Education Safeguarding and Inclusion Lead
Tameside Council
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Grade K SCP 44 £55,691 - SCP 47 £60,036
Hours Per Week: 36 hours
Base Location: Hyde Town Hall
Assessment Date: 12th & 13th August 2026
The Role
We are looking for a skilled and passionate Education Inclusion and Safeguarding Lead to provide strategic leadership, professional expertise and assurance across education safeguarding, inclusion, attendance and exclusions.
Reporting to the Head of Access, you will be the Local Authority's lead adviser for safeguarding in schools, supporting and challenging leaders to ensure that children and young people are safe, included and able to thrive.
Working across schools, multi-agency partnerships and council services, you will play a key role in ensuring statutory responsibilities are met and high standards of practice are embedded in Tameside.
You will lead on complex safeguarding matters, provide oversight of suspensions and permanent exclusions, and drive improvement activity that promotes attendance, inclusion and positive outcomes for children and families. You will also act as the authority's education representative within safeguarding partnerships and other strategic forums, influencing practice and policy at a system-wide level.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly credible professional who can combine strategic thinking with practical leadership, providing expert advice, professional challenge and support to schools, governors, senior leaders and partner agencies.
About You
You will be an experienced leader within education, safeguarding or children's services, with a strong track record of managing complex issues and influencing positive change.
You will have substantial experience of safeguarding and child protection practice, alongside a thorough understanding of attendance, suspension and exclusion processes and the statutory frameworks that underpin them. You will be confident advising and constructively challenging headteachers, governing bodies and senior leaders, using your expertise to improve outcomes for children and young people.
We are looking for someone who can build strong relationships, lead through influence and remain calm and authoritative when dealing with high-risk or sensitive situations. You will be an excellent communicator with strong analytical skills, able to interpret data, identify emerging trends and translate insight into effective action.
Most importantly, you will be committed to inclusion, equality and child-centred practice, sharing our ambition to ensure every child has access to support, opportunities and education.
If you are looking for an opportunity to make a significant impact across the education system and help shape the future of safeguarding and inclusion, we would love to hear from you.
Hear from Jill Colbert OBE, Director of Children’s Services
“When I first joined the council at the beginning of 2025 I was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of my colleagues.
“The reason why I came to Tameside was because I knew we could do fantastic things for our families here.
“Whilst we’re currently a children’s service on a significant improvement journey, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together, and this is already making a difference for our children.
“I know from the feedback from our Commissioner, Ofsted and our Strategic Improvement Partner, that families are seeing and feeling the impact of the thoughtful and compassionate support delivered by our workforce.
“We know that if we keep children at the centre of our thinking and our actions, we will create meaningful change for them that lasts.
“We are also growing and investing in our future. We have a range of specialist services for children, giving social workers quick access to expert help that makes complex decisions easier and supports better outcomes. Our Social Work Academy is led by people who bring passion to learning. We are strengthening our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have invested in innovation and improvement so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.
“Together, we are creating a proud, inclusive, and safe environment where great practice can truly flourish. And I feel incredibly privileged to lead this journey alongside such dedicated colleagues.
“Be a part of something great, be a part of our improvement journey and join us at Team Tameside.”
At the heart of this role is our Heart of Support Practice Approach, underpinned by the 5 C’s Compassion, Curiosity, Collaboration, Conversation and Courage. These values are the golden thread in how we work with children, families and each other. You will champion the Heart of Support and play a pivotal role in embedding systemic practice across the service.
We are committed to safeguarding and championing the welfare of children, young people, and families. Protecting and empowering our communities is at the heart of everything we do, and we expect every member of our team to share that commitment and help us make a meaningful difference.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Procedures.
Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.
We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.
Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here
For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager Katie Twigg on 0161 342 5226 or katie.twigg@tameside.gov.uk