Safeguarding Officer, Leeds

We are looking for a new Safeguarding Officer (known as Stay Safe Officer in the Group) to join us at Leeds City College within the Sixth Form department. You will work closely with the curriculum-based department to ensure arrangements are in place and maintained to effectively safeguard our students and vulnerable adults. We are seeking an individual who embraces a restorative approach and places student welfare and safeguarding at the heart of everything they do. Across all our campuses, we are committed to creating an environment where students and staff feel welcomed, valued, safe, and secure. Our safeguarding arrangements are robust and effective, with safeguarding officers responding promptly and appropriately to identify and mitigate risks. Our most recent Ofsted inspection recognised our personal development programmes as outstanding. As part of our team, you will help build on this success, contributing to a culture of vigilance, support, and excellence in safeguarding, while continuing to promote the wellbeing and development of all students. The role will be based at the Park Lane Campus, but occasional travel to other Leeds City College campuses will be required.

What You Will Do

• Provide specialist safeguarding advice, guidance, and training to pastoral, curriculum, and support staff.
• Manage a caseload of students with safeguarding concerns, ensuring timely action, accurate recording, and appropriate safety plans.
• Deliver both formal and informal supervision to designated safeguarding officers, including case discussions and documentation.
• Plan, chair, and record safeguarding meetings, ensuring clear actions and effective case management.
• Deliver safeguarding training across induction, staff development days, and ongoing professional development.
• Liaise with external agencies and internal teams, contributing to risk assessments, support plans, and safeguarding monitoring systems.

About You

• Level 2 Safeguarding trained.
• A recognised qualification in at least one area of expertise in safeguarding, health and care to a minimum of NVQ 3 or equivalent, or substantial experience.
• Recent experience working as a designated safeguarding officer.
• Experience of working with vulnerable groups in an educational setting.
• Up to date knowledge and experience of a range of safeguarding issues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, a good listener who is non-judgemental and able to be adaptable to the needs of staff and students.

Benefits

• Annual leave: Curriculum and Management: 44 days plus bank holidays; Curriculum support and business support: 39 days plus bank holidays.
• Pension schemes with generous employer contributions: Teachers Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, Peoples Pension Scheme.
• CPD opportunities: Annual staff conference plus 2 additional staff development days. Qualifications including PGCE, Apprenticeships, Leadership and Management courses.
• Employee wellbeing initiatives: Family Friendly Policies, discounted onsite spa (Printworks) and gym (Park Lane).
• Travel and commuting: Discounted travel available through Metro card, Northern Rail, First Bus, Arriva Bus and Cycle to work schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities: Please speak to the recruiting manager regarding flexible opportunities as these differ between roles.

Leeds City College is one of the largest further education institutions in the country and is one of the biggest providers of apprenticeships regionally. We provide a vibrant and diverse learning environment, delivering excellent and innovative education which is supportive, inspiring and life changing. Leeds City Colleges values put students first and are at the heart of everything the college does. We are committed to lifelong learning and investing in our staff. You will have access to a broad variety of training and professional development designed to help you continually develop and grow. We offer a wide range of job vacancies, and our large size means there are always exciting opportunities to progress.

SAFEGUARDING

At Luminate Education Group we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our students including children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow the Safer Recruitment requirements and best practice as set out within Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance. All successful applicants will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment checks which include an enhanced DBS check, online checks and must have two satisfactory references. Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in recruitment is key to our Groups values. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that embraces equality, diversity and inclusion in all its forms, where every candidate is treated with fairness, respect, and equity. Our recruitment processes are designed to ensure equal opportunities, remove bias, and promote a diverse talent pool. We continually assess and improve our practices to ensure that every individual, regardless of background, has an equal chance to succeed. By championing EDI, we aim to create a workforce that reflects the richness of our communities and drives innovation through diverse perspectives.

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not forward any unsolicited CVs in relation to any of our advertised roles or speculatively. If we require support with any of our vacancies we will get in touch with agencies directly. We do not recognise submissions of unsolicited or speculative CV applications from recruitment agencies. We shall not be liable for any fee/commission in the event we employ a candidate that may have been submitted as an unsolicited/speculative application from an uninstructed recruitment agency.