At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students' safety and well-being, especially those with SEMH challenges.
- Company: One Sixth Form College, dedicated to safeguarding and student welfare.
- Benefits: Flexible working, pension scheme, wellbeing initiatives, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse community committed to equality and safeguarding practices.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of SEMH needs and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 27255 - 29541 £ per year.
One Sixth Form College are seeking a dedicated safeguarding professional with a strong understanding of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and the ability to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns with sensitivity and precision. This role is central to ensuring the safety and well-being of students, particularly those with SEMH challenges, and involves making timely and appropriate referrals to relevant services, including the police or social services.
A deep awareness of contextual safeguarding is essential, as is the ability to assess risk in complex situations involving students with SEMH difficulties, Children in Care, Young Adult Carers, or those with diagnosed or emerging mental health conditions. You will play a pivotal role in working closely with college staff to ensure these risks are understood, communicated, and effectively managed. Excellent communication, IT, and organisational skills are key.
You will collaborate with tutors, parents, and senior leaders, coordinating internal and external resources to address safeguarding concerns, the PREVENT agenda, and wider student welfare matters such as housing and financial vulnerability.
Benefits:
- Membership into Local Government Pension Scheme
- Family friendly policies and flexible working
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee wellbeing initiatives
- Free parking
- Canteen
- Company events
- Access to various memberships and discount schemes
- Learning and development opportunities
- Funded subject course development for your role
- Range of staff communities, including EDI and neurodiverse communities
- Career progression opportunities
The Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Group is committed to safeguarding children and safer recruitment practices and will undertake all the required pre-employment checks on the successful candidate including an enhanced DBS Disclosure. All data will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.
Closing date: 23 June 2026. We reserve the right to appoint prior to the listed closing date, early applications are encouraged. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, gender, gender reassignment, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age in accordance with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
Safeguarding Practitioner in Ipswich employer: Suffolk County Council
One Sixth Form College is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer flexible working arrangements, access to professional development opportunities, and a range of benefits including membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme and various discount schemes. Our collaborative culture encourages staff to engage with diverse communities, ensuring meaningful career progression while prioritising the safeguarding and welfare of our students.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safeguarding Practitioner in Ipswich
✨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 Suffolk County Council.
✨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 Suffolk County Council!
✨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 Suffolk County Council, 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 Suffolk County Council 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 Practitioner in Ipswich
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 Suffolk County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Suffolk County Council! 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 Suffolk County Council
✨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.
