Designated Safeguarding Lead/Family Liaison Officer (Maternity Cover)

Landon School is an independent specialist day school in Harmondsworth for pupils aged 5 to 19 with autism spectrum condition and severe learning difficulties. Our ethos is simple: Safe. Happy. Learning. We are looking for an experienced safeguarding practitioner to cover maternity leave in a role that brings together three things: Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibility, family liaison, and attendance. You will be the first point of contact when a concern is raised, the person families trust when things are difficult, and the person who makes sure every pupil is in school and ready to learn. The role - Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead: triage and respond to concerns and disclosures, manage child protection cases, and keep accurate records on CPOMS in line with GDPR. - Chair weekly safeguarding meetings and represent the school at Child Protection Conferences, core groups and multi-agency meetings. - Liaise with Children's Services, the police, health professionals and Educational Welfare Services. - Monitor and improve attendance: identify the barriers behind absence, engage families early and put practical support in place. - Build trusting relationships with families, signpost to external services, and support them through EHCP and Local Authority processes. - Deliver safeguarding training and updates to staff and governors. What we are looking for - Level 3 qualification or above in childcare, social care, education, family support or a related field. - Designated Safeguarding Lead training completed, or a firm commitment to complete it before starting. - Substantial safeguarding experience, including child protection case management and multi-agency working. - Working knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 and Working Together to Safeguard Children. - Understanding of autism, severe learning difficulties and SEND systems including EHCPs. - Experience of chairing meetings, strong report writing, and confidence with school systems such as CPOMS and attendance monitoring. - Empathy, discretion, and the organisational skills to hold a varied caseload. Desirable: a Level 4 or above safeguarding or social work qualification, advanced DSL training, safer recruitment training, autism awareness training, previous DSL or Deputy DSL experience, special school experience, experience of representing a school in court, and a driving licence. The details Contract: maternity cover, fixed term Hours: 22.5 hours per week, term time only plus INSET days Salary: £28,252 – £32,000 FTE, pro rata Start date: Monday 2 November 2026 Closing date: midnight, Wednesday 30 September 2026 Location: Aviation House, Harmondsworth Lane, West Drayton UB7 0LQ Safeguarding Landon School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check with children's barred list check, satisfactory references, prohibition checks, online and social media checks, and verification of qualifications. Designated Safeguarding Lead and safeguarding training must be completed before starting