Further Information
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) provides leadership and oversight of safeguarding and child protection practices at Bavarian International School (BIS). This supports the provision of BIS as a safe, secure, and nurturing environment for all students and staff. As a key position within the school context with formal safeguarding training and practical experience, the DSL takes primary responsibility for coordinating the school’s safeguarding and child protection systems, ensuring compliance with German legal requirements (e.g. §8a SGB VIII, §4 KKG, DSGVO) and alignment with international best practices (CIS, ICMEC, IB, and NEASC accreditation standards).
This role takes the administrative lead in coordinating the response to any child protection issues including case management and training responsibilities, requiring collaboration with local authorities, external professionals, and all members of the school community.
Your Responsibility
Professional Development
● Engage in annual safeguarding refresher training and relevant professional learning (minimum every 2 years)
● Maintain membership in CIS/ECIS or regional safeguarding networks
● Participate in school-wide wellbeing initiatives to continuously strengthen safeguarding culture
Your duties
Strategic Leadership
● Serve as the lead professional for safeguarding and child protection at BIS
● Lead and manage all safeguarding crisis management with BIS staff,
students and families
● Promote a whole-school culture of safety, trust, and wellbeing, embedding safeguarding across all school operations
● Maintain and update the BIS Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, ensuring alignment with both German law, international and accreditation standards
● Lead the school’s Child Safeguarding Team (CST) and convene regular meetings with the Head of Child Welfare and Community Wellbeing, Principals, Pastoral Coordinator and School Nurses
● Provide regular reports and data summaries to the Head of School and Designated Safeguarding Board Member (DSBM), including an annual report, which is shared with the entire Supervisory Board
● Advise the Head of School and Supervisory Board on emerging safeguarding trends, case statistics, training needs, and resource allocation
● Track trends in data and assess age-appropriate learning needs in terms of safeguarding in an aligned curriculum
Case Management
● Act as the first point of contact for child protection and safeguarding concerns that may go beyond internal strategies, replacing the current Child Protection Officer (CPO) role
● Follow up with all CST members to ensure all safeguarding reports have been completed and submitted properly
● Ensure cases are assessed, documented appropriately in CPOMS, and managed according to BIS procedures, maintaining confidentiality at all times
● Liaise, when necessary, with Jugendamt, local police, Kinderschutzstellen, and medical or psychological services
● Monitor all ongoing safeguarding cases through the designated digital reporting system (e.g. CPOMS)
● Ensure that case files are securely maintained, transferred, and archived in line with GDPR and BIS policies
● Collaborate with the Child Safeguarding Team to ensure continuity of support and appropriate follow-up actions
Training & Awareness
● Develop and implement an annual safeguarding training plan for all staff, including volunteers and external providers
● Lead and/or commission regular training sessions (initial and refresher) on the topics of protection, boundaries, and safe practices, including recruitment
● Ensure that all new staff complete safeguarding induction prior to assuming duties
● Maintain accurate training and compliance records in collaboration with HR
● Promote safeguarding awareness across the BIS community (e.g., posters, assemblies, newsletters, digital platforms, workshops)
Policy, Compliance & Reporting
● Ensure the school is compliant with German safeguarding laws and international accreditation standards
● Maintain documentation required for CIS/ICMEC/NEASC/IB accreditations and school authorisations
● Oversee safe recruitment practices in coordination with HR, ensuring all staff and contractors meet required background checks (e.g. Extended Background Check/Erweitertes Führungszeugnis)
● Coordinate annual policy reviews and recommend updates to reflect legislative changes or best practice developments
● Participate in safeguarding audits and contribute to self-study reports for accreditation reviews
● Support the development and management of an anonymous reporting system for students, and safeguarding reports as and when they are submitted through the school’s whistleblowing system
Collaboration & External Relations
● Maintain proactive working relationships with local authorities, external consultants, and peer safeguarding leads from other international schools in Germany
● Participate in relevant local and international networks, forums, or conferences on child protection and safeguarding
● Serve as a key contact person during external investigations or in coordination with the Jugendamt
● Support BIS staff and leadership in crisis response related to safeguarding matters
Your profile
● Strong understanding of German child protection and data protection legislation, especially SGB VIII §8a, KKG §4, and GDPR (DSGVO)
● Familiarity with international frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and CIS Code of Ethics
● Degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field
● Minimum of 5 years of experience in education, counselling, or child protection roles, preferably in an international school setting
● Completion of accredited DSL or advanced safeguarding training (e.g., CIS, NSPCC, or equivalent)
● Proven experience in case management, policy development, and staff training
Desired Skills & Attributes
● Exceptional interpersonal and intercultural communication skills
● High emotional intelligence, discretion, and resilience under pressure
● Strong organisational and record-keeping abilities
● Capacity to make evidence-based, child-centred decisions
● Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments and with external agencies
● Excellent English communication skills (written and spoken)
● German language proficiency at C1 level or higher (to communicate effectively with authorities and local partners)
Preferred Additional Qualifications (German Context)
● Qualification or Certification in Kinderschutzfachkraft nach §8a SGB VIII (Child Protection Specialist)
● Knowledge of Bayerisches Schulrecht and relevant local child welfare procedures
● Prior collaboration experience with Jugendamt München or similar local agencies
● Certification in psychological first aid, trauma-informed care, or restorative practices
About us
The Bavarian International School gAG (BIS) is a private, non-profit all-day school with two campuses in the north of Munich (Haimhausen) and in Schwabing. 1,250 students from 70 nations attend the IB World School. Under the motto "Believe. Inspire. Succeed", students enjoy a holistic, personalised and innovative education in English. Intercultural competence, cooperative learning, global responsibility and international mindedness characterise the philosophy of BIS with around 240 teachers and staff.