Job Description
Safeguarding Officer
Permanent
Full Time
Location: Northwest - predominately Crewe and Northwich
The Safeguarding Officer will provide front-line support across Study Programme sites, ensuring safeguarding and welfare concerns are identified early and responded to appropriately.
The role focuses mainly on low and medium-level safeguarding and welfare concerns, with high-level concerns managed by the DSL, supported by the Safeguarding Officer where required.
You will support learners who may experience barriers to learning, including (but not limited to):
* Learners known to, or previously known to, Early Help or social care
* Learners experiencing mental health or wellbeing needs
* Learners with attendance concerns or missing from learning
* Learners with additional needs, including those with an EHCP
* Learners facing wider personal or social challenges
This is a busy and rewarding role that requires strong organisation, compassion, initiative and attention to detail.
Key Responsibilities include:
* Provide front-line safeguarding and welfare support to learners across Study Programme sites.
* Respond to safeguarding and welfare concerns in a calm, caring and timely way.
* Manage and support low and medium-level safeguarding concerns, seeking advice from the DSL and escalating promptly where risk increases.
* Work closely with the Programme Manager and Study Programme colleagues to support consistent safeguarding practice.
* Build trusted relationships with learners and provide advice, guidance and reassurance around mental health, wellbeing, safety and self-care.
* Support Early Help referrals and work with Early Help and other external agencies to ensure learners receive appropriate support.
* Maintain accurate, timely and high-quality safeguarding and welfare records using agreed systems, including CPOMS.
* Promote early intervention, professional curiosity and a positive safeguarding culture.
* Support safeguarding education and awareness activity with learners and colleagues.
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation, guidance and best practice relevant to post-16 education.
* Complete safeguarding training, supervision and CPD as required.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Essential
* Experience of working directly with young people in an education, training, youth or support setting.
* Experience of supporting young people with mental health, wellbeing and personal safety.
* Understanding of safeguarding principles, legislation and best practice for children and young people.
* Experience of responding to welfare or safeguarding concerns and providing advice, guidance and signposting.
* Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain clear, factual and accurate records.
* Knowledge of GDPR and information sharing principles.
* Level 2 in English and Maths (or willingness to work towards).
Desirable
* Previous safeguarding experience, including Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) experience.
* Experience of supporting Early Help referrals and working with external agencies.
* Experience using CPOMS or similar safeguarding recording systems.
* A safeguarding, youth work or DSL-related qualification (or willingness to work towards).
Job Specific Skills:
* Excellent communication and listening skills, with the ability to build trust with learners and colleagues.
* Calm, compassionate and supportive approach, particularly in sensitive situations.
* Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload.
* High levels of professional curiosity - alert, observant and confident to act when something doesn’t feel right.
* Ability to use initiative and judgement while working within safeguarding procedures.
* Commitment to continuous improvement and reflective practice.