Job Description

Purpose
GEMS Education is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people. The purpose of this role is to ensure the effective management of child safeguarding across GEMS' schools though leading on case management, training and development, external stakeholder management, safeguarding processes, curriculum development, student voice and participation and parental engagement.
The Senior Manager - Safeguarding will support a cluster of schools to embed the organisation's safeguarding policy and strategic plan within the GEMS network so that there is consistency of safeguarding practice and policy compliance across the group.
Key Accountabilities
Policy & Process

• Providing advice, guidance and support on safeguarding matters to the GEMS Education management
• teams and school-based staff;
• Supporting the development and implementation of relevant policies so that practice is consistent,
• Ensuring that safe systems and practices are in place across GEMS through the safeguarding self-evaluation framework (SEF) to improve practice, develop capacity and inform governance.
• Developing and maintaining key metrics to measure the impact of any safeguarding activities relevant to the role.
• Managing data systems and preparing key reports on all safeguarding matters as required
• Review and quality assure safeguarding incidents entered into online reporting platform by GEMS schools to ensure the accurate reporting of safeguarding concerns.
• Effectively guide on high risk safeguarding cases.

Training & Development
Contribute to the development, review and implementation of safeguarding training for all GEMS school-based, Services and SSC employees so that practice is continually developed and improved through the following key actions:

• Working in partnership with key stakeholders (internal and external)
• Continuously developing new training content, reflecting staff and student needs
• Analyse safeguarding data to ensure training is reflective of current patterns and trends.
• Developing and maintaining key metrics to measure the impact of any training so that programmes result in positive outcomes for students.
• Preparing management reports that demonstrate the impact of safeguarding training so that GEMS governance is well-informed regarding the development of a competent, confident workforce and progress against relevant strategic goals.

Stakeholder Management

• Support the VP Safeguarding & Child Protection with the development and maintenance of relationships with external agencies including the leadership, implementation and management of school-based programmes from GEMS' strategic partners.
• Support the VP Safeguarding & Child Protection on developing strategic partnerships with a range of internal and external partners in the local community, to ensure effective partnership-working to provide an integrated provision for children.

Continue to Develop the Self-Evaluation Process

• Alongside the Head of Central Safeguarding Team, lead on the development, review and continued implementation of the Safeguarding self-evaluation framework (SEF) for all GEMS schools so that practice is continually developed and improved.
• Key responsibilities will include managing school visits, records of SEF visits, analysing SEF judgements and providing action plans for improvement in practice to schools and Services.
• Leading and developing SEF DSL forums and working groups to share good practice.

Further Development of the DSL Forums

• Lead, develop and deliver content for the GEMS full DSL Forums in collaboration with DSLs and the Central Safeguarding Team colleagues, so that practice is continually developed and improved in line with relevant regulatory requirements and contributes to positive outcomes for children.
• Lead suitable forum programme of events that reflects the needs of DSLs and the analysis of patterns and trends of safeguarding referrals, including the effective induction of any new DSLs.

Curriculum Development

• Alongside the Head of Central Safeguarding Team, lead on the development and implementation of safeguarding 'curriculum' content for students and parents which is informed by patterns, trends, safeguarding laws and regulatory compliance.

Student Voice & Participation *including SEND/vulnerable groups

• Develop and lead opportunities for students to participate meaningfully in, and effectively contribute to, GEMS-wide policy making and review, through researching best practice programmes, creating effective models and coordinating working groups to enhance collaboration.

Parent Engagement

• Alongside the Head of Central Safeguarding Team lead on the development and implementation of safeguarding 'curriculum' content for parents. This will include engaging with external stakeholders and internal working groups, ensuring effective collaboration opportunities, and researching best practice industry standards.

Other

• Monitor safeguarding incidents as recorded on the GUARD platform
• Guide and advise schools and services on high-risk cases
• Guide and advise schools on referrals to external authorities and providers
• Guide and advise schools and services on allegations against adults in conjunction with HR
• Contribute to the coordination of GEMS' schools safeguarding monitoring and evaluation activity, including the analysis of training evaluation/feedback, safeguarding referral patterns and trends, and the development of actions as a result of the data collected through the GUARD platform.
• Work with Executive Vice Presidents, Managing Directors, Brand Ambassadors, Principals and DSLs to review and develop safeguarding practice and culture in schools and services
• Liaise with authorities, external stakeholders and safeguarding networks on safeguarding topics and maintain accurate records of any meetings, decisions and outcomes.
• Undertake any other duty as specified by the Head of Central Safeguarding Team and VP Safeguarding & Child Protection.

Skills
Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline highly preferred
• Extensive experience of safeguarding either in an educational or social context.
• Experience of leading safeguarding, including case management
• Familiarity with the UAE context and a proven track record of effective leadership.
• Demonstrable proven track record of effectively leading diverse teams and maintaining positive, productive relationships with stakeholders.
• Experience of working in a Primary and/or Secondary school environment, or similar and using data to improve practice.
• A thorough understanding of related educational safeguarding matters: eg safer recruitment, online safety, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect, bullying etc.

Key Skills & Abilities

• Be able to develop and lead operational practice to achieve strategic goals.
• Ability to influence others through leadership that reflects our core values and ensures compliance with all aspects of safeguarding policy and practice.
• Ability to work effectively within a team and on own initiative
• Develop and sustain good working relationship with partner organisations.
• Shape and embed policy, improve practice and deliver positive outcomes for children.
• Ability to manage difficult conversations with professionalism
• Excellent administrative skills to maintain accurate and detailed records/reports.
• Excellent time management skills and be able to maintain high levels of speed and accuracy whilst managing competing priorities to challenging deadlines.
• Ability to analyse safeguarding information and determine an appropriate course of action to improve outcomes.
• Demonstrate the professional competency to support and challenge key stakeholders.
• Recognise and challenge inappropriate or poor practice at all levels within the organisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, matched with strong child-centric practice.

Personal Attributes

• Be emotionally resilient and demonstrate the passion to be a powerful advocate.
• Demonstrate confidentiality, sensitivity, empathy and compassion.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Ability to remain positive
• This role involves regular travel between the relevant emirates schools so must be a car owner/driver.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.

Skills Required