At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts and support vulnerable students in a dynamic college environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking college dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days annual leave, gym access, and exclusive staff discounts.
- Other info: Term time role with opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Level 3 safeguarding qualification and experience with vulnerable students 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.
We are an ambitious, forward-thinking further education college in North London, proud to serve diverse communities across Barnet, Southgate and beyond. Our 2030 Vision is bold: to be a leading provider of learning and skills development, fostering exceptional educational experiences, driven by innovation, collaboration and excellence.
Our safeguarding and Student Services team is made up of people who are genuinely passionate about protecting and supporting the most vulnerable learners. Partnership working is central to everything they do, and the team has built strong, trusted relationships with a wide range of external agencies. You will be joining a group of professionals who take their responsibilities seriously, support each other without hesitation and find real meaning in the work they do.
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.
- 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
- 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
- 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays for support staff, pro rata for part time employees
- Annual season ticket loan with salary sacrifice scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme - tax free bikes
- Employee Support Helpline - confidential assistance 24/7
- Eye tests for DSE users - cost refunded
- Flu vaccination voucher
- Gym facilities - free for staff Monday to Friday within term time
- Hair salon services and beauty treatments - staff offers at Colindale Campus
- High Street discounts - select shopping benefits for staff
Designated Safeguarding Officer (Term Time Only) employer: Job Search Place Limited
At Boreham Wood Football Academy, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable young people. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development within a passionate team. With generous benefits such as 31 days of annual leave, access to gym facilities, and a commitment to employee well-being, we ensure that our staff feel valued and empowered in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Designated Safeguarding Officer (Term Time Only)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and safeguarding sectors. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet people who might know about job openings. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the college and its values. Understand their approach to safeguarding and think of examples from your experience that align with their mission. This will show them you’re genuinely interested and a great fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll have access to all the latest job postings and updates directly from us.
We think you need these skills to ace Designated Safeguarding Officer (Term Time Only)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the Designated Safeguarding Officer role. We want to see how your background fits with our mission to support vulnerable students.
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for safeguarding shine through in your written application. We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference, so share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand.
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’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest safeguarding legislation and procedures, especially KCSIE and GDPR. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are genuinely committed to protecting vulnerable students.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully handled safeguarding cases or worked with external agencies. This will help demonstrate your practical experience and how you can apply it in this new role.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Use your strong interpersonal skills to engage them in conversation, showing that you can easily build trusted relationships with young people and professionals alike.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the college's approach to safeguarding and how the team collaborates with external agencies. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if the college's values align with yours.
