At a Glance
- Tasks: Help safeguard vulnerable children outside traditional schools and strengthen oversight.
- Company: East Sussex County Council, dedicated to supporting vulnerable youth.
- Benefits: Diverse benefits, vocational training, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Shape safeguarding practices in a growing service with excellent career prospects.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of safeguarding practices and experience in child protection.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 36840 £ per year.
Do you want to help safeguard vulnerable children and young people who are currently outside of a traditional school setting? If you do, this is an opportunity to play a key role in strengthening safeguarding oversight within East Sussex County Council’s Interim Provision Service.
The Interim Provision Service coordinates education and support for children and young people who do not currently have an appropriate school placement. Provision is delivered through a distributed model, including IPS centres, tutors and commissioned alternative providers.
As Safeguarding Officer, you will provide dedicated operational safeguarding oversight across the service. You will help ensure safeguarding information is gathered, reviewed, recorded and acted upon consistently, and that safeguarding risk is monitored and escalated appropriately.
You will work closely with IPS managers, schools, providers, Brokerage, Social Care, Early Help, health professionals and other partner services. The role will include oversight of vulnerable pupil monitoring, welfare checks, attendance as a safeguarding indicator, provider safeguarding concerns, training compliance, and safeguarding audit activity.
This is a newly created post, developed in response to the significant growth of the service and the increasing safeguarding responsibilities associated with children and young people who are not currently accessing education through a mainstream school placement.
We are looking for candidates who:
- Have knowledge of safeguarding and child protection practice within education or children’s services
- Have experience of safeguarding systems, recording, escalation and monitoring
- Understand safeguarding responsibilities in alternative provision or non-school contexts
- Can analyse safeguarding information and identify patterns, risks and concerns
- Communicate clearly and confidently with professionals, providers and partner agencies
To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please explain how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification, drawing on relevant work experience, education, training, volunteering or personal interests.
You should give particular attention to your experience of safeguarding practice, multi-agency working, working with vulnerable children and young people, and using systems or processes to monitor, record and escalate concerns.
Interviews will take place in person at County Hall in Lewes. Interviews are expected to take place on 25 June 2026. If you are unavailable on this date, please let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date to interview you.
This is a rare opportunity to shape and strengthen safeguarding practice in a growing service supporting some of the county’s most vulnerable children and young people. You will help build systems, processes and assurance arrangements that make a direct difference to children’s safety, wellbeing and access to education.
We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.
Vocational training through apprenticeships is available to our staff, ranging from entry level to degree level qualifications. You can talk to the hiring manager and the apprenticeship team about what qualifications would be relevant to you and this job role, and whether apprenticeship training can be supported.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact: Hamish Gale (Hamish.Gale@eastsussex.gov.uk)
For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex!
Safeguarding Officer – Interim Provision Service in Lewes employer: East Sussex County Council
East Sussex County Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to safeguarding vulnerable children and young people outside of traditional school settings. With a strong focus on employee growth through vocational training and apprenticeships, we foster a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a diverse range of benefits and the opportunity to shape safeguarding practices in a growing service.
Contact Details:
East Sussex County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safeguarding Officer – Interim Provision Service in Lewes
✨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 East Sussex County Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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We think you need these skills to ace Safeguarding Officer – Interim Provision Service in Lewes
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 East Sussex County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to East Sussex County 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 East Sussex County 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.
