Safeguarding Manager

RABI is the farmers charity. RABI supports farming people across England, Wales and NI with expert, one‑to‑one practical, financial and emotional help, all year round. From confidential advice and mental health support to direct financial assistance, their tailored services respond to the unique challenges of farming life. At the heart of RABI’s mission is a commitment to strengthening resilience; helping farming people feel valued, supported and better equipped to navigate uncertainty and change. RABI is working to close the farming wellbeing gap and build a future where farming people can thrive.

Key Purpose

The Safeguarding Manager is a pivotal leadership position at RABI, responsible for spearheading the organisation’s dedication to safeguarding and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone connected to our work. You will lead the operational development, implementation, and oversight of RABI’s safeguarding policies and procedures, while line‑managing and mentoring the Safeguarding Officer. This role also serves as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), assuming all DDSL responsibilities when the Senior Service Delivery Manager (DSL) is unavailable. You will play a key role in embedding a trauma‑informed, person‑centred safeguarding culture across the organisation, ensuring that staff, volunteers, and partners understand how trauma affects behaviour, engagement, and recovery, and that this understanding underpins every safeguarding response.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management
  • Provide clear, supportive, and developmental line management to the Safeguarding Officer, overseeing daily tasks, case management, and professional growth.
  • Act as the primary escalation point for complex or high‑risk safeguarding concerns, applying a trauma‑informed approach that prioritises safety, empowerment, and dignity.
  • Oversee referrals to RABI’s counselling and wellbeing services, ensuring a compassionate and responsive approach in line with internal and external SLAs.
  • Foster a reflective team culture that values emotional safety, supervision, and professional resilience.
• Policy, Compliance & Training
  • Lead the development and continuous enhancement of RABI’s safeguarding policies, procedures, and guidance to ensure alignment with current legislation, trauma‑informed best practice, and regulatory expectations.
  • Ensure consistent compliance across all departments, embedding safeguarding and trauma awareness as core organisational values.
  • Design and oversee delivery of a comprehensive annual safeguarding training programme that includes trauma‑informed principles, empowering the Safeguarding Officer to deliver foundational sessions and personally conducting advanced training.
  • Maintain expert knowledge of safeguarding practice changes, trauma theory, and statutory guidance, ensuring RABI’s approach remains sector‑leading.
• Reporting & Continuous Improvement
  • Translate complex safeguarding data and trends into actionable insights, providing trauma‑aware analysis and recommendations to the DSL and senior leadership team.
  • Monitor and evaluate safeguarding processes, identifying lessons learned and opportunities to strengthen trauma‑informed practice.
  • Promote safeguarding and trauma‑informed best practices through reflective learning and cross‑team collaboration.
• External Engagement & Collaboration
  • Build and maintain strategic relationships with safeguarding bodies, regulatory authorities, and sector partners.
  • Represent RABI at external safeguarding forums, networks, and working groups.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues in Volunteering, Fundraising, Partnerships, and Service Delivery to embed safeguarding into all projects and services.
  • Ensure staff and volunteers fully understand escalation routes and safeguarding expectations.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Significant experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) in a complex organisation.
• Proven experience in leading, managing, and developing a team within a safeguarding or related operational context.
• Up‑to‑date specialist safeguarding training for adults and children.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UK safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and trauma‑informed approaches to practice.
• Strong risk assessment skills, with ability to manage complex cases and make sound judgments.
• Excellent communication, report‑writing, and record‑keeping skills.
• Experience providing safeguarding support and guidance to staff and volunteers working with at‑risk adults, children, and families.
• Proficiency with safeguarding data recording systems.
• Highly organised, with ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities, capable of influencing and engaging diverse stakeholders.

Desirable

• Relevant degree or equivalent demonstrable experience in safeguarding, social work, or a related field.
• Qualification or CPD in trauma‑informed practice.
• A background or knowledge of the farming community.

Personal Attributes

• Empathetic, emotional intelligent, approachable, and able to build trust quickly.
• High levels of integrity, discretion, and professional judgement.
• Resilient, flexible, and solution focused.
• Committed to inclusivity, equality, and ethical practice.
• Proactive and self‑motivated, with a drive for continuous improvement.

Additional Requirements

• Full driving licence with willingness to travel nationally when required.
• Commitment to ongoing safeguarding and professional development training.

This role profile is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the post holder according to future developments at RABI. Early applications are encouraged for this position as shortlisting and interviews will take place on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a suitable application prior to the deadline.

BENEFITS

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (based on full time working).
• Enrolment to Nest on commencement of employment and then opportunity to join RABI’s group pension scheme with Standard Life where RABI make contributions equivalent to 10% of your basic salary, provided you make a personal contribution of 5%.
• Life assurance from day one.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site parking.

RABI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and aims to ensure that all employment practices promote equality, diversity and inclusion. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated fairly and with respect, and no employee or applicant receives less favourable treatment because of their sex, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, belief, ethnic origin, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic that cannot be justified. Recruitment and development decisions are made solely on the basis of skills, experience, qualifications and abilities.