Safeguarding Lead - Volunteer in Portsmouth

Safeguarding Lead - Volunteer in Portsmouth

Portsmouth Volunteer Home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts, develop policies, and ensure community safety for those affected by endometriosis.
  • Company: ESC, a small charity dedicated to supporting individuals with endometriosis.
  • Benefits: Flexible remote role, minimal time commitment, and the chance to make a real difference.
  • Other info: Join a passionate team and help empower individuals during their toughest moments.
  • Why this job: Create a lasting safety net for a vulnerable community and shape vital safeguarding practices.
  • Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding, strong communication skills, and a genuine commitment to community care.

About the Role

ESC supports people living with endometriosis across the South Coast. As our Safeguarding Lead, you'll protect our community, shape our policies, and ensure everyone who turns to us does so safely. This is a vital governance role.

What Difference Will You Make?

Endometriosis is a condition that can leave people feeling vulnerable, dismissed, and alone. Many who turn to ESC do so at some of the hardest moments of their lives, still searching for answers, managing chronic pain, or navigating a healthcare system that has let them down. For our community to feel truly safe with us, safeguarding must be woven into everything we do. ESC currently has no dedicated Safeguarding Lead, so this role will build the safeguarding function from the ground up. The impact will be felt across the whole organisation, providing clear guidance and training for volunteers, assurance for trustees, and genuine safety for service users. A strong safeguarding foundation also satisfies funders’ baseline requirements, protecting ESC’s long‑term ability to serve its community. This is a rare opportunity to create a lasting safety net for a small charity that does vital work.

What Are We Looking For?

The most important quality is taking safeguarding seriously—not as a compliance exercise but as a genuine expression of care for our community.

  • Essential Skills and Experience
  • A solid grounding in safeguarding practice from a relevant sector (social work, education, healthcare, voluntary, etc.).
  • A strong working knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, confident in applying them in a charity or community context.
  • Ability to design clear, accessible written and verbal guidance for volunteers.
  • Comfort handling sensitive information with discretion and conducting difficult conversations when a concern arises.
  • Self‑direction in a small organisation, taking ownership of the safeguarding function, working independently, and knowing when to elevate issues to the Chair or trustees.
  • A genuine commitment to ESC’s values, especially equality, diversity, and inclusion, is essential.
  • Desirable but Not Essential
  • Formal safeguarding qualification (e.g., Level 3 or designated safeguarding lead training).
  • Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, familiarity with online or community settings, or prior volunteering with a small charity.
  • Lived experience of endometriosis may give deeper understanding of the community.

What Will You Be Doing?

As a governance‑level role reporting to the Chair and trustees, your key priorities will be:

  • Developing and maintaining ESC’s safeguarding policies, ensuring they reflect current legislation and best practice.
  • Acting as the first point of contact for any safeguarding concerns, managing incidents sensitively and in line with our policies.
  • Delivering safeguarding training and inductions for volunteers.
  • Embedding safeguarding across activities, from community meetings to events to digital spaces.
  • Reporting to the trustees on safeguarding matters and advising on risk.

Day‑to‑day, the role is light‑touch (0‑5 hours a month), with occasional extra time for policy reviews, training, or responding to concerns. It is a flexible, remote role that fits around existing commitments. You will work closely with our Chair & Legal and Compliance Trustee alongside a small, dedicated volunteer team.

Location: Remote.

Safeguarding Lead - Volunteer in Portsmouth employer: Endometriosis South Coast

ESC is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by endometriosis. As our Safeguarding Lead, you will play a crucial role in shaping our safeguarding policies and ensuring a safe environment for our community, all while enjoying the flexibility of a remote role that accommodates your existing commitments. We foster a supportive work culture that values equality, diversity, and inclusion, providing opportunities for personal growth and the chance to make a lasting difference in a small charity that truly cares.
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Contact Detail:

Endometriosis South Coast Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Safeguarding Lead - Volunteer in Portsmouth

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the safeguarding and charity sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with others on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that role!

✨Tip Number 2

Show your passion for safeguarding! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your thoughts on current safeguarding practices and how they can be improved. This will show them you're not just ticking boxes but genuinely care about the community.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky conversations! Brush up on how to handle sensitive topics and practice your responses. Being able to navigate difficult discussions with ease will set you apart as a strong candidate for the Safeguarding Lead role.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We want to see your application and hear your story. It’s the best way to ensure we get all your details and understand why you’re the perfect fit for this vital role at ESC.

We think you need these skills to ace Safeguarding Lead - Volunteer in Portsmouth

Safeguarding Practice
Knowledge of Safeguarding Legislation
Policy Development
Written and Verbal Communication
Discretion in Handling Sensitive Information
Incident Management
Training Delivery
Self-Direction
Ownership of Safeguarding Function
Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Experience in a Relevant Sector (Social Work, Education, Healthcare, Voluntary)
Designated Safeguarding Lead Experience
Understanding of Community Needs

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Safeguarding: When writing your application, let us see your genuine commitment to safeguarding. Share experiences that highlight your understanding of the importance of creating a safe environment for our community. We want to know why this role matters to you!

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your knowledge of safeguarding legislation and how you've applied it in previous roles. This helps us see how you fit into our mission.

Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Use straightforward language and structure your application well. Break down your experiences and skills into easy-to-read sections. This makes it easier for us to understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to ESC.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at ESC!

How to prepare for a job interview at Endometriosis South Coast

✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your safeguarding knowledge before the interview. Understand the key legislation and best practices relevant to the role, as well as how they apply in a charity context. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can also translate it into real-world applications.

✨Show Your Passion for the Cause

This role is all about making a difference for those affected by endometriosis. Be prepared to share why you care about this cause and how your personal experiences or values align with ESC’s mission. Authenticity goes a long way in interviews!

✨Prepare for Sensitive Conversations

Since you'll be handling sensitive information and difficult conversations, think about how you would approach these situations. Have examples ready that demonstrate your ability to manage such discussions with empathy and discretion. This will highlight your suitability for the role.

✨Demonstrate Your Independence

As a Safeguarding Lead, you’ll need to take ownership of the safeguarding function. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully worked independently in previous roles, made decisions, and when you felt it was necessary to escalate issues. This shows you can thrive in a small organisation.

Safeguarding Lead - Volunteer in Portsmouth
Endometriosis South Coast
Location: Portsmouth

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