Rebekah Langstone
Wendover ,Bucks
Summary
Experienced safeguarding leader with a strong background in education safeguarding leadership within a statutory multi-agency context. Demonstrates expertise in conducting safeguarding audits of schools and colleges against Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) standards, and providing education input to strategy discussions, Section 47 enquiries, and child protection conferences. Skilled in attendance, exclusion, SEND, and EHE analysis to inform risk and planning. Offers professional supervision, coaching, and challenge to Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and senior leaders. Proven track record of multi-agency collaboration with MASH, Police, Children's Social Care, and Early Help. Adept at safeguarding intelligence analysis and thematic learning. Experienced in delivering training to education settings and partner agencies while ensuring quality assurance through Ofsted complaint responses.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Education Safeguarding Advisor
Oxfordshire County Council – Children's Services
2020.03 - 2026.03
- Acts as the specialist education safeguarding advisor within the local authority, ensuring education information, statutory responsibilities and professional judgement inform child protection activity and multi-agency decision-making.
- Provide timely, authoritative safeguarding advice to MASH, Police, Children's Social Care and Early Help. Represent education at multi-agency meetings, contributing high-quality analysis of attendance, vulnerability, safeguarding history and school context. Ensure education fulfils its statutory safeguarding role in line with Working Together and KCSiE.
- Lead safeguarding reviews and audits of schools and colleges against KCSiE and local authority expectations. Identify non-compliance, provide professional challenge to senior leaders and governors, and secure and monitor remedial action to drive sustained improvement.
- Support schools where safeguarding concerns escalate, including following Ofsted inspection or local authority intelligence. Develop and monitor safeguarding action plans, provide targeted training, and quality-assure safeguarding recording systems including CPOMS and MyConcern.
- Contribute to the development and analysis of the annual Section 157/175 safeguarding report, identifying system-wide themes, risks and learning. Use safeguarding intelligence to inform targeted quality assurance and early intervention. Contribute to DSL networks and forums.
- Provide professional supervision, coaching and safeguarding oversight to DSLs and deputy DSLs. Mentor new members of the Education Safeguarding Advisory Team and deliver safeguarding and safer recruitment training.
- Manage and respond to safeguarding-related complaints to Ofsted, liaising with schools and compiling formal local authority responses.
Pastoral Care Manager & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Witherslack Group – Specialist Education Setting
- Held full DSL responsibility within a specialist education environment. Led safeguarding practice, ensured statutory compliance and acted as lead professional for multi-agency safeguarding. Commended by Ofsted for strong safeguarding leadership and effective multi-agency working.
- Introduced new care protocols to improve pupil safety.
- Supported boarders wellbeing by creating engaging recreational activities.
- Led multidisciplinary teams on complex cases, ensuring cohesive case management approach.
- Created individualised care plans, ensuring personalised attention to each boarder.
- Enhanced team collaboration with regular team meetings and feedback sessions.
- Monitored medication administration, reducing incidents of errors.
- Oversaw financial management of the facility
- Constantly met care quality goals, ensuring optimal staffing levels and skill mix were achieved through effective rota management.
- Promoted individual wellbeing were safeguarded against abuse and neglect.
- Created a safe environment for all boarders, ensuring compliance with infection prevention policies across all tasks.
Head of Care | Deputy Head of Care | Residential Social Worker
Wendover House School
2013.01 - 2020.03
- Senior leadership responsibility for safeguarding within a residential education setting. Managed safeguarding concerns, staff supervision, risk assessments and compliance with national standards. Worked closely with education staff, families and external safeguarding professionals and contributed to inspections and audits.
Education
CMI Level 4 - Leadership and Management for Care Services
CACHE Level 3 NVQ - Children's Care, Learning and Development
BTEC National Diploma - Performing Arts
GCSEs - undefined
Skills
- Education safeguarding leadership within a statutory multi-agency context
- Education input to strategy discussions, Section 47 enquiries and child protection conferences
- Safeguarding audits of schools and colleges against KCSiE
- Attendance, exclusion, SEND and EHE analysis to inform risk and planning
- Professional supervision, coaching and challenge to DSLs and senior leaders
- Multi-agency working with MASH, Police, Children's Social Care and Early Help
- Safeguarding intelligence analysis and thematic learning
- Ofsted complaint responses and quality assurance
- Training delivery to education settings and partner agencies
Certification
- Safeguarding Supervision – NSPCC (2023)
- Designated Safeguarding Lead Training (Level 3) – High Speed Training (2025)
- Prevent (Levels 1–3) – Department for Education
- Safer Recruitment – Train the Trainer – Lucy Faithfull Foundation
- Key Adult Training - Operation Encompass
References
Available on request.
Professional Attributes
- Confident exercising professional autonomy and accountability in complex safeguarding cases
- Highly developed analytical and report-writing skills
- Able to provide constructive challenge within multi-agency settings
- Organised, resilient and effective in high-risk environments
- Strong commitment to equality, inclusion and children's rights
Timeline
Education Safeguarding Advisor
Oxfordshire County Council – Children's Services
2020.03 - 2026.03
Head of Care | Deputy Head of Care | Residential Social Worker
Wendover House School
2013.01 - 2020.03
CACHE Level 3 NVQ - Children's Care, Learning and Development
BTEC National Diploma - Performing Arts
GCSEs - undefined
Pastoral Care Manager & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Witherslack Group – Specialist Education Setting