At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide safeguarding advice and support to protect vulnerable individuals in your community.
- Company: Join Serco, a global leader in delivering essential public services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension scheme, and access to over 1,100 internal courses.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working and a commitment to inclusivity for all applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping vulnerable people receive the care they need.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30592 - 37390 £ per year.
Location: West Bromwich B71 1BY - Hybrid role with variable time spent at office & home, includes travel around the West Midlands
Salary: £29,500 plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm or 9am to 5pm
Ready to impact a better future? As a Safeguarding Officer in our AASC, Justice and Immigration team, you’ll provide professional safeguarding advice, guidance and support to operational teams across your region. Your work will help protect vulnerable Service Users, manage safeguarding concerns, and create impactful solutions that support positive outcomes. This is a role where your work has purpose.
Working closely with colleagues, Local Authorities, health partners, statutory agencies and third-sector organisations, you’ll help ensure vulnerable people receive the support, protection and care they need. Through trusted partnerships, sound judgement and a focus on positive impact, you'll play a vital role in helping us impact a better future for the communities we serve.
What You’ll Do As a Safeguarding Officer:
- Provide safeguarding advice, guidance and support to operational teams across your allocated region.
- Assess, manage and respond to safeguarding concerns, ensuring appropriate actions, referrals and escalations are made.
- Build strong relationships with Local Authorities, health partners, statutory agencies and third-sector organisations to support multi‑agency working.
- Maintain accurate safeguarding records, prepare reports and contribute to audits, reviews and continuous improvement activities.
- Represent Serco at safeguarding meetings, forums and case reviews, acting as a professional advocate for Service Users where appropriate.
- Support the development of a strong safeguarding culture by sharing knowledge, promoting best practice and supporting colleagues with complex cases.
Does this sound like you?
- Experience working with vulnerable adults, children or individuals at risk in a safeguarding‑focused environment.
- Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, guidance, thresholds and best practice, gained through qualifications, training and/or professional experience.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trust and work effectively with a wide range of partners.
- Able to assess risk, make informed decisions and manage sensitive or complex situations with professionalism and care.
- Organised and resilient, with experience managing competing priorities, maintaining accurate records and producing clear reports.
What We Offer:
- 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)
- Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
- Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco‑managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
- Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme
- Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging.
Vetting And Checks:
An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. This includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and any relevant information held by local police, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and safeguarding requirements. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to allow us to provide any support needed for you to succeed in the role. This role requires BPSS clearance, which involves identity verification, employment history, and criminal record checks to meet government security standards.
A Little Bit About Us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.
Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, a top Great British Employer of Veterans, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge.
Safeguarding Officer in West Bromwich employer: Serco
Serco Inc. is an exceptional employer that values its employees by offering a dynamic work culture and opportunities for professional growth in the heart of Virginia Beach. With a focus on supporting government contracts, employees benefit from a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and teamwork, alongside competitive benefits and flexible working arrangements that enhance work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safeguarding Officer in West Bromwich
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Serco.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Serco!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Serco, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Serco or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Safeguarding Officer in West Bromwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Serco:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Serco! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
