Safeguarder in the Children's Hearings System

Children First; Scotland; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Children First is seeking motivated individuals to become Safeguarders, supporting children during legal processes. The role demands empathy, communication, and a commitment to ensuring children's rights are upheld. Successful applicants will engage directly with children in a responsible, trustworthy manner while making pivotal recommendations to support their welfare.

Benefits

Expenses covered for travel and accommodation

Supportive training environment

Qualifications

• Person with core values of warmth and genuineness towards children.
• Experience in working with children or in judicial processes preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the child’s best interests in court proceedings.
• Gather and analyze relevant information to make clear recommendations.
• Engage effectively with children and professionals.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Listening

Judgment

Analytical Skills

Job description

Do you care passionately about children and their rights being respected? Are you friendly and can you communicate well with children? If so, then you may be interested in becoming a Safeguarder.

Children and young people have told us that a good Safeguarder is someone who is approachable, friendly, shows that they care about them, and sees them as unique individuals.

When a child or young person is involved in a children’s hearing or court case, it can feel really scary, and difficult and life-changing decisions will often need to be made about their future. Safeguarders are appointed by Ministers and have a unique and important role in children’s hearings and related court proceedings. Their role is to support the process to focus on the child’s best interests.

“It makes you feel like you can trust them if they’re friendly (the Safeguarder). You can kind of automatically tell if someone is kind and if you can trust them.” (Young Person)

While skills and knowledge are important in this role, these professional qualifications are secondary to the core values of the person to children and young people. They want warmth and genuineness, and someone who can see them for all that they are without judgement. This is the kind of person that we are looking for.

A Safeguarder ensures that the best interests of a child or young person are considered, that their views are heard and taken into account, and that their human rights are protected. The recommendations made by a Safeguarder can help inform and influence the decisions made at a hearing.

“A Safeguarder should be hopeful that the Panel or Sheriff will make the right decision for the child.” (Young Person)

Children First is contracted by the Scottish Government to manage the national Safeguarders Panel. On behalf of Scotland’s children and young people we are looking for individuals who can:

· Keep a strong focus on the child or young person’s best interests in children’s hearings and related court proceedings

· Listen to and engage with the child or young person while gathering and analysing relevant information, so that you can make recommendations that are clear, well-reasoned, and justified

· Work effectively as an individual and alongside others connected to the role

· Have the values, skills and experience to uphold the vision of the national Safeguarders Panel to be excellent, transparent, consistent and respectful for children and young people and their human rights

Applications are now invited from individuals who are motivated to undertake this key role.

We would particularly welcome applications from individuals who are willing to travel to Safeguarder appointments in the areas of:

West Region - West Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute

Closing Date: Monday 11th August at 12 midday

Shortlisting: Shortlisting will take place the week commencing the 11th August

Interviews: Interviews will be held between 16th September – 10th October

Pre-Appointment Assessment and Training: Candidates who are successful at interview will be required to attend all 6 pre-appointment (full day) assessment and training sessions. These sessions are part of the interview process. The first session will be held in-person in Perth, and the remaining 5 sessions will be held online using Teams.

Candidates will have the option to choose to attend either the weekday sessions (Monday – Wednesday) or the weekend sessions (Friday – Sunday).

Group One:

• Monday 10th November (Perth)
• Tuesday 11th November (Online)
• Monday 24th November (Online)
• Tuesday 25th November (Online)

Group Two:

• Friday 14th November (Perth)
• Saturday 15th November (Online)
• Sunday 16th November (Online)
• Friday 28th November (Online)
• Saturday 29th November (Online)
• Sunday 30th November (Online)

‘After recently completing the pre-appointment training and assessment, I feel I have a greater understanding of the Safeguarder role, as well as feeling better equipped to undertake the role. I also feel confident that there is a good support network around.’ (Safeguarder)

Appointment Start Date: Successful candidates will begin their appointments on 1st April 2026.

Salary: Fees are claimed for work undertaken. The position does not attract a fixed salary and fees and expenses for reasonable travel and subsistence costs are available for each appointment. Please note: There is no payment for attending Pre-appointment Assessment and Training, support sessions or on-going mandatory training (see Children First website for further details). However accommodation will be provided (if required) for the in-person session in Perth, and travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Question and Answer Online Session: We will be holding two Question and Answer Sessions online for anyone who is interested in finding out more about the role, prior to applying. These sessions will be held on Teams on Tuesday 22nd July (2-4pm), Tuesday 29th July (6-8pm). Please contact the Safeguarder Panel Team for joining instructions.

To apply, please download and complete the attached Application form, Application exercise and Equal Opportunities form and email completed forms to [e-mail] or send to People and Culture, Children First, 83 Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh EH9 1AT. Please also state which region(s) you'd be interested in.