Safeguarding Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; Bexleyheath; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Wellbeing support

Collaboration across network

Job summary

Lift Bexleyheath is seeking a Safeguarding Officer to manage daily safeguarding concerns, implement procedures, and design targeted support for students, including those with SEND/EHCPs. You will maintain accurate records and advise staff on safeguarding policy while collaborating with social care, police and health services.

You will also report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead and contribute to staff training and safeguarding interventions across the school.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children.
• Experience interacting with external agencies to make formal referrals.

Responsibilities

• Manage and respond to daily live safeguarding concerns.
• Implement safeguarding procedures.
• Design targeted student interventions.
• Offer pastoral care and guidance to vulnerable students, including those with SEND or EHCPs.
• Maintain accurate child protection records on safeguarding systems.
• Monitor staff compliance with annual safeguarding training.
• Build supportive relationships with parents and carers.
• Work with children's social care, police and health services, including attending inter-agency case meetings.
• Ensure all staff and volunteers understand child protection policies.
• Support staff whenever safeguarding concerns are raised.
• Report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Skills

KCSIE understanding

Restorative practice

Advising safeguarding strategies

Communication with staff and external

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving & proactive thinking

Job description

Safeguarding Officer post at Lift Bexleyheath, a secondary school, working directly under the Designated Safeguarding Lead. The role centres on handling live safeguarding concerns each day, building targeted support and pastoral care for students, including those with SEND or EHCPs, and keeping precise child protection records. It also involves working with children's social care, police and health services and advising staff on policy. Candidates need prior experience making formal referrals to external agencies; visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Manage and respond to daily live safeguarding concerns
• Implement safeguarding procedures
• Design targeted student interventions
• Offer pastoral care and guidance to vulnerable students, including those with SEND or EHCPs
• Maintain accurate child protection records on safeguarding systems
• Monitor staff compliance with annual safeguarding training
• Build supportive relationships with parents and carers
• Work with children's social care, police and health services, including attending inter-agency case meetings
• Ensure all staff and volunteers understand child protection policies
• Support staff whenever safeguarding concerns are raised
• Report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead

Experience

• Experience working with children
• Experience interacting with external agencies to make formal referrals

Skills & knowledge

• Strong understanding of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
• Restorative practice techniques
• Advising staff on safeguarding strategies
• Excellent communication with staff, students, parents and external agencies
• Strong interpersonal skills and stakeholder relationships
• Proactive problem-solving and anticipating issues

Other

• Working under pressure and managing conflicting demands on time
• Empathy
• High discretion and confidentiality
• Commitment to child welfare and equality

What’s offered

• High-quality professional development
• Career progression within Lift Schools
• Wellbeing support
• Opportunities to connect and collaborate across the Lift Schools network