At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding initiatives and oversee complex safeguarding matters across Cardiff.
- Company: Cardiff Council, dedicated to high-quality safeguarding services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking team committed to innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape safeguarding practices and influence positive outcomes for children and vulnerable adults.
- Qualifications: Extensive safeguarding experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced safeguarding professional to join Cardiff Council's Safeguarding and Reviewing Hub as the Service Manager - Designated Officer for Safeguarding. The Safeguarding and Reviewing Hub brings together a range of specialist safeguarding and reviewing functions that support children, adults at risk and the wider safeguarding system across Cardiff. The service plays a key role in promoting high-quality safeguarding practice, providing professional challenge, and ensuring concerns are managed fairly, proportionately and effectively across agencies.
This is an important leadership role within a well-established service that works at the centre of safeguarding partnerships across Children's Services, Adult Services, Education, Health, Police and other key agencies.
As Cardiff Council's Designated Officer for Safeguarding, you will lead the Practitioner Concerns Team and provide strategic oversight of safeguarding allegations and concerns relating to practitioners and people in positions of trust across the city. You will provide leadership and professional oversight for complex and sensitive safeguarding matters, working closely with employers, schools, partner organisations and safeguarding agencies to ensure risks are appropriately assessed and managed. You will chair and oversee professional strategy meetings, provide expert safeguarding advice and consultation, and support robust and defensible decision-making in challenging circumstances.
The role also has management responsibility for the Education Safeguarding Team, which provides advice, support and challenge to schools and education settings across Cardiff. Working alongside the team, you will help strengthen safeguarding arrangements within education, support partnership working, and promote effective responses to safeguarding concerns.
Reporting to the Operational Manager, who also fulfils the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) function, you will play a key role in shaping safeguarding practice, contributing to service development, quality assurance and wider corporate safeguarding priorities across the Council.
What We Are Looking For From You
- We are looking for an experienced and credible safeguarding leader with substantial social work experience and a strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, policy and practice.
- You will bring extensive experience of working within safeguarding services and managing complex safeguarding practice.
- Strong knowledge of Section 5 of the Wales Safeguarding Procedures and the management of allegations and concerns relating to practitioners and those in positions of trust.
- Experience of chairing complex multi-agency meetings and working effectively with a range of statutory and partner organisations.
- The ability to provide professional challenge, advice and consultation to senior managers, employers and safeguarding partners.
- A commitment to partnership working, service improvement and achieving the best outcomes for children and adults at risk.
- Proven leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate, develop and support staff within complex and sensitive safeguarding services.
- Experience of working alongside education safeguarding arrangements, schools or wider safeguarding partnerships would be beneficial.
Cardiff is committed to delivering high quality safeguarding services and promoting a strengths-based approach to practice. We are a forward-thinking local authority that values innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement. This is a unique opportunity to lead a specialist safeguarding function, influence practice across agencies, support the development of safeguarding within education settings, and contribute to safeguarding arrangements across the capital city of Wales.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Cardiff Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We expect all employees to share this commitment.
This post has a requirement for registration with Social Care Wales. Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well-being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.
Service Manager - Designated Officer for Safeguarding in Cardiff employer: Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council
Cardiff Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and community engagement. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth and development within the public sector, alongside a commitment to work-life balance and meaningful contributions to local development projects. Working in Cardiff not only provides a vibrant city atmosphere but also allows you to make a tangible impact on the community.
Contact Details:
Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Designated Officer for Safeguarding in Cardiff
✨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 Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff 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 Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff 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 Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff 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 Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff 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 Service Manager - Designated Officer for Safeguarding in Cardiff
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 Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff 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 Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff 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.
