Safeguarding Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; Sandwell; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension contribution

Development days

Cycle to work

Discounts on services

Gym access

Wellbeing support

Will/wills and flu vaccine

Job summary

Sandwell College’s Central Safeguarding team is recruiting a permanent full-time Safeguarding Officer to take on learner disclosures and concerns across the college. The role carries a caseload of learners with complex needs, including child protection and child in need cases, and involves regular contact with social workers, youth offending workers and other agencies.

A Level 3 child safeguarding qualification is required, or must be completed within a set timeframe.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication
• Excellent administrative, organisational and workload-management skills
• Understanding of how to promote positive behaviour and attitudes
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work in challenging environments and respond professionally to confrontation
• Level 3 safeguarding qualification or willingness to complete within set timeframe
• GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above

Responsibilities

• Respond to student disclosures, safeguarding concerns and incidents
• Manage a caseload of students with complex needs including child protection and child in need
• Gather evidence (CCTV, social media) to support crime prevention/detection
• Collate information by liaising with colleagues and external partners
• Work with Safeguarding Lead to manage cases and keep learners safe
• Act as key contact for parents, carers, social workers, YOT and external agencies
• Support staff with safeguarding queries in line with college policy
• Maintain confidential safeguarding records using specialist software
• Coordinate with Security and campus teams to maintain a safe campus
• Develop and deliver safeguarding training and resources on safeguarding and British Values
• Willingness to be on call for safeguarding concerns

Skills

Strong communication

Administrative skills

Time/workload management

Behaviour management awareness

Teamwork

Education

Level 3 safeguarding qualification

GCSE English and Maths (C/4+)

Job description

Sandwell College's Central Safeguarding team is recruiting a permanent full-time Safeguarding Officer to take on learner disclosures and concerns across the college. The role carries a caseload of learners with complex needs, including child protection and child in need cases, and involves regular contact with social workers, youth offending workers and other agencies. It also covers gathering evidence such as CCTV, working with campus security and behaviour staff, and being on call for safeguarding concerns. A Level 3 child safeguarding qualification is required, or must be completed within a set timeframe.

What the job involves

• Respond to student disclosures, safeguarding concerns and internal or external incidents
• Manage a caseload of students with complex needs, including child protection and child in need cases
• Gather evidence proactively, including CCTV and social media content, to support crime prevention and detection
• Collect and collate information by liaising with colleagues and external partners
• Work with the Safeguarding Lead and wider team to manage cases and put measures in place to keep learners safe
• Act as key contact for parents and carers, social workers, YOT workers and external agencies, attending professional meetings
• Support staff and managers with safeguarding queries in line with college policy
• Maintain accurate, confidential safeguarding records using specialist software
• Work with Security, Student Support Officers and Behaviour Wardens to maintain a safe campus
• Develop and deliver training and resources on safeguarding, equality, respect and British Values

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in child safeguarding, or willingness to complete one within a set timeframe
• GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above

Experience

• Recent experience in a similar role, such as safeguarding, student services or support, or a service role requiring strong communication at all levels
• Experience supporting learners in an educational environment
• Experience handling and recording confidential information

Skills & knowledge

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent administrative, organisational and workload-management skills
• Understanding of how to promote positive behaviour and attitudes
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work in challenging environments and respond professionally to confrontation

Other

• Willingness to be on call to respond to safeguarding concerns

Nice to have

• Demonstrable commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people

What's offered

• 35-50 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and extra time off at Christmas
• 21.5% employer pension contribution for non-teaching roles
• Development days, career pathways and talent schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on onsite services, high street retail and travel
• College gym facilities or discounted rates at local gyms
• Confidential counselling and wellbeing platforms
• Free will writing and free flu vaccine