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 31 days of annual leave, season ticket loans, gym access, and more!
- Other info: Flexible part-time role during term time with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification and recent safeguarding training required.
The predicted salary is between 33008 - 34829 £ 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.
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 Expertise
Essential
- 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
Barnet and Southgate College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), online searches of publicly available information may be undertaken on shortlisted candidates as part of our safer recruitment process.
Benefits
- Generous holiday allowance of 31 days annual leave for our support staff plus bank holidays. Pro Rata'd for part time employees.
- Annual Season Ticket Loans
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee Support Helpline
- Eye Tests for DSE Users
- Flu vouchers
- Gym Facilities
- Hair Salon Services and Beauty Treatments
- High Street Discounts
Designated Safeguarding Officer (Term Time Only) employer: Barnet and Southgate College
Barnet and Southgate College is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a supportive and inclusive environment for all. As a Business Administration Apprentice, you will benefit from structured training, dedicated mentoring, and a generous holiday allowance, alongside unique perks such as a Cycle to Work scheme and access to gym facilities. Join us to kickstart your career in a dynamic educational setting where your contributions are valued and your professional journey is nurtured.
Contact Details:
Barnet and Southgate College Recruitment Team
