Learner Support and Safeguarding Lead

Learner Support and Safeguarding lead

Assessment Services

The Company

At Pearson our purpose is simple: to help people realise the life they imagine through learning. We enable this in three ways: creating and curating high quality content and assessments, distributing those assessments and content digitally and physically, and building and verifying skills. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to always be better. By pushing the boundaries of technology — and each other to surpass these boundaries — we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world’s innovations, personal and global, large and small.

Context

Part of Pearson School Qualifications, the Assessment division combines excellence in assessment with outstanding customer experience. The Assessment division has end-to-end responsibility for delivering on-time, accurate results of high stakes UK and international qualifications to our learners and first-class customer service to all our customers.

Assessment Services are a critical part of the support and delivery of Pearson Edexcel qualifications. As a team, we are solution focused, and we move quickly. We are committed to continuous innovation and don’t shy away from challenging the norm in terms of BAU processes.

The customer problems to solve are a key driver across our activity as a division. This translates directly into the services and support; we in turn provide teachers and learners. We have high aspirations to reach as many learners as possible through our qualifications and supporting services over the coming years. This role will work across the wider assessment division, ensuring we’re providing a best-in-class learner experience across all areas.

Position Summary

We are looking for an empathetic and proactive Learner Support and Safeguarding Lead to ensure a secure, fair, and supportive experience for learners using the Remote Invigilation Service to access their assessments. This role is critical to safeguarding learner welfare, addressing their needs, and maintaining the integrity of the examination process.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about learner success and have a strong understanding of safeguarding policies, accessibility, and compliance in the context of high stakes assessments.

Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding and welfare responsibilities:

Develop, implement, and monitor safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure the safety and protection of learners, in accordance with the Global Trust and Online Safety Manager.

Identify and address potential safeguarding risks, including misconduct, undue stress, or accessibility barriers.

Investigate and manage safeguarding incidents or complaints, ensuring a fair and learner-centered resolution process.

Ensure all processes comply with relevant data protection, privacy, and child protection regulations where applicable.

Monitor and track the progress of vulnerable leaners and ensure the appropriate interventions are in place.

Exam Integrity and Compliance

Collaborate with invigilation teams to monitor sessions for compliance with safeguarding and exam security protocols.

Ensure robust processes for learner identity verification and privacy protection.

Regularly review and improve safeguarding measures to adapt to emerging risks and best practices in remote assessments.

Learner Support

Serve as a key point of contact between the centre, learners, and parents for safeguarding and additional support needs – before, during and after exams.

Facilitate communication between families, external agencies, and centre staff to ensure consistent and coordinated support.

Liaise with parents and caregivers to discuss their child’s needs, and any concerns related to safeguarding or additional support.

Provide guidance and support to parents regarding available resources, support services, and strategies to aid their child during exams.

Provide tailored support where needed to learners with special requirements, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.

Training and Awareness

Deliver safeguarding and learner engagement training to invigilators and staff involved in exam delivery.

Promote awareness of safeguarding policies and learner support resources among all stakeholders.

Data and Reporting

Maintain accurate records of safeguarding incidents, learner support cases, and feedback to inform continuous improvement.

Provide regular reports and insights to leadership on trends, challenges, and opportunities for enhancing the learner experience.

Use learner feedback to develop strategies that improve engagement and satisfaction.

Qualifications and Skills

Key Skills and Attributes:

Strong understanding of safeguarding regulations and child protection procedures.

Knowledge of special educational needs (SEN) and strategies to support diverse learners.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with learners, parents, and staff.

Ability to build positive relationships with learners and families, demonstrating empathy and sensitivity.

Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.

Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, alongside external agencies.

A proactive approach to identifying and addressing learner needs.

Experience in managing sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.

Qualifications and Experience:

Relevant qualification in education, social work, psychology, or related field (e.g., degree, diploma, or certificate in safeguarding, SEN, or child protection).

Experience working in an educational or safeguarding setting, ideally with a focus on supporting learners with additional needs.

Knowledge of relevant legislation and best practices in safeguarding and SEN.

A current Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

Working Conditions:

This role offers a hybrid working model, based out of one of our offices in Manchester, London, or Hellaby.

Full-time position with flexibility for occasional evening or weekend meetings if necessary.

Occasional travel may be required.

Your rewards & benefits

We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know one size doesn’t fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families, too.

Please see our attractive UK benefits here: Pearson Jobs – Benefits

We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing [email protected].

Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.