Safeguarding Adviser

University of Derby; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Derby is seeking a part-time Safeguarding Adviser to provide specialist support for vulnerable students across Student Services. The role requires managing sensitive cases, coordinating safeguarding interventions, and working with internal and external partners to promote safety and wellbeing.

Based primarily at the Buxton campus with some travel to Kedleston Road in Derby, you will contribute to training, policy implementation and continuous service improvement, ensuring a

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable young people.
• Experience in education, social care, youth work or related field.
• Evidence of current and sustained CPD in safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Act as a point of contact for safeguarding and child protection concerns from students, staff and external agencies.
• Manage a caseload of vulnerable students and provide targeted safeguarding support.
• Collaborate to raise student achievement and remove barriers to learning, through proactive support and training.

Skills

Safeguarding

Child protection

Communication skills

IT proficiency

Education

CPD in safeguarding

Tools

CPOMMS

MyConcern

Job description

£32,942 to £36,977 per annum pro rata (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £42,523.55 per annum, pro rata)

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

The Registry support all aspects of the student journey, right from initial enquiry and application, all the way through to final award and student completion. We strive to provide an outstanding service to all our users and to be thought leaders in our fields of expertise, developing research informed practise. Registry teams work collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver a high-performance culture that promotes wellbeing, diversity and opportunity for all, supporting excellent student experience.

About Student Services

Student Services at the University of Derby is committed to providing the best possible support services to our students, to enhance the student experience, to help students achieve their full potential and to meet the strategic aims of the University. These services are central to the student experience they are visible, seamless, effective and tailored to the needs of our student community. As part of this commitment, a transformational programme of work is underway in Student Services to ensure that the support we deliver meets the needs of our students. We are excited for this next chapter in our service and welcome applicants with vision, drive and a passion for supporting student success.

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in safeguarding and supporting students, helping to create a safe, inclusive and supportive university environment in which all students can thrive. As Safeguarding Adviser, you will work collaboratively across Student Services, academic departments and external agencies to provide specialist support to students with complex needs, those at risk, and individuals experiencing crisis or vulnerability. Acting as a central point of contact for safeguarding and child protection concerns, you will manage a varied caseload, coordinate effective interventions, and ensure the delivery of key safeguarding, Prevent and student support processes.

The successful candidate will build strong relationships across the University and with partner organisations to promote best practice, support student wellbeing and remove barriers to learning and participation. You will contribute to the development of proactive, student-centred services through case management, training delivery, awareness campaigns and preventative initiatives, helping students remain safe, engaged and successful throughout their studies.

Working within a robust legislative and policy framework, you will maintain accurate records, monitor service effectiveness and use data and student feedback to drive continuous improvement. The role also offers the opportunity to influence institutional practice by contributing to committees, working groups and service development projects, while maintaining a visible presence across campus and championing a culture of safety, wellbeing and inclusion for all students.

This role is part time, 18.5 hours per week. The role is primarily based at our Buxton campus with occasional travel to our Kedleston Road campus in Derby.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in supporting vulnerable young people, including children in care and care leavers, individuals in crisis, those at risk of child criminal exploitation, and students working with specialist support services. You will be comfortable operating in a complex environment, working collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver effective, coordinated support.

You will possess a sound understanding of safeguarding and child protection, alongside experience gained in education, social care, youth work, community support or a related field. With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, you will be able to build trusted relationships, advocate for students, maintain accurate case records, and work sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing mental health difficulties.

Most importantly, you will demonstrate resilience, sound judgement and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure, managing competing priorities while delivering a high-quality, student-focused service. A commitment to safeguarding best practice, strong IT skills and a passion for improving outcomes for students are essential.

