Senior Safeguarding Coordinator

University of Greater Manchester; Farnworth; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Greater Manchester invites a Senior Safeguarding Coordinator to lead safeguarding culture across the university community. You will shape policy, coordinate complex cases and ensure compliant, compassionate processes that protect students.

Reporting to the Directorate of Student Services & Experience, the role requires expert safeguarding knowledge, stakeholder collaboration, and the ability to progress improvements while supporting mental health and wellbeing initiatives.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience with safeguarding, mental health or welfare qualifications.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and Prevent duties in HE/FE settings.
• Experience managing complex safeguarding or misconduct cases.
• Ability to support students with mental health difficulties, including risk assessment and crisis management.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and inform service planning.
• High emotional resilience and professionalism; maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Act as Deputy Safeguarding Officer and Deputy Prevent Coordinator, providing specialist advice and supporting audits.
• Lead safeguarding, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct case coordination with timely and compliant responses.
• Serve as Dignity at Study Policy Coordinator ensuring policies meet OfS Condition E6 and stay current.
• Support students reporting incidents to Police, University or external agencies; liaise throughout the process.
• Maintain relationships with NHS services, voluntary organisations and local authorities for referrals.
• Contribute to staff training and safeguarding/Prevent records; participate in risk MDT meetings.
• Produce engagement and trend reports for senior colleagues and service improvement.
• Collaborate across Student Services, academic schools, Students’ Union and external agencies.

Skills

Safeguarding expertise

Policy interpretation

Stakeholder liaison

Risk assessment

Communication

Data analysis

Emotional resilience

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Senior Safeguarding Coordinator

Play a leading role in creating a safe, inclusive and supportive university community

Are you an experienced safeguarding professional who thrives in fast‑paced, student‑centred environments? We are seeking a committed and proactiveSenior Safeguarding Coordinatorto help shape and strengthen our safeguarding culture across the University of Greater Manchester.

This is a key role within theDirectorate of Student Services & Experience, offering the opportunity to lead safeguarding practice, support complex casework, and ensure students are protected through clear, robust and compassionate processes.

About the Role

As Senior Safeguarding Coordinator, you will:

• Act as Deputy Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and Deputy Prevent Coordinator, offering specialist advice, supporting audits and contributing to reporting requirements.
• Lead on the coordination of safeguarding, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct cases, ensuring timely, sensitive and compliant responses.
• Serve as the University’s Dignity at Study Policy Coordinator, ensuring policies and procedures meet OfS Condition E6 and remain accessible, current and effective.
• Support students wishing to report incidents to the Police, University or external agencies, acting as a key liaison throughout the process.
• Maintain strong working relationships with NHS services, voluntary organisations and local authorities to support safe and appropriate referrals.
• Contribute to staff training, awareness‑raising initiatives and the maintenance of safeguarding and Prevent training records.
• Attend weekly Risk MDT meetings, offering expert safeguarding input into complex case discussions.
• Produce engagement and trend reports to inform senior colleagues and support continuous improvement.
• Work collaboratively across Student Services, academic schools, the Students’ Union and external agencies to ensure consistent safeguarding practice.
• Deputise for the Student Mental Health & Wellbeing Manager and represent Student Services at internal and external events when required.

About You

You will bring:

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience, alongside safeguarding, mental health or welfare‑related qualifications.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, Prevent duties and best practice in HE/FE settings.
• Experience managing complex safeguarding, bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct cases.
• Confidence supporting students experiencing mental health difficulties, including risk assessment and crisis management.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and contribute to service planning.
• High levels of emotional resilience, professionalism and the ability to work calmly under pressure.
• A commitment to confidentiality, data protection and maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• A proactive, improvement‑focused approach to service development.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to student safety, wellbeing and experience. You will join a supportive team committed to high‑quality safeguarding practice, continuous improvement and sector‑leading standards.

The role requires flexibility, including occasional travel and the ability to respond to urgent safeguarding matters. Appointment is subject to enhanced DBS clearance.

Successful applicants will be required to prove their right to work in the UK prior to the commencement of their employment.

Whilst the University of Greater Manchester is a licensed sponsor, under UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) not all roles are eligible for visa sponsorship.

This position may not meet the criteria for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

Eligibility will be assessed in line with the Home Office requirements at the time of making the offer.

For further information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job