Senior Safeguarding Officer

New College Swindon; Swindon; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

New College Swindon is seeking an experienced safeguarding professional to lead safeguarding investigations, liaise with students, staff and external agencies, and ensure welfare support is provided promptly.

This term-time-only role is 39 weeks per year, paid for 44.5 weeks. Salary is £29,210 per annum (FTE £34,134). DBS checks and pre-employment checks are required.

Qualifications

• A Level 3 safeguarding qualification is desirable, or equivalent experience.
• Level 2 qualifications in English, Maths and ICT, or a willingness to achieve any outstanding qualifications within an agreed timeframe.
• Experience working in a safeguarding or child protection role.
• At least three years' experience in a related field, such as youth work, social services, counselling or youth justice.
• Significant experience supporting young people and/or vulnerable adults, including those experiencing social, emotional or mental health difficulties and challenging behaviour.
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, best practice and referral processes involving external agencies.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and empathetically with people of different ages and backgrounds.
• The ability to manage sensitive and confidential information, meet tight deadlines and remain effective under pressure.
• Good organisational, administrative and record-keeping skills, with working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ProMonitor.
• A flexible, self-motivated approach and the ability to work effectively with colleagues and external partners across College sites.

Responsibilities

• Manage safeguarding investigations, gathering information, taking statements and recording outcomes accurately.
• Support the triage of safeguarding concerns, contributing to decisions on appropriate actions and escalation.
• Liaise with students, staff, families and external agencies, including Contact Swindon Children and Families, where required.
• Produce clear, detailed investigation reports and ensure relevant stakeholders receive appropriate updates.
• Ensure students involved in safeguarding investigations receive suitable welfare support and follow-up checks.
• Represent Safeguarding at Mental Health Support Plan meetings and contribute to agreed actions.
• Provide guidance, advice and training to colleagues to promote effective safeguarding practice.
• Support safeguarding induction for new staff alongside the Designated and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
• Help maintain the effective operation of the Student Support Hub, ensuring enquiries and referrals are handled appropriately.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records and support effective information sharing and service improvement.

Skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Judgement

Communication skills

Resilience under pressure

Record-keeping

Education

Level 3 safeguarding qualification

Level 2 English/Maths/ICT qualifications

Tools

Microsoft Office

ProMonitor

Job description

Are you an experienced safeguarding professional with the knowledge, judgement and resilience to manage complex safeguarding concerns and support the welfare of young people?

As Senior Safeguarding Officer at New College Swindon, you will play a key role in managing safeguarding investigations, ensuring concerns are handled sensitively, accurately and in a timely manner. Working closely with the Head of Safeguarding & Wellbeing, you will help ensure students receive appropriate support, concerns are escalated effectively and safeguarding practice remains robust.

This is a position requiring strong professional judgement, excellent communication skills and the ability to work calmly under pressure. You will liaise with students, colleagues and external agencies, maintain accurate records and contribute to the continuous improvement of safeguarding services across the College.

This is a term-time-only role, working 39 weeks per year, with annual leave non-bookable during term time. You will be paid for 44.5 weeks per year, despite working 39 weeks. The actual salary will be £29,210 per annum, based on a full-time equivalent (FTE) salary of £34,134.

What you'll do

• Manage safeguarding investigations, gathering information, taking statements and recording outcomes accurately.
• Support the triage of safeguarding concerns, contributing to decisions on appropriate actions and escalation.
• Liaise with students, staff, families and external agencies, including Contact Swindon Children and Families, where required.
• Produce clear, detailed investigation reports and ensure relevant stakeholders receive appropriate updates.
• Ensure students involved in safeguarding investigations receive suitable welfare support and follow-up checks.
• Represent Safeguarding at Mental Health Support Plan meetings and contribute to agreed actions.
• Provide guidance, advice and training to colleagues to promote effective safeguarding practice.
• Support safeguarding induction for new staff alongside the Designated and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
• Help maintain the effective operation of the Student Support Hub, ensuring enquiries and referrals are handled appropriately.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records and support effective information sharing and service improvement.

What we're looking for

• A Level 3 safeguarding qualification is desirable, or equivalent experience
• Level 2 qualifications in English, Maths and ICT, or a willingness to achieve any outstanding qualifications within an agreed timeframe.
• Experience working in a safeguarding or child protection role.
• At least three years' experience in a related field, such as youth work, social services, counselling or youth justice.
• Significant experience supporting young people and/or vulnerable adults, including those experiencing social, emotional or mental health difficulties and challenging behaviour.
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, best practice and referral processes involving external agencies.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and empathetically with people of different ages and backgrounds.
• The ability to manage sensitive and confidential information, meet tight deadlines and remain effective under pressure.
• Good organisational, administrative and record-keeping skills, with working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ProMonitor.
• A flexible, self-motivated approach and the ability to work effectively with colleagues and external partners across College sites.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of our community.

You must have the right to work in the UK. Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

All successful applicants will be required to complete appropriate pre-employment and DBS checks.