Designated Safeguarding Lead
Possible
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer issued few or no visas recently. Ineligible if it's SOC 3222
£36,581 – £46,579 / year
Salary
Within the market range
£41,700
Going rate
Offer is 0.9× the going rate
This role may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2469 is an eligible occupation, but we are only 45% sure that is the right code. WITHERSLACK GROUP LIMITED is a licensed sponsor, so if the code fits, the role should qualify. Check the occupation eligibility rules against what the job actually involves.
We pick the code from the advert's text, so it is our best guess, not the employer's. Each code it could be has its own likelihood:
- Possible 2469 (Welfare professionals not elsewhere classified) · 45% match
- Ineligible 3222 (Child and early years officers) · 22% match
- Possible 2316 (Special and additional needs education teaching professionals) · 7% match
Ask WITHERSLACK GROUP LIMITED what the duties are.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2469 Welfare professionals not elsewhere classified Most likely code | £33,400 Clears | £33,400 Clears | £37,500 Clears | £41,700 Clears |
3222 Child and early years officers Also possible | £33,400 Clears | £41,700 Clears | £41,700 Clears | £41,700 Clears |
2316 Special and additional needs education teaching professionals Also possible | £25,000 Clears | £25,000 Clears | £25,000 Clears | £25,000 Clears |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. A mark is for the top of the advertised pay. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
£36,581 - £46,579 + excellent benefits
Please note that applications for this role will close on 1st November 2026, with interviews scheduled for 11th November 2026.
Important: You must provide your full employment history, both paid and unpaid, from the age of 16 onwards as part of your application, including roles that may not be relevant to the position.
Those Huge Small Victories
For children with complex, challenging needs, the level of care and education must go above and beyond and that’s what drives us here at Witherslack Group. With our high staff-to-child ratio and in-house clinical teams, we’re proud to have won a reputation for excellence. Our aspirational homes, schools and ethos help us achieve the best possible outcomes. In short, we’re enhancing life opportunities. Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are a huge part of making sure our children and young people’s needs are fully recognised and comprehensively met.
Get out what you put in
You will work as part of the leadership team and report directly to the Head Teacher for this crucial role. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other members of the Witherslack Group team in different locations to enable you to progress and develop your skills and knowledge.
As a Designated Safeguarding Lead you will take responsibility for safeguarding within the school, this means that on a daily basis you will be liaising with statutory and non-statutory agencies, parents/carers and staff on matters of wellbeing , child protection and safeguarding and will be a great source of support, advice and expertise in the team.
One of the best environments in SEND
Westmorland School is highly regarded for the quality of its specialist provision, consistently earning praise from parents, professionals and Ofsted. With dedicated primary and secondary campuses, the school delivers highly personalised educational experiences tailored to the diverse needs of its pupils. Through specialist learning environments and individualised support, Westmorland enables pupils with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Complex Needs, Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs to access a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum.
The school’s sustained growth, strong external recognition and positive outcomes reflect the impact of its inclusive and nurturing approach. Across both campuses, Westmorland is committed to ensuring every child receives an outstanding education that builds on their strengths, supports their individual needs and raises aspirations. Through specialist expertise, innovative practice and a strong commitment to inclusion, the school empowers pupils to thrive academically, socially and emotionally, preparing them successfully for the next stage of their education and beyond.
What we do for you
We know you’re going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you’ll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:
- Training: A full induction and on the job training
- Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with full school holidays
- Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance – check out our benefits here
- Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
- Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street
discounts - Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities – check out our schools here
- A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
- Contributory pension scheme – matched up to 5%
Bring your whole-self to work
Our young people and their families come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves. As well as having at least 3 years’ experience in a Designated Safeguarding Lead role, we will also look for:
- Comprehensive
portfolio of CPD related to Safeguarding and Child Protection. - Outstanding interpersonal and problem resolution skills.
- A genuinely empathetic approach is also essential
- Full UK driving licence
Interested in joining us?
At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong.
As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference- especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way.
By building a diverse and inclusive team, we’re better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.
The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.
For a full job description and person specification, please click here
To view our ex-offenders policy please click here
To view our Child Protection Policy, please visit the 'Parents and Carers' section of this School/Learning centre. You can find all our Schools here.
Special Education / Careers in Care / Careers in Special Education / Working with Children / SEMH / SEN / ASD
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with WITHERSLACK GROUP LIMITED, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Welfare professionals not elsewhere classified (SOC 2469) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~12k in sample- Offer £36,581–46,579
- Middle half £32,136–49,192
- Median £43,524
- Going rate £41,700
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £33,400–35,700
The range sits inside the market's middle half (£32,136–49,192), so this is typical pay for the occupation.
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at WITHERSLACK GROUP LIMITEDAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. WITHERSLACK GROUP LIMITED holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2469 going rate of £41,700. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.