At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding strategy and ensure the wellbeing of vulnerable service users across multiple regions.
- Company: Mears Group, a leader in providing solutions to homelessness and social housing.
- Benefits: Up to £75,000 salary, 25 days leave, car allowance, and volunteering opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to social mobility and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working remotely with travel opportunities.
- Qualifications: Degree in safeguarding and experience in regulated environments required.
Annual salary: up to £75,000.00
Location: Remote role with regular travel
Salary up to £75,000 per annum plus £4,800 company car allowance
Contract: Full time - Permanent, 40hrs per week, Monday to Friday
Mears provides temporary accommodation to asylum seekers whilst their claim is being assessed in three regions: Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. At the end of May 2021 Mears had over 19000 service users across the three regions. Mears work in partnership with central and local Government, registered providers, tenants, landlords and investors to find solutions to homelessness, provide more social and affordable housing and create specialist housing for people with care needs.
About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced and driven Head of Safeguarding to join our team, taking overall responsibility for safeguarding across a key contract. This is a remote role with an expectation of travel, offering a unique opportunity to lead safeguarding strategy and ensure the wellbeing and safety of service users within a complex, regulated environment.
In this role, you will lead safeguarding teams across multiple regions, ensuring that all safeguarding concerns are managed effectively, policies are robust, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements is maintained. You will work collaboratively with both internal teams and external partners, supporting ongoing service delivery and ensuring high standards of care for vulnerable individuals.
Key Responsibilities
- Management of safeguarding teams across multiple regions
- Ensure safeguarding policies are consistently implemented and maintained
- Lead on compliance with legislative and regulatory safeguarding frameworks
- Manage and escalate safeguarding risks appropriately and in a timely manner
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external organisations
- Work closely with frontline teams to ensure the safety and wellbeing of service users
- Ensure accuracy and compliance of all safeguarding records and data
- Oversee adherence to AASC Quality Management Systems
- Support wider Mears Housing Management teams with projects and operational needs
- Ensure full compliance with company policies, procedures, and code of conduct
This role is primarily remote, with an expectation to travel in line with business needs and to be adaptable when priorities change at short notice.
Key Criteria:
- Degree or relevant qualification in safeguarding
- Experience working within a vulnerable or regulated environment
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and legal frameworks
- Experience managing client and regulatory expectations
- Full UK driving licence
Benefits we can offer you
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Annual Mears Fun Day - Our annual Fun Day is organised as a massive thank you from the Executive team for all the hard work!
- Volunteering Leave - Mears supports employees to undertake paid volunteering in the community, in support of our social value commitment.
- Staff perks with Mears Rewards - discounts of up to 10% weekly groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, Share save scheme, plus much more
- Family friendly policies
- Access to EAP Counselling sessions
- 3x Life assurance
- Family private medical
- 50% PHI
- £4,800 car allowance
All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship. Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment. As part of the recruitment process for this role, we will carry out a Background, Identity, Security clearance & BPSS check. For these checks to be completed, we will require from you the relevant identification, including Proof of Address, References, a valid passport and proof that you have lived in the UK for the last 5 years.
At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all. We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this, we hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers. In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. This is to ensure we are committed to improving social mobility. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply.
Head of Safeguarding in Gloucester employer: Mears Group PLC
Mears Group PLC is an exceptional employer located in Leeds, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. Employees benefit from a full-time, permanent contract, competitive remuneration, and opportunities for professional growth within a supportive team culture that values customer service excellence. Join us to be part of a company that prioritises employee development and fosters a sense of community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Safeguarding in Gloucester
✨Get Involved Locally
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Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Mears Group PLC.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Mears Group PLC.
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Safeguarding in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Mears Group PLC. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
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Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Safeguarding, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mears Group PLC
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Mears Group PLC. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
