At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts and support vulnerable students in a dynamic college environment.
- Company: Join Barnet and Southgate College, a forward-thinking institution dedicated to community empowerment.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday allowance, season ticket loans, gym access, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Term-time role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification and recent Designated Safeguarding Officer training required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced safeguarding professional who wants to make a real difference for the most vulnerable young people in your community? Do you want to work alongside a committed, values-driven team who go above and beyond for students in often difficult circumstances and take genuine pride in seeing them achieve against the odds? If so, we would love to hear from you.
As our Designated Safeguarding Officer, you will act as a key source of safeguarding expertise and advocacy across the College, working closely with the Designated Safeguarding and Prevent Lead, Student Services and wider teams to protect and promote the welfare of vulnerable students. You will lead on referrals and casework, develop and deliver staff training, build effective partnerships with external agencies and lead on a specialist safeguarding area, bringing both knowledge and leadership to a function that sits at the heart of college life. This is a term-time post (38 weeks per year), based at our Borehamwood Campus with travel to other College sites as required.
About Barnet and Southgate College: We change lives, empower individuals and connect communities. We are an ambitious, forward-thinking further education college in North London, proud to serve diverse communities across Barnet, Southgate and beyond. Our 2030 Vision is bold: to be a leading provider of learning and skills development, fostering exceptional educational experiences, driven by innovation, collaboration and excellence.
Our safeguarding and Student Services team is made up of people who are genuinely passionate about protecting and supporting the most vulnerable learners. Partnership working is central to everything they do, and the team has built strong, trusted relationships with a wide range of external agencies. You will be joining a group of professionals who take their responsibilities seriously, support each other without hesitation and find real meaning in the work they do.
Key Responsibilities
- Safeguarding expertise and advocacy: Act as a key source of safeguarding knowledge across the College, advocating for students identified as vulnerable or at risk and demonstrating sound understanding of procedures and the complex issues they face.
- Referrals and casework: Lead on referrals, action queries appropriately and in line with KCSIE, GDPR and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and lead on collaborative strategy meetings involving relevant professionals.
- Records and quality assurance: Maintain accurate, up-to-date safeguarding records that evidence how risks are identified and mitigated, supporting compliance, quality assurance and inspection readiness.
- Specialist area lead: Take ownership of a specialist safeguarding area such as CCE, CSE, VAWG, misogyny/misandry or online safety, developing expertise and sharing best practice across the College.
- Training and awareness: Lead on the planning and delivery of safeguarding training for staff and promote key safeguarding updates to staff and students across all campuses using College platforms.
- Partnership working: Develop and sustain effective relationships with internal teams and external agencies including social care, the police, health services and other statutory partners to ensure joined-up, effective safeguarding responses.
- Statutory compliance: Support the Designated Safeguarding and Prevent Lead to ensure Governors, Senior Management and staff fulfil their statutory obligations under relevant legislation and guidance.
Skills, Knowledge and ExpertiseWhat You'll BringEssential
- A relevant Level 3 qualification
- English and Maths at Grade 5-9 or equivalent
- Designated Safeguarding Officer training completed within the last 3 years
- Proven experience and understanding of child protection procedures, referral processes and legislation
- Proven experience of adult safeguarding and referral processes
- Proven experience of multi-agency working
- Experience of supporting and working with vulnerable students in mainstream and more complex needs settings (e.g. EHCP, LAC, YOT, CP, CiN)
- Experience of Serious Safeguarding Reviews
- Excellent report writing and record keeping skills with high attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted relationships with young people, families, staff and external professionals
- Ability to negotiate, manage conflict and work effectively under pressure
- High level of integrity, confidentiality and understanding of GDPR and information-sharing protocols
- IT literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Office and safeguarding-related systems
- Willingness to travel and work across all main College campuses
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding
Even Better If You Have...
- A higher-level qualification in safeguarding, social work, education or a related field
- Experience delivering safeguarding training to staff
- Experience working in a further education or post-16 setting
- Specialist knowledge in areas such as CCE, CSE, VAWG, online safety or Prevent
Potential Interview Dates
Week commencing 22nd June 2026.
Benefits
The College offers employees a generous holiday allowance of 31 days annual leave for our support staff plus bank holidays. Pro Rata'd for part time employees. We also offer an attractive package of optional benefits for employees to take advantage of.
- Annual Season Ticket Loans: We offer permanent or contract staff with a minimum of a 12 month contract the option to purchase an annual season ticket loan without the big financial hit in one go!
- Cycle to Work Scheme: The scheme is an incentive for staff, offering tax free bikes through bike shops.
- Employee Support Helpline: The Employee Assistance Helpline can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Eye Tests for DSE Users: The College will refund the cost of regular eye tests for staff that use Display Screen Equipment regularly.
- Flu vouchers: We offer established staff a free flu vaccination voucher.
- Gym Facilities: Our Sports Centre at Southgate Campus is available for all staff.
- Hair Salon Services and Beauty Treatments: A range of competitively-priced hairdressing services are accessible at our Colindale Campus.
- High Street Discounts: Discount for teachers is a shopping benefits website for staff.
Designated Safeguarding Officer (Term Time Only) in Borehamwood employer: Barnet and Southgate College
Barnet and Southgate College is an excellent employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a supportive environment where you can thrive. As a Business Administration Apprentice, you'll benefit from dedicated mentoring, a recognised qualification, and a generous holiday allowance, all while working in a diverse and inclusive setting. With additional perks like a Cycle to Work scheme and access to gym facilities, this role provides a meaningful start to your career in business administration.
Contact Details:
Barnet and Southgate College Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Designated Safeguarding Officer (Term Time Only) in Borehamwood
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the safeguarding field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the college's values and recent initiatives in safeguarding. This will help you showcase how your experience aligns with their mission and demonstrate your genuine interest in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around safeguarding scenarios. We can’t stress enough how important it is to articulate your thought process and decision-making skills in these situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team at Barnet and Southgate College.
We think you need these skills to ace Designated Safeguarding Officer (Term Time Only) in Borehamwood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for safeguarding shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference for vulnerable young people. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you in this field.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Designated Safeguarding Officer. Highlight relevant qualifications and experiences that align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We love seeing how you fit into our values-driven team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your skills and experiences at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our community at Barnet and Southgate College!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barnet and Southgate College
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest safeguarding policies and procedures, especially KCSIE and GDPR. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are genuinely committed to protecting vulnerable students.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully handled safeguarding cases or worked with external agencies. This will help demonstrate your practical experience and ability to navigate complex situations effectively.
✨Build Rapport with the Interviewers
Remember, this role is all about relationships. Use your interpersonal skills during the interview to connect with the panel. Show them that you can build trust and communicate effectively with both students and professionals alike.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the college's approach to safeguarding and how they collaborate with external partners. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand their values and priorities better.
