Lead Safeguarding Officer

Location: Lynton House, Ilford, IG1

Permanent – Full Time

Redbridge is an ambitious, diverse and exciting east-London borough. What we do is driven by changing our relationship with local people to support our vision. As a result, we've developed innovative ways to build our communities and transform our Council.

We're one of the fastest growing parts of the country and the third most diverse London borough. Our communities are attracted by a mixture of excellent schools, relatively affordable housing, high-quality open space and rapid transport connections into the heart of the city.

Work with us

The London Borough of Redbridge is seeking to appoint an experienced Lead Safeguarding Officer to lead the statutory functions of the Local Authority. This role is essential for coordinating quality assurance and overseeing training, learning, and development across our multi-agency network. We are looking for a leader who is passionate about safeguarding and eager to work in an innovation-focused environment as the Lead Safeguarding Officer. You will work collaboratively within the School Effectiveness Service but also alongside our teams in social services, health and schools/education settings and police. You will ensure that London Borough of Redbridge maintains the highest standards of safeguarding children, young people and families. You will support Designated Safeguarding Leads in schools by providing expert safeguarding guidance to them as well as partners and agencies, ensuring children’s safety remains at the heart of our local arrangements.

The Opportunity

To work as part of a highly effective Local Authority Service, identifying safeguarding needs early and ensure the right support is in place. You will be leading and working alongside practitioners, who will look to you for expert guidance and support in safeguarding matters. This new role would ensure a dedicated member of staff is continually available to respond to safeguarding concerns or issues as they arise, as well as undertaking proactive work in promoting children and young people’s wellbeing and safety.

Importantly, you will have supervision on a regular basis, and we commit to supporting your professional development through internal and external mechanisms, and this will be discussed in monthly development conversations.

Why join Redbridge?

You will be part of a mission-driven organisation that is transforming safeguarding culture and compliance across the borough.

For all employees, we offer:

A strong and positive culture that prioritises team building, transparency, and career development. This includes protected time and budget for team connection and learning.

Our benefits include:

• Minimum 28 days annual leave + bank hoildays (rising to 33 after five years)
• Generous pension scheme (up to 19.1% employer contribution)
• Hybrid working (up to 1-2 days remotely depending on need)
• Enhanced sick pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Training, development and mentoring opportunities
• Staff recognition programmes
• A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

About You

We are looking for a professional with a high degree of accountability and the ability to work authoritatively with staff from different agencies. You must be educated to degree level and hold a recognised professional qualification in a field where safeguarding is a core function, such as social work, teaching, or health. Essential experience working as a qualified professional with operational safeguarding responsibilities. You will have excellent IT skills and the ability to interpret and evaluate complex data. You should be an assertive, solution-focused team player with a commitment to delivering and maintaining the highest safeguarding practices. An enhanced DBS check will be required.

Redbridge is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and operates stringent safer recruitment procedures. We offer a role where you can truly influence the quality of safeguarding practice across the London Borough of Redbridge.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

1) Ensure robust safeguarding processes & knowledge:

• Work with the Head of School Effectiveness to design and continuously improve our safeguarding policies and processes.
• Supporting the DSL teams in schools/education settings on safeguarding best practices and evaluating competency around risk management.
• Ensure we follow best practices and legal requirements for safeguarding, in line with our Ofsted/Care Quality Commission registration requirements, including safeguarding audits and participation in wider safeguarding forums.

2) Be our internal safeguarding expert

• Be the first point of contact, supporting schools/education settings when safeguarding needs are identified.

• Quality assure our safeguarding referrals.

3) Ensure we act promptly for identified safeguarding needs

• Reviewing safeguarding information identified in GP referrals and/or family questionnaires and providing appropriate input. Where safeguarding risk is being managed externally (for example in schools), ensuring clarity on where the risk is being managed.
• Liaise with families and external agencies when a safeguarding risk is identified and provide support.
• Support risk management plans, as appropriate.

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply now

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our children and young people and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values, so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

Join us and be part of the team that will make a demonstrable difference in the lives of children, young people and their families.

Job Description and Person Specification

To apply for this post please complete the online application form and attach your CV and a Covering Letter addressing how you meet the criteria for the role as stated in the person specification.

All short-listed applicants will need to demonstrate proof of right to work in the UK.

We are committed to employment practices that promote diversity and inclusion in employment and welcome applications from qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sex, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, colour, race, religion, or belief.

This role will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.