Education Safeguarding and Assurance Advisor - 37 Hours

Torbay Council; Devon and Torbay; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Torbay Council is seeking an Education Safeguarding and Assurance Advisor to strengthen safeguarding arrangements across education settings in Torbay. You will lead audits, provide expert advice to schools and childcare providers, and work with the Torbay Safeguarding Partnership to drive improvements.

The role involves collaborating with education providers, social care and safeguarding services, delivering quality assurance, and ensuring compliance with safeguarding legislation while offering

Qualifications

• Evidence of effective written, oral and inter-personal skills, including presentation, advocacy, negotiation and consultation skills.
• Ability to communicate at an appropriate level with children and young people.
• Ability to engage with children and families, education professionals and other stakeholders to obtain the information needed to develop and deliver effective services.
• Ability to work on own initiative and also as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and be confident to understand when information should be shared for safeguarding purposes.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Responsibilities

• Leading the Section 157/175 Education Act safeguarding audit across education settings.
• Delivering safeguarding audits within the private, voluntary, early years and post-16 sectors.
• Supporting schools and providers to meet statutory safeguarding requirements and achieve positive Ofsted outcomes.
• Analysing learning from safeguarding reviews and multi-agency audits, identifying improvements and sharing best practice across the sector.
• Developing model policies, procedures and guidance to strengthen safeguarding arrangements.
• Providing advice, support and training to education professionals and childcare providers.
• Building effective partnerships across education, social care and safeguarding services.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation

Presentation

Advocacy

English fluency

Stakeholder engagement

Independent working

Education

NVQ Level 4/5 or equivalent in a relevant subject area

Job description

Education Safeguarding and Assurance Advisor - 37 Hours

Application Deadline: 18 October 2026

Department: Childrens Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Torbay Council

Reporting To: Team Leader

Compensation: £44,253 - £47,665 / year

Description

Are you passionate about safeguarding children and young people? Do you have the expertise, confidence and influence to support education providers in maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding practice?

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Education Safeguarding and Assurance Advisor to play a pivotal role in strengthening safeguarding arrangements across education settings throughout Torbay. This is an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively with schools, early years providers, childcare settings, post-16 providers and safeguarding partners to ensure children and young people are protected and supported to thrive.

About the Role

As Education Safeguarding and Assurance Advisor, you will provide expert advice, support and challenge to education providers on all aspects of safeguarding practice. Working closely with the Education Safeguarding Lead, Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), and the Torbay Safeguarding Partnership, you will lead on safeguarding audits, quality assurance activities and the dissemination of learning from safeguarding reviews.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the Section 157/175 Education Act safeguarding audit across education settings.
• Delivering safeguarding audits within the private, voluntary, early years and post-16 sectors.
• Supporting schools and providers to meet statutory safeguarding requirements and achieve positive Ofsted outcomes.
• Analysing learning from safeguarding reviews and multi-agency audits, identifying improvements and sharing best practice across the sector.
• Developing model policies, procedures and guidance to strengthen safeguarding arrangements.
• Providing advice, support and training to education professionals and childcare providers.
• Building effective partnerships across education, social care and safeguarding services.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

• Significant experience working within an education setting in a senior capacity.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, guidance and statutory requirements.
• Experience of multi-agency working and quality assurance processes.
• Experience of the Ofsted inspection framework and implementing organisational change.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
• A relevant Level 4/5 qualification (or equivalent) and a commitment to continuous professional development.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people across Torbay. You'll be joining a forward-thinking team committed to achieving the very best outcomes for families whilst supporting educational providers to deliver safe, effective and inclusive services. The role offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements and the opportunity to work with a broad range of professionals across the education and safeguarding sectors.

Additional Information

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and safeguarding vetting requirements. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Join us and help shape a safer future for children and young people across Torbay.

This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/education-safeguarding-and-assurance-advisor/

For an informal chat please contact Helen Rawlings on 01803 208100 or [e-mail].

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 26th October 2026.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

At times there is a need to close our adverts earlier than the date specified, however this advert will not close before 8th October. If you are keen to submit an application, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills

Essential:

• Evidence of effective written, oral and inter-personal skills, including presentation, advocacy, negotiation and consultation skills.
• Ability to communicate at an appropriate level with children and young people.
• Ability to engage with children and families, education professionals and other stakeholders to obtain the information needed to develop and deliver effective services.
• Ability to work on own initiative and also as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and be confident to understand when information should be shared for safeguarding purposes.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge

Essential:

• Experience of multi-agency working.
• Knowledge of the audit process for both the Section 157/175 and Section 11.
• Knowledge of the Ofsted Registration and Inspection process.
• Knowledge of the Welfare Requirements of the Childcare Act 2006.
• Knowledge of the Children Act 1989/ 2004.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Evidence continued professional development.
• NVQ Level 4/5 or equivalent in a relevant subject area.
• Experience of working in an education establishment in a senior capacity.
• Experience of implementing policy and procedures across an organisation to bring about change.
• Experience of OFSTED inspection process.