• Act as a point of contact for any safeguardingconcernsandchildprotection concerns,from students, staff and external agenciesprovidingtimely, relevant support and advicein order tosafeguard the student.
• Manage a caseload of vulnerable students, providing targeted safeguarding support to those at risk, including children in care and care leavers, students in crisis, young parents, those at risk of criminal exploitation, and individuals subject to Child in Need or Child Protection plans.
• To collaborate and support the design of proactive supporttohelp to raise student achievement and performance by working collaboratively toidentifystudents who are experiencing social,personaland behavioural barriers to learning.
• Maintain a visible and proactive presence across campus to promote positive behaviour and a safe environment, addressing bullying, harassment, and anti-social behaviour in line with safeguarding and security protocols.
• Recognise, record and promote student progress and achievement, contributing to an environment in which students feel encouraged, supported and able to succeed.
• Embed a student-centred approach in service delivery, using feedback and insight to evaluate impact and inform continuous service improvement in collaboration with the Student Welfare Manager.
• Maintain expert and current knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, regulatory frameworks, GDPR, and legislation, applying these to ensure accurate, consistent decision-making and delivery of high-quality services in line with agreed standards.
• Design and deliver workshops and training to staff to support them in their interactions with students who have mental health/wellbeing issues and safeguarding concerns e.g., managing boundaries, supporting students in crisis.
• Maintaining all case files, statistical records, relevant databases, files, records and KPIs in accordance with legislation and best practice.
• Toassistin thedevelopment and delivery of key wellbeing literature, onlinematerialand support for key student life cycle events such as induction, welcome week etc.design and deliver skills sessions, and contribute to wellbeing campaigns.
• Work collaboratively with academic staff and Student Services colleagues to deliver a coordinated and effective support offer for students experiencing mental health difficulties.
• Support the embedding of data and monitoring and evaluation strategies to ensure a cycle of continuous improvement to ensure effective and improved service delivery.
• Represent and/or promote Student Services at both internal and external meetings/events, contribute to committees and working groups within the University focusing on areas relating to complex student support, safeguarding and mental health and wellbeing.
• Contribute to the work of Student Services, working collaboratively and towards the shared goals of the Department.
• Ensure that the Student Services profile is maintained across the University by representing the service on internal committees and working groups, overseeing staff contributions to publicity materials, co-ordinating involvement in induction sessions and Open Events.
• Tocomply withthe requirements of Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, Prevent, Health and Safety, Quality and other University policies including Equal Opportunities, Risk Management and Equality and Diversity.
• Relevant Safeguarding training and/or extensive experience of safeguarding matters

Experience

• Experience of working with vulnerable young people, examplesinclude,Children in Care, young people in crisis, those at risk of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and those supported by specialist agencies
• Experience of working in a complex environment with multiple stakeholders
• Experience of working with people from a diverse range of backgrounds including people with mental health difficulties
• Experience working in a social care, community, youth work, advice and guidance or education role with young people
• Experiencing of working with clients over a sustained period and of maintaining accurate case notes and files

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• A deep understanding and knowledge of child protection and safeguarding matters
• Knowledge of local NHS mental health services e.g., Crisis Team, Early Intervention Team etc.
• Capacity to work patiently, emphatically, and non-judgmentally
• Ability to liaise with others as appropriate with due regard to boundaries of confidentiality
• Ability to advocate with and on behalf of students and to promote self - advocacy
• Excellentcommunication, negotiating, mediating and interpersonal skills, in particular, an ability to relate well to young people, parents/carers,colleaguesand professionals
• Excellent IT skills with experience of MS Office including Word, PowerPoint, MS teams, Excel and Outlook to a very high standard
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to maintain reliable / accurate systems, case notes and files
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to handle stressful and competing demands, remaining calm and confident during difficult situations
• A commitment to the University's values and behaviours
• Highly customer focused

Business requirements

• Ability to work outside of normal working hours (including some evenings and weekends), to support the business during key University events, such as Graduation, Clearing and Open Days
• Completed DBS check with child barred list

Qualifications

• Evidence of current and sustained CPD in safeguarding

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Proficiencyin using specialist safeguarding/pastoral software for example CPOMMS and/or My Concern
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Claire Tabberer, Deputy Head of Student Services via [e-mail]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail] .

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity,diversityand inclusion at the University of Derby, pleasevisitour website .

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice , and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.