Army - Cadet Safeguarding Caseworker

The Army Cadets is a uniformed youth organisation with 68,000 young members and 11,000 dedicated adult volunteers. These volunteers contribute their time and effort to support two branches: the community-based Army Cadet Force (ACF) and the school-based Army Section of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). The Army Cadets offers a rewarding, challenging, and thrilling experience that prepares children and young people for long-term success across society.

The Ministry of Defence oversees the Army Cadet Force through Regional Command Cadets Branch in Aldershot. The Army Cadet Safeguarding Hub is tasked with fulfilling the Army's safeguarding obligations to cadets by assessing and deciding on reports of safeguarding concerns. They are also responsible for creating and distributing the necessary safeguarding policies, procedures, and training for the organisation. Their aim is to foster a positive safeguarding culture within the organisations, always prioritising the wellbeing of children.

The role of the Safeguarding Case Worker is vital in implementing the Cadet Branch Safeguarding agenda. They play a key part in promptly assessing safeguarding allegations, providing support during briefings, and collaborating with various professional stakeholders in government and the charity sector. This role presents an excellent developmental opportunity for individuals with backgrounds in Social Work, Youth Work, Education, or Police who have prior experience in safeguarding.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The team of Safeguarding Caseworkers based in Aldershot, led by Senior Caseworker Managers, assess and decide on all safeguarding allegations and concerns within the Army Cadets. This necessitates that Safeguarding Case Workers are appropriately qualified and experienced professionals in safeguarding, capable of conducting child safeguarding investigations and adept at collaborating with multiple agencies.

Case Workers collaborate closely with various individuals, including children, families, volunteers, and staff within the Army Cadets, as well as representatives from other organisations such as Social Services and the Police. They offer safeguarding guidance and assistance to others, manage a caseload of safeguarding cases, conduct inquiries, and make decisions centred around the welfare of the child. When necessary, they refer cases to the Disclosure and Barring Service or similar bodies.

This role involves handling cases across a broad geographical area, which requires occasional travel anywhere in the UK and overseas. Although the role primarily operates during regular working hours from Monday to Friday, some flexibility is required to engage with young people and volunteers outside of their school and work commitments. Additionally, Case Workers may need to participate in an out-of-hours duty schedule which if activated would result in additional allowances being payable.

A Safeguarding Caseworker is required to deliver against the following areas:

• Work in a child centred way by promoting the wellbeing and safeguarding of children above other factors
• Act as a point of contact for safeguarding disclosures, concerns and referrals, providing expert advice and guidance and sharing information with other agencies as necessary
• Attend multi-agency and internal meetings virtually and/or in-person. Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and other partners
• Undertake enquiries and determine the suitability of individuals to remain in the Army Cadets
• Manage safeguarding cases in line with national legislation, guidance and Army Cadet Regulations and Safeguarding Policy
• Utilise sound professional judgement to make decisions on safeguarding cases
• Complete all necessary documentation, ensuring full and accurate records are maintained
• Submit appropriate referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service, Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scotland, or Access Northern Ireland
• Participate meaningfully in regular professional supervision
• Seek and engage with opportunities for continuous professional development
• Understand and advise on the relevant national safeguarding statutory guidance such as Working Together, data protection legislation and regulations, especially the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation, in relation to safeguarding casework

The ideal candidate will have experience of front-line safeguarding interventions and/or risk assessment of perpetrators of abuse. They will also ideally have but are not limited to a Diploma, Degree in a relevant subject area, or experience as a Social Worker, Police Officer, Teacher, Youth Worker, Youth Offending Officer or Probation Officer. We welcome anyone with significant previous experience in a lead safeguarding role within a school or another youth organisation, or someone with sound knowledge of safeguarding interventions.

Essential:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, able to communicate with a cross spectrum of stakeholders including children, adults and other professionals, both inside and outside of Defence
• IT literate with experience using Microsoft Office 365 products
• Able to utilise sound professional judgement to make decisions on safeguarding cases
• Empathetic nature

Desirable:

• Qualifications or experience in safeguarding professions such as social work, education, police or youth work

Behaviours we will assess you against during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Alongside your salary of £36,530, the Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other Benefits For Army Civil Servants Include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Highly competitive pension scheme
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities

We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, recognising the benefits of face-to-face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week).

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.