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- Tasks: Lead safeguarding and vetting functions, ensuring safety for young people across the UK.
- Company: Join the Scouts, an award-winning charity dedicated to empowering young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28-32 days holiday, and a double matching pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safeguarding culture while working with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Expertise in safeguarding, strategic thinking, and experience influencing senior stakeholders required.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; applications close on 8th June 2025.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 102000 £ per year.
Location: Gilwell Park, Chingford, London (with hybrid working)
Salary: £85,000 per Annum - Band I
Term: Permanent
Working Hours: 35 hours per week
At the Scouts, everything we do is about helping young people gain skills for life. But nothing is more important to us than their safety and wellbeing. We’re looking for a dedicated and strategic safeguarding leader to join us at a pivotal moment in our journey of transformation.
The Role
As the UK Head of Safeguarding, you’ll lead our safeguarding and vetting functions across the UK, covering both employed staff and the thousands of volunteers who deliver life-changing experiences to nearly half a million young people. Your mission? To ensure that safeguarding is the golden thread running through everything we do. This is more than a leadership role—it’s an opportunity to drive real cultural change across the movement. You’ll influence national strategy, ensure the delivery of high-quality training and advice, and develop a strong quality assurance framework that identifies areas for improvement and delivers lasting change. You’ll report to and work closely with the Scouts’ Board of Trustees and Safeguarding Committee, providing clear, expert advice and reporting to support their governance and oversight responsibilities.
What You’ll Bring
- Deep subject matter expertise in safeguarding and vetting, ideally in a large and complex organisation
- Experience influencing senior stakeholders and driving organisational culture change
- Strategic thinking with the ability to deliver practical, operational solutions
- A collaborative leadership style, with a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development
Why Join Us?
You’ll be leading a large and committed team of over 30 safeguarding professionals and working alongside a passionate network of colleagues and volunteers. We’ve already made significant improvements in the way we work—but we’re not stopping there. Now is a perfect time to join us and shape the next phase of our safeguarding journey.
In return we offer:
- We are an award-winning Charity of the Year (Charity Times Awards 2022) with over 400 employees across multiple locations across the country.
- Onsite free accommodation for staff
- 28 days holiday and going up to 32 days after 2 years’ service plus additional days at Christmas
- Flexible working hours
- Work in a way that suits you, your role and your department
- Double matching pension up to 10% of gross salary
- Family Friendly employer with generous family leave
- Learning and Development/training opportunities via our internal learning hub
For a full list of our benefits click here.
Closing date for applications: 23:59pm Sunday 8th June 2025
Interviews will be held on week commencing Monday 16th June 2025 at Gilwell Park.
The Scouts is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. We offer flexible working arrangements to support diverse needs and lifestyles, ensuring that our teams can thrive both professionally and personally. We welcome and encourage applicants from all walks of life, believing that varied perspectives strengthen our innovation and community. Your unique experiences and ideas are essential to our success, and we look forward to hearing from all voices.
UK Head of Safeguarding employer: Scouts
Contact Detail:
Scouts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Head of Safeguarding
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Scouts' current safeguarding policies and practices. Understanding their existing framework will not only help you speak confidently about your ideas but also demonstrate your commitment to their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former safeguarding professionals within the Scouts or similar organisations. Engaging in conversations can provide valuable insights into the culture and expectations of the role, which can be beneficial during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've influenced organisational culture change in previous roles. Highlighting your strategic thinking and practical solutions will resonate well with the leadership aspect of this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your collaborative leadership style by preparing to discuss how you’ve successfully led teams in the past. Emphasising your commitment to personal and professional development will align with the Scouts' values and mission.
We think you need these skills to ace UK Head of Safeguarding
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and expectations of the UK Head of Safeguarding position. Highlight key skills and experiences that align with the role.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your safeguarding expertise, leadership experience, and strategic thinking. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to influence stakeholders and drive cultural change.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for safeguarding and your commitment to continuous improvement. Address how your background aligns with the Scouts' mission and values, and express your enthusiasm for the role.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. Ensure that your writing is clear and professional, as this reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scouts
✨Showcase Your Safeguarding Expertise
Make sure to highlight your deep knowledge in safeguarding and vetting during the interview. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to handle complex safeguarding issues effectively.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you have influenced organisational culture change in previous roles. Think of practical solutions you've implemented and how they align with the strategic goals of the organisation you're interviewing for.
✨Engage with Emotional Intelligence
Since this role requires a collaborative leadership style, be prepared to discuss how you’ve used emotional intelligence to lead teams or manage stakeholders. Share instances where your interpersonal skills made a significant impact.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Have thoughtful questions ready for your interviewers about their current safeguarding initiatives and future plans. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values.
