Role Purpose
The Safeguarding Officer is responsible for supporting the effective management of safeguarding concerns across the organisation. The role ensures that concerns relating to children, young people and adults at risk are identified, recorded, assessed and responded to promptly and appropriately, in line with legislation, statutory guidance and organisational policies.
Working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, managers and practitioners, the Safeguarding Officer provides advice and guidance, supports referrals and information sharing, maintains accurate safeguarding records, and helps ensure that safeguarding practice remains consistent, proportionate and focused on the safety and wellbeing of those who use the organisation’s services.
Main Responsibilities
· Maintain accurate, confidential and up-to-date records for all safeguarding and child/adult protection concerns, referrals, actions and outcomes.
- Prepare safeguarding reports for the Senior Management Team, Board of Trustees, commissioners and external agencies as required.
- Take appropriate action where individual practice concerns, procedural gaps or service trends indicate non-compliance with safeguarding policy or procedure.
- Identify internal and external risks to Service Six’s safeguarding framework and take steps to reduce, manage or escalate these risks as appropriate.
- Collate and report on safeguarding actions linked to court processes, legal proceedings or statutory agency requests, where required.
- Promote safeguarding as a visible and embedded part of Service Six’s culture, communications, service delivery and organisational practice.
- Provide guidance and support to staff, volunteers, sessional workers and trustees in relation to safeguarding concerns, processes and associated administration.
- Ensure the voice, wishes and feelings of children and young people are actively sought, heard and considered within safeguarding processes and practice.
- Promote sensitive, inclusive and trauma-informed safeguarding practice that recognises the needs, rights and experiences of children, young people, adults at risk and families.
- Respond appropriately to safeguarding disclosures, allegations, incidents or concerns relating to the wellbeing or safety of a child, young person or adult at risk.
- Make referrals to statutory agencies and other external organisations where safeguarding thresholds are met or where specialist advice, support or intervention is required.
- Liaise with statutory agencies to ensure relevant information is shared appropriately and in a timely manner.
- Attend and contribute to external safeguarding meetings, strategy discussions, child protection conferences, child in need meetings, adult safeguarding meetings, reviews and multi-agency meetings as required. Some meetings may take place outside normal working hours.
- Act as an advocate for children and young people where appropriate, ensuring their views and experiences are represented within safeguarding discussions and decision-making.
- Undertake or contribute to professional assessments of need and risk, in line with local authority procedures and safeguarding thresholds.
- Support staff and practitioners with safeguarding decision-making, recording, referral pathways and follow-up actions.
Person Specification
Essential criteria
Qualifications and professional development
- Relevant professional qualification or substantial equivalent experience in safeguarding, social care, education, health, youth work or a related field.
- Up-to-date safeguarding children training at an appropriate advanced level.
- Evidence of continuing professional development relating to safeguarding children and young people.
Knowledge
- Thorough understanding of safeguarding and child protection principles and practice.
- Knowledge of the legal and statutory framework relating to safeguarding children and young people.
- Understanding of thresholds for early help, child in need and child protection intervention.
- Knowledge of local safeguarding procedures, referral pathways and multi-agency working arrangements.
- Understanding of confidentiality, consent, information sharing and data protection within a safeguarding context.
- Understanding of the effects of trauma, abuse, neglect and adverse childhood experiences on children and young people.
- Knowledge of safeguarding risks affecting children and young people, including exploitation, domestic abuse, online harm, self-harm, suicide risk, radicalisation and harmful sexual behaviour.
- Understanding of professional boundaries, safer working practices and allegations involving employees, volunteers or practitioners.
Experience
- Experience of working in a safeguarding, child protection or welfare role involving children and young people.
- Experience of identifying, assessing and responding to safeguarding concerns.
- Experience of making safeguarding referrals and liaising with statutory agencies.
- Experience of maintaining accurate, confidential and timely safeguarding records.
- Experience of contributing to risk assessments, safety plans and safeguarding decisions.
- Experience of working collaboratively with children, young people, parents, carers and professionals.
- Experience of managing sensitive, complex or distressing information appropriately.
- Experience of providing safeguarding advice and guidance to colleagues.
Skills and abilities
- Ability to recognise indicators of abuse, neglect, exploitation and other safeguarding risks.
- Ability to analyse information, assess levels of risk and make proportionate safeguarding decisions.
- Ability to remain calm and respond effectively in urgent or high-risk situations.
- Ability to communicate sensitively and appropriately with children and young people.
- Ability to explain safeguarding decisions clearly to employees, families and partner agencies.
- Strong written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, accurate and objective records and reports.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to challenge unsafe practice appropriately and professionally.
- Ability to work effectively with professionals from different agencies and disciplines.
- Ability to demonstrate professional curiosity and avoid making assumptions or reaching premature conclusions.
- Ability to balance confidentiality with the need to share information to protect a child or young person.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and respond promptly to safeguarding concerns.
- Ability to work independently, use professional judgement and escalate concerns when required.
- Competent in the use of electronic case-management systems and standard office software.
Personal qualities
- Clear commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- Approachable and able to establish trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Emotionally resilient and able to manage sensitive and distressing information.
- Objective, fair and able to make difficult decisions based on evidence and risk.
- Respectful, inclusive and non-judgemental.
- Demonstrates integrity, discretion and professional accountability.
- Willing to challenge poor or unsafe practice, regardless of seniority or role.
- Committed to listening to and reflecting the voice of the child or young person.
- Committed to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice.
- Able to reflect on practice, receive supervision and act on professional feedback.
Additional requirements
- Willingness to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, including the relevant barred-list check where applicable.
- Commitment to complying with Service Six’s safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance and professional conduct requirements.
- Ability to work flexibly in response to safeguarding incidents or service requirements.
- Ability to travel to Service Six locations and external meetings where required.
Desirable Criteria
Qualifications and professional development
- Designated Safeguarding Lead training or equivalent.
- Relevant qualification in social work, education, counselling, youth work, health or criminal justice.
- Training relating to safeguarding adults, domestic abuse, exploitation, contextual safeguarding or harmful sexual behaviour.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of safeguarding considerations within therapeutic, mental health or youth support services.
- Understanding of safeguarding adults and transition arrangements for young people approaching adulthood.
- Knowledge of the safeguarding requirements that apply to charities and organisations working with children and young people.
Experience
- Experience of contributing to or delivering safeguarding training, briefings or staff development.
- Experience of auditing safeguarding records, practice or organisational compliance.
- Experience of attending multi-agency meetings, strategy discussions, child protection conferences or similar meetings.
- Experience of working within a charity, mental health service, youth organisation, school, healthcare setting or similar environment.
- Experience of supporting organisational responses to allegations or concerns involving employees, volunteers or practitioners.
Benefits
- 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro-rata)
- 6% pension contribution from the employee
- Ongoing training and development
- Travel expenses reimbursed in line with policy
- Access to YuLife (Employee Assistance Programme)
Safeguarding Statement
Service Six is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and must demonstrate a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures.
Equal Opportunities Statement
We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.
Pay: £18,850.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
