Safeguarding Officer - Apprenticeships

University of Hertfordshire; Hatfield; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Flexible location opportunities within

Discounted Sports Village memberships

Free Active Staff sessions

Personal and professional development

Family-friendly policies

Job summary

The University of Hertfordshire is seeking a Safeguarding Officer for Apprenticeships to coordinate safeguarding, Prevent, wellbeing and British Values across apprenticeship programmes. You will support learners on campus and in the workplace, ensuring high safeguarding standards and effective referrals.

Working within Student Wellbeing Services, you will build strong partnerships with employers and academic staff, providing expert guidance and training while maintaining confidential records and

Qualifications

• You will hold a degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Level 2 safeguarding qualification is essential.
• Experience in safeguarding in education or training settings is required.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary safeguarding and wellbeing contact for apprenticeship learners.
• Assess risk and coordinate timely, appropriate responses while maintaining records.
• Collaborate with learners, employers, and staff to ensure support and referrals.
• Support quality assurance, audits, and continuous improvement in safeguarding practices.

Skills

Safeguarding expertise

Risk assessment

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

Degree or equivalent professional experience

Level 2 safeguarding qualification

Level 3 safeguarding qualification (desirable)

Job description

Post Title: Safeguarding Officer - Apprenticeships

SBU/Department: Dean of Students / Student Wellbeing Services

FTE: 1FTE (Working 37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Permanent

Annual Leave: 30 days, plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: College Lane Campus, Hatfield

Make a real difference to apprentice safety and wellbeing

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in which every learner can thrive. As our apprenticeship provision continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced safeguarding professional who combines sound judgement with warmth, credibility and a clear commitment to putting learners first.

Working within Student Wellbeing Services and in close partnership with the Centre for Education and Student Success Apprenticeships Team, you will coordinate safeguarding, Prevent, wellbeing and British Values arrangements across our apprenticeship programmes and Academic Schools. You will support apprentices who learn both at the University and in the workplace and help us maintain high standards of safeguarding practice, compliance and continuous improvement.

Main duties and responsibilities

The Safeguarding Officer - Apprenticeships will act as the primary point of contact for safeguarding and wellbeing concerns relating to apprenticeship learners, ensuring that issues are managed sensitively, professionally and in line with relevant policies and procedures. They will assess and manage risk, coordinate timely and proportionate responses, and maintain accurate and confidential case records.

Working collaboratively with learners, employers, academic colleagues, professional services and external agencies, the postholder will ensure that appropriate support mechanisms and referrals are in place to promote learner safety and wellbeing. They will provide expert advice, guidance and training on safeguarding, Prevent, wellbeing and British Values, helping to build awareness and confidence across the apprenticeship community.

The role will also involve contributing to quality assurance activity, audits and inspections, identifying themes and emerging risks, and using insights gained to support continuous improvement. Throughout the apprenticeship journey, from induction and engagement through to programme completion, the postholder will champion and promote a positive safeguarding culture that prioritises learner welfare and supports successful outcomes.

Skills and experience required

You will possess proven experience of managing safeguarding concerns or complex wellbeing cases within an education or training environment. You will be able to demonstrate experience of applying safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and organisational procedures in practice, alongside a working knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education and safeguarding vulnerable adults legislation.

You will have an understanding of the Prevent Duty and British Values within education and training, as well as knowledge of mental health difficulties, available support pathways and external referral processes.

You will be able to assess risk effectively, maintain accurate records and handle sensitive information appropriately. Strong oral and written communication skills are essential, together with excellent organisational abilities and the capacity to manage a varied caseload. Sound professional judgement and the ability to work within defined professional boundaries is essential for this role. A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and learner wellbeing is also essential.

Qualifications required

You will be educated to degree level or have equivalent relevant professional experience. A Level 2 safeguarding qualification is essential. A Level 3 safeguarding qualification, or another relevant professional or postgraduate qualification in safeguarding, education, wellbeing, social care or a related field, is desirable.

REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE

This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as amended. The University requires that the successful applicant who is offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. An Enhanced Disclosure will be required and this will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. The University of Hertfordshire complies with the 'Code of Practice for Registered Persons and other recipients of Disclosure Information'.

Overseas applicants and UK applicants who have lived abroad

Successful applicants who have lived outside the UK, for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total), in the last 10 years, will be required to produce a 'Certificate of Good Character/Conduct' from each of those countries.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Geraldine Ward, Dean of Students, at [e-mail] . Or Viju Patel, Deputy Director of Student Wellbeing, at [e-mail]

Closing Date: 28th September 2026

Interview Date: 14th October 2026

Reference Number: REQ000863

Date advert placed: 14 September 2026

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document.

We offer a range of employee benefits including:

• generous annual leave
• flexible location opportunities within the UK
• discounted Sports Village memberships
• free Active Staff sessions
• personal and professional development
• family-friendly policies