At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding operations and influence practice across Birmingham's education sector.
- Company: Birmingham City Council, dedicated to safeguarding and community welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to improving outcomes for all children.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through impactful safeguarding leadership.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience in education or social care and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 54495 - 64811 £ per year.
Are you an experienced safeguarding leader ready to step into a high‑impact role at the heart of Birmingham’s front‑door safeguarding system? We are offering an exciting 12‑month Fixed Term Contract for a committed professional to join our Education Safeguarding Service as a Principal Officer Safeguarding (CASS/MASH). This is a unique opportunity to influence safeguarding practice across the city, lead critical operational workstreams, and shape how education partners contribute to keeping children safe.
About the Role
As Principal Officer Safeguarding, you will lead the front‑door operations workstream, covering CASS, MASH and EMPOWER U. You will ensure that Birmingham City Council’s statutory duties in relation to Education Safeguarding are delivered effectively, consistently and with professional rigour. You will act as a key safeguarding partner, representing Education Safeguarding at strategic leadership meetings, contributing to multi‑agency decision‑making, and ensuring that information sharing between partners is robust, timely and effective. This role is central to improving safeguarding outcomes for children and young people across Birmingham.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading Education Safeguarding’s operational response within CASS/MASH and EMPOWER U
- Ensuring strong, compliant and effective information‑sharing systems across safeguarding partners
- Developing policy, guidance and procedures to strengthen safeguarding practice in schools and settings
- Reviewing and interrogating safeguarding data, providing high‑quality reports to senior leaders
- Leading thematic audits and producing reports for multi‑agency partners
- Contributing to the annual Section 175 audit tool
- Attending SUDIC/JAR meetings and ensuring follow‑up actions are completed
- Representing Education Safeguarding at strategic meetings, including the Child Death Overview Panel
- Coordinating Education Safeguarding’s response to critical or high‑profile incidents
- Overseeing escalated complaints or concerns raised by senior partners
- Providing leadership, supervision and support to Senior Education Safeguarding Officers and the CASS Education Safeguarding Coordinator
About You
We are looking for a safeguarding professional with:
- Substantial leadership and management experience in education or social care
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy and practice
- Experience supervising staff and achieving measurable service outcomes
- Excellent communication, influencing and interpersonal skills
- Confidence working in fast‑paced, high‑risk environments
- Up‑to‑date DSL and single/multi‑agency child protection training
You will be calm under pressure, able to manage complex and sensitive situations, and confident representing Education Safeguarding at a senior level. If you are passionate about safeguarding, committed to improving outcomes for children, and ready to take on a challenging and rewarding leadership role, we would love to hear from you.
Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Principal Officer Safeguarding - CASS/MASH in Birmingham employer: Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for safeguarding professionals to make a significant impact on the lives of children and young people in Birmingham. With a strong commitment to employee development, a supportive work culture, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, we provide our staff with the tools and resources needed to thrive in their roles. Join us in a rewarding environment where your expertise will shape safeguarding practices and contribute to the well-being of our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Officer Safeguarding - CASS/MASH in Birmingham
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Birmingham City Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Birmingham City Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Birmingham City Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Birmingham City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Officer Safeguarding - CASS/MASH in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Birmingham City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Birmingham City Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
