Operational Safeguarding Lead

• Lapwing
• Address:Hybrid and peripatetic working from home various community locations and at times from Lapwings head office in Ipswich Suffolk IP5 3SL
• Salary:35000 - 45000 per annum (actual salary)
• Hours:37.5 hours per week Term time only
• Contract:Permanent
• Reference:0694

Are you a competent and experienced safeguarding practitioner

Do you have what it takes to support the operational safeguarding needs of a specialist therapeutic education provision across Suffolk Norfolk and Essex

Are you committed to the holistic development of some of the most disadvantaged young people in the region

Do you want to be an integral part of one of the fastest growing education charities in East Anglia

Lapwing continues to expand and strengthen its peripatetic Education Team across East Anglia and is looking for an Operational Safeguarding Lead as we form a new centralised Safeguarding Team.

Working with a well-established DSL the Operational Safeguarding Lead will take on the role of Deputy DSL and will be largely responsible for the day-to-day operational management of safeguarding concerns across the organisation.

As the postholder you will support the DSL and Area Managers by receiving and responding to safeguarding referrals coordinating information sharing and liaising with external agencies and families to ensure children young people and vulnerable adults are protected from harm.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate as this role will be integral in providing effective safeguarding management and support and will involve modelling guiding and quality assuring best practice safeguarding processes while supporting a committed education delivery team.

The successful candidate will be a competent safeguarding practitioner from education or social care with robust knowledge and experience of managing safeguarding concerns and offering colleagues advice and guidance. They will be able to model a best practice safeguarding approach to colleagues.

Lapwing is a specialist therapeutic education provider and charity working with young people (aged 4-25 years old) facing exclusion from education employment and the community through social emotional behavioural or learning difficulties and disabilities. Lapwing delivers a broad range of highly personalised education programmes and projects that are designed to meet the needs of and help realise the aspirations of each student.

This is a full-time position within term time only. The post involves hybrid and peripatetic working from home various community locations and at times from Lapwings head office in Martlesham Heath Suffolk. The postholder could live in Suffolk Norfolk or north Essex.

For more information

Please read the Job Description (Word) and Person Specification (Word).

For an informal chat about the role telephone Will Fletcher Chief Executive Officer by calling .

To find out more about us please visit our website.

How to apply

Please submit your completed Application Form (Word) by email to

Closing date:9.00 am27 April 2026.

Interview date: 1 May 2026.

Promoted as JOTW (Job of the Week) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

Lapwing Education welcomes everyone and creates inclusive teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work. Appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Lapwing is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.