Are you an experienced safeguarding professional who wants to make a real difference for the most vulnerable young people in your community? Do you want to work alongside a committed, values‑driven team who go above and beyond for students in often difficult circumstances and take genuine pride in seeing them achieve against the odds? If so, we would love to hear from you.
As our Designated Safeguarding Officer, you will act as a key source of safeguarding expertise and advocacy across the College, working closely with the Designated Safeguarding and Prevent Lead, Student Services and wider teams to protect and promote the welfare of vulnerable students. You will lead on referrals and casework, develop and deliver staff training, build effective partnerships with external agencies and lead on a specialist safeguarding area, bringing both knowledge and leadership to a function that sits at the heart of college life. This is a term‑time post (38 weeks per year), based at our Borehamwood Campus with travel to other College sites as required.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Safeguarding expertise and advocacy: act as a key source of safeguarding knowledge across the College, advocating for students identified as vulnerable or at risk and demonstrating sound understanding of procedures and the complex issues they face.
* Referrals and casework: lead on referrals, action queries appropriately and in line with KCSIE, GDPR and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and lead on collaborative strategy meetings involving relevant professionals.
* Records and quality assurance: maintain accurate, up‑to‑date safeguarding records that evidence how risks are identified and mitigated, supporting compliance, quality assurance and inspection readiness.
* Specialist area lead: take ownership of a specialist safeguarding area such as CCE, CSE, VAWG, misogyny/misandry or online safety, developing expertise and sharing best practice across the College.
* Training and awareness: lead on the planning and delivery of safeguarding training for staff and promote key safeguarding updates to staff and students across all campuses using College platforms.
* Partnership working: develop and sustain effective relationships with internal teams and external agencies including social care, the police, health services and other statutory partners to ensure joined‑up, effective safeguarding responses.
* Statutory compliance: support the Designated Safeguarding and Prevent Lead to ensure Governors, Senior Management and staff fulfil their statutory obligations under relevant legislation and guidance.
What You’ll Bring
Essential
* A relevant Level 3 qualification
* English and Maths at Grade 5‑9 or equivalent
* Designated Safeguarding Officer training completed within the last 3 years
* Proven experience and understanding of child protection procedures, referral processes and legislation
* Proven experience of adult safeguarding and referral processes
* Proven experience of multi‑agency working
* Experience of supporting and working with vulnerable students in mainstream and more complex needs settings (e.g. EHCP, LAC, YOT, CP, CiN)
* Experience of Serious Safeguarding Reviews
* Excellent report writing and record keeping skills with high attention to detail
* Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted relationships with young people, families, staff and external professionals
* Ability to negotiate, manage conflict and work effectively under pressure
* High level of integrity, confidentiality and understanding of GDPR and information‑sharing protocols
* IT literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Office and safeguarding‑related systems
* Willingness to travel and work across all main College campuses
* Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding
Even Better If You Have
* A higher‑level qualification in safeguarding, social work, education or a related field
* Experience delivering safeguarding training to staff
* Experience working in a further education or post‑16 setting
* Specialist knowledge in areas such as CCE, CSE, VAWG, online safety or Prevent
Our Employee Pledge
The College offers employees a generous holiday allowance of 31 days annual leave for our support staff plus bank holidays, pro‑rated for part‑time employees. We also offer an attractive package of optional benefits for employees to take advantage of.
* Annual Season Ticket Loans: permanent or contract staff with a minimum of a 12‑month contract can purchase an annual season ticket loan with salary sacrifice, spreading the cost over a year and paying back monthly through salary.
* Cycle to Work Scheme: an incentive for staff, offering tax‑free bikes through bike shops run by Cyclescheme Ltd, with potential savings of around 32% on a new bike.
* Employee Support Helpline: the Employee Assistance Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing confidential counselling and advice for you and your family.
* Eye Tests for DSE Users: the College will refund the cost of regular eye tests for staff who use Display Screen Equipment as part of their duties.
* Flu vouchers: established staff receive a free flu vaccination voucher to use at local pharmacies.
* Gym Facilities: the Sports Centre at Southgate Campus provides cardio, strength and conditioning equipment, with the two‑floor gym free for staff to use Monday to Friday during term time.
* Hair Salon Services and Beauty Treatments: competitively‑priced hairdressing services are available at our Colindale Campus, with special staff offers for convenience during lunch or after work.
* High Street Discounts: staff discounts are available for retailers within walking distance of our three main campuses, providing access to savings on leading retail brands.
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