At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding initiatives and support communities to ensure safety and inclusivity.
- Company: Join the RNLI, a historic organisation dedicated to saving lives at sea.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 26 days leave, pension scheme, and health cash plan.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel across Ireland and the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in safeguarding while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Safeguarding Qualification and experience in safeguarding investigations required.
The predicted salary is between 48526 - 57089 € per year.
Salary: €48,526 - €57,089 (dependent on experience)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Location Description: Homebased with travel within the region (Ireland)
Closing Date: 06-05-2026
Reference: 21492
About us
We are an inclusive and values-driven organisation made up of staff and volunteers, all with a simple purpose: to save lives at sea. We do this without prejudice. We respect and value diversity and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service, which we have been doing for nearly 200 years.
Your Role
As a Safeguarding Officer, you will deliver safeguarding activities, support with the implementation of policy and guidance, and act as the lead practitioner in the management of safeguarding disclosures. You will be tasked with focusing on the following areas:
- Act as the safeguarding lead practitioner across the geographical patch, providing high-quality, practical safeguarding advice, oversight, guidance and support, escalating to the Designated Safeguarding Lead where appropriate.
- Coordinate and lead the assessment of all safeguarding allegations in line with the RNLI's Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, providing quality safeguarding oversight, guidance and support.
- Undertake delegated safeguarding investigations that meet a safeguarding threshold across the geographical patch and, where required, across other parts of the UK and Ireland. Support other Safeguarding Officers with investigations when requested.
- Manage complex and sensitive safeguarding cases. Update and maintain the regional Single Central Record, ensuring compliance. Manage and maintain all assigned cases in the Safeguarding Case Management system.
- Operate within the legal, statutory and regulatory frameworks, and report matters to external agencies within set timescales, such as LADO teams.
- Manage the criminal vetting check positive disclosure process for the geographical patch, escalating where necessary to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Act as an enabler in the delivery of positive activities for children, young people and adults engaged with or come into contact with the RNLI.
About You
You’ll be someone with a proven ability to set and deliver on strategic safeguarding direction, an active listener and strong communicator who is able to create and deliver powerful written and verbal communication to a variety of audiences. You will need:
- At a minimum, a Level 3 Safeguarding Qualification.
- Experience of challenging and influencing organisational culture and behaviour.
- In-depth knowledge and a genuine interest and commitment to the Safeguarding agenda.
- Experience of conducting safeguarding investigations.
- Experience of delivering training and education.
- Proven success at getting results from working collaboratively across all levels.
- Experience of externally networking and creating benefits from bringing in best practices.
- To be effective at using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and SharePoint.
- A valid driving licence.
Safeguarding
The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person's health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out, dependent on the eligibility of the role.
Diversity at the RNLI
Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.
Safeguarding Officer - Ireland in Bedford employer: RNLI
The RNLI is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and prioritises employee wellbeing. As a Safeguarding Officer based in Ireland, you will benefit from a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a robust pension scheme, all while playing a vital role in ensuring the safety of communities. With opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to safeguarding, the RNLI provides a meaningful and rewarding environment for those dedicated to making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safeguarding Officer - Ireland in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the safeguarding field, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can give you a leg up.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the RNLI and their safeguarding policies. Show us that you’re not just passionate about safeguarding but also understand how it fits into our mission of saving lives at sea.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions. We want to hear about your experiences and how they relate to the role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows us that you’re genuinely interested in the position. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Safeguarding Officer - Ireland in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in safeguarding. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to create a safe and inclusive environment.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:As a Safeguarding Officer, strong communication is key. Use your application to demonstrate your ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively. We love seeing examples of how you've done this in the past!
Highlight Your Experience:Don’t hold back on sharing your experience with safeguarding investigations and training. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we know what you’ve achieved in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at RNLI
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your safeguarding knowledge before the interview. Familiarise yourself with the RNLI's Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, as well as any recent developments in safeguarding legislation. This will show that you're not just qualified but genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Safeguarding Officer, you'll need to communicate effectively with various audiences. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated complex safeguarding issues in the past. Think about times when you’ve had to influence or challenge organisational culture – these stories will resonate well.
✨Demonstrate Your Investigative Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience with safeguarding investigations. Have specific examples at hand that highlight your ability to manage sensitive cases and provide oversight. This is crucial, so make sure you can articulate your approach and the outcomes of your investigations.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Networking
The role requires working collaboratively across different levels and networking externally. Prepare to talk about how you've built relationships in previous roles and how those connections have benefited your work. Highlight any training or education you've delivered, as this shows your commitment to sharing best practices.
