Safeguarding Officer

Barnsley College; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 25,065 - 27,330; Full time

Job summary

Barnsley College is recruiting a Safeguarding Officer to support learners’ welfare and wellbeing. The role focuses on early help, prevention and direct learner support, acting as the first contact for safeguarding concerns and coordinating with teams and external agencies.

Applicants should have a Level 3 safeguarding qualification, English and Maths at A*-C, and proven experience in safeguarding. The post involves term-time, permanent employment with a rewarding scope for impact and

Qualifications

• Level 3 safeguarding qualification required.
• Maths and English at Grade A* to C (or equivalent).
• Experience in safeguarding and advising on early intervention.
• Ability to make appropriate referrals to Children’s/Adult Social Care.
• Experience delivering safeguarding risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Be the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
• Provide early help, safety planning and direct learner support.
• Collaborate with curriculum staff, families and external agencies.
• Attend multi‑agency safeguarding meetings and referrals.
• Deliver safeguarding initiatives and contribute to staff training.

Skills

Safeguarding level 3 qualification

Maths and English (A*-C)

Willingness to undertake training

Experience in safeguarding role

Experience making referrals to social/

Risk assessments

Early intervention & targeted support

Education

Maths and English A*-C

Level 3 Safeguarding qualification

Job description

Safeguarding Officer

Salary: £25,065 to £27,330 per annum (£29,834 to £32,529 full year equivalent)

Contract Type: Permanent – Term Time 37 hours per week

Reference: REC2481 | Closing date: Sunday, 9th August 2026

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about safeguarding and committed to supporting learners to achieve their full potential? Do you have experience of undertaking direct work with young people and adults through early intervention, prevention and targeted support?

Barnsley College is seeking a dedicated, proactive and compassionate Safeguarding Officer to join our experienced Safeguarding Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in promoting the welfare, safety and wellbeing of our learners, with a strong focus on early help, prevention and direct learner support.

As a Safeguarding Officer, you will be at the heart of our safeguarding provision, acting as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns and ensuring timely, effective support is provided to learners who may be vulnerable or at risk. A key aspect of this role is working directly with learners to identify needs at the earliest opportunity, helping to prevent issues from escalating and empowering learners to overcome barriers to their education, wellbeing and personal development.

You will build positive, trusting relationships with learners, providing practical support, safety planning, mentoring and intervention work, while working closely with curriculum staff, parents/carers and a wide range of external agencies. Through effective early help approaches, you will ensure learners receive the right support, at the right time, reducing risk and improving outcomes.

No two days are the same. One day you may be undertaking direct intervention work with a learner, attending a multi‑agency safeguarding meeting or making referrals to Children’s or Adult Social Care; the next you could be completing risk assessments, supporting learner transitions, delivering preventative safeguarding initiatives, or contributing to staff training and awareness activities across College.

This is a highly rewarding role for an experienced safeguarding professional who is passionate about early intervention, prevention and learner‑centred practice. We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, is confident in undertaking direct work with young people and adults and is motivated by making a lasting positive impact on learners’ lives and future outcomes.

About You

You genuinely care about the wellbeing of young people and adults and are committed to helping create an environment where learners feel safe, supported and able to achieve their full potential. You have a professional, approachable manner and the ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people, earning trust while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

You are calm under pressure, resilient when dealing with challenging situations and confident making well‑informed decisions in complex circumstances. With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, you can adapt your approach to support learners, collaborate with colleagues and work effectively with external partners and stakeholders.

Highly organised and able to manage competing priorities, you take a proactive approach to your work and understand the importance of maintaining accurate records, handling sensitive information appropriately and exercising sound judgement. Above all, you share our commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and delivering the highest standards of support to our learners.

Required

• Level 3 Safeguarding related qualification or equivalent
• Maths and English at Grade A* to C (or equivalent)
• Willingness to participate in and undertake further training and development
• Experience in a substantial safeguarding role
• Experience of making appropriate referrals to Children’s and/or Adult Social Care
• Experience of completing safeguarding risk assessments and implementing appropriate control measures that support informed decision‑making
• Experience of providing effective safeguarding support and guidance through early intervention, prevention and targeted support work