Safeguarding Officer

Sandwell College; West Bromwich; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-Tier Salaries

35-50 days annual leave

Career development days

Cycle to Work Scheme

Discounts on onsite services

Gym facilities access

Generous pension contributions

Job summary

Sandwell College is seeking a dedicated Safeguarding Officer to join our Central Safeguarding team. You will provide a responsive service to learners, addressing concerns promptly and in line with statutory duties, within a fast-paced educational environment.

You will work with the Safeguarding Lead and wider team to manage cases, liaise with parents, social workers, and external agencies, and maintain confidential records while delivering safeguarding training and resources across the campus.

Qualifications

• Level 3 safeguarding qualification (or willingness to complete within timeframe)
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above
• Experience in safeguarding roles or student services/educational support
• Experience supporting learners in an educational environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience handling confidential information
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Understanding of promoting positive behaviour and attitudes
• Excellent administrative, organisational, and workload-management skills
• Ability to work in challenging environments and respond professionally to confrontation
• Willingness to be on call for safeguarding concerns

Responsibilities

• Respond to student disclosures and safeguarding concerns; manage incidents
• Collect and collate information with colleagues and external partners
• Gather evidence (e.g., CCTV, social media) to support safeguarding and crime prevention
• Collaborate with Safeguarding Lead and team on cases and preventative measures
• Manage caseloads including Child Protection and Child in Need
• Act as contact for parents/carers, social workers, and external agencies; attend meetings
• Support staff with safeguarding queries per College policy
• Maintain accurate and confidential safeguarding records using specialist software
• Work with Security and Student Support Officers to maintain a safe campus
• Develop and deliver safeguarding resources and training on equality, respect, and British values

Skills

Level 3 safeguarding

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Experience with safeguarding

Strong communication

Confidential records handling

Independent working

Behaviour and discipline knowledge

Administrative skills

On-call readiness

Education

Level 3 safeguarding qualification

GCSE English & Maths C/4+

Job description

Safeguarding Officer

Application Deadline: 6 November 2026

Department: Central Safeguarding

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sandwell College

Compensation: £28,901 - £33,505 / year

Description

Sandwell College is seeking a dedicated and proactive Safeguarding Officer to join our high-performing Safeguarding team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about protecting and supporting young people and vulnerable adults within an educational setting.

As a key member of the Safeguarding Team, you will provide a responsive and professional service to learners, ensuring concerns are addressed promptly, appropriately, and in line with statutory responsibilities. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have strong communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

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

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We are looking for someone who has:

Essential:

• Level 3 qualification in child safeguarding (or willingness to complete within a set timeframe)
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above
• Recent experience in a similar role such as Safeguarding, Student Services/Support or a service role requiring strong communication at all levels
• Experience supporting learners in an educational environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience handling and recording confidential information
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Understanding of how to promote positive behaviour and attitudes
• Excellent administrative, organisational, and workload-management skills
• Ability to work in challenging environments and respond professionally to confrontation
• Willingness to be "on call" to respond to safeguarding concerns

Desirable:

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

Benefits

• Top-Tier Salaries – We offer sector-leading pay with some of the most competitive salaries around
• Unbeatable Time Off – Enjoy 35-50 days of annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays AND extra time off at Christmas – because work-life balance is essential
• Fast-Track Your Career – Take advantage of dedicated development days, career pathways, and talent schemes designed to help you grow and succeed
• Cycle to Work Scheme – A healthier, greener, and more cost-effective way to commute
• Exclusive Discounts on Onsite Services – Save on Bliss Hair & Beauty Salon, dog grooming, car health checks, and more
• Fitness Perks – Enjoy our college gym facilities or discounted rates at local gyms to keep you feeling your best
• Generous Pension Contributions – We invest in your future with 23.68% employer contribution for teaching roles and 21.5% for non-teaching roles
• Retail & Travel Discounts – Unlock exclusive savings on high street brands, local transport, cross-country travel. UNIDAYS, Student Beans and Blue Light Discount
• Free Will Writing – We’ve got your back with professional support for your future planning
• Free Flu Vaccine – Stay healthy and protected at no cost to you
• Wellbeing Support – Access confidential counselling services and wellness platforms to support your mental and emotional health
• We Celebrate You! – We recognise and appreciate your hard work with awards, recognition events, and celebration days throughout the year.