visible and hands-on role where your experience and professionalism will directly impact students’ safety and wellbeing.
Who We’re Looking For
- Experienced in working with children, young people, and families
- Knowledgeable about safeguarding legislation, child protection procedures, and multi-agency working
- Organised, calm under pressure, and able to handle sensitive information with integrity
- Confident in making referrals, offering staff guidance, and supporting students through challenging circumstances
- A collaborative team player with a genuine commitment to student welfare
Experience in a school environment and knowledge of attendance procedures would be an advantage, but not essential.
Why Join Paignton Academy?
- Be part of a committed and caring team that prioritises student wellbeing
- Work in a school that takes safeguarding seriously and proactively
- Opportunities for professional development and training
- A chance to truly make a difference in the lives of vulnerable student
If you're ready to take the next step in your safeguarding career and join a school where you can make a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you!
What the school offers its staff
At Paignton Academy, we focus on developing well-rounded students who excel academically and grow socially, emotionally, and morally. We inspire our students to be kind, resilient, and responsible, preparing them to face challenges and contribute positively to society.
Paignton Academy is on a significant improvement journey which was recognised in its most recent Ofsted report (December 2024):
The school has redesigned its curriculum to be broad and ambitious. The knowledge pupils will learn is organised in a logical order. The impact of these improvements is evident in key stage 3, where pupils demonstrate they know and remember more of what they have been taught.
Since the previous inspection, the quality of provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) has improved. Pupils’ needs are identified quickly, and appropriate support is put in place. Teachers have a growing understanding of how to adapt their teaching successfully for the benefit of these pupils. The school ensures that pupils with SEND are included in the wider life of the school.
Pupils’ behaviour has improved. Lessons are calm and purposeful. The ‘speak up, speak out’ campaign has led to more pupils feeling confident to report concerns.
Why Paignton Academy?
- Strong Relationships:We value respectful connections between students, staff, and parents, working together to ensure student success.
- Love of Learning:We foster a passion for lifelong learning, helping students grow into curious, well-rounded individuals.
- Community & Pride:We instill pride in both our school and the local community, empowering students to make a positive impact.
If you're passionate about shaping young lives and helping students reach their full potential, come join our team at Paignton Academy!
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust is a family of schools consisting of both primary and secondary schools across the South West, South, South East, and East of England.
We believe that every young person in our community deserves to have the best opportunities at life regardless of their individual circumstances.That’s why we invest in our people, so that our staff are best supported to positively impact our pupils.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. As per KCSIE we will also undertake online searches for all shortlisted candidates, if you have any questions regarding this process please email recruitment@tsatrust.org.uk
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Paignton Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1582 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Paignton Academy website
- Email address
- sara.robotham@paigntonacademy.tsat.uk
At Paignton Academy, we seek to develop all students, both academically and socially, as well as culturally and emotionally. During their time at Paignton Academy, we will ensure that students receive excellent teaching and learning within a highly disciplined but supportive environment, so that they have the very best opportunity to be their best self. More than this, we also develop a deep sense of social, civic and personal responsibility within our students.
We set very high expectations and focus on areas such as kindness and community whilst ensuring that good work, citizenship, progress and attainment is always formally recognised and celebrated throughout the school.
‘Leaders and staff promote a sense of belonging at Paignton Academy, with the view that ‘we may be two sites but we are one school’ Osfted July 2022
School location
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