Safeguarding and Wellbeing Advisor in Bedford

Overview

• Location: Bedford College – Cauldwell Street Campus
• Salary/Benefits: Salary between £27,717 and £32,515 per annum (Pro-Rata) DOE and Qualifications, People’s pension, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.
• Hours/Weeks: 37 hours per week – 40 weeks per year
• Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

About The Role

We are currently seeking two Safeguarding and Wellbeing Advisors to join our Student Services department at The Bedford College Group. As a Safeguarding and Wellbeing Advisor, you play an important role in the success of our students through:

• Safeguarding & Wellbeing Support – Provide impartial advice to students, identify barriers, and deliver short-term interventions on issues such as mental health, consent, bullying, and substance misuse.
• Case Management – Record and monitor safeguarding concerns on CPOMS, maintain accurate records, manage referrals, and liaise with internal teams and external agencies to ensure timely action.
• Compliance & Best Practice – Stay updated with statutory requirements (KCSIE, Prevent), initiate alerts, complete risk assessments, and embed safeguarding and child protection policies across the college.
• Student & Staff Engagement – Deliver wellbeing events, provide guidance to staff on child protection, and ensure clear communication channels for feedback and concerns.
• College Representation & Teamwork – Support enrolment, marketing events, disciplinary hearings, and cross-college activities; work collaboratively to maintain a professional, student-focused service.

About You

• Qualifications – Level 2 English & Maths; Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject; Youth Mental Health First Aid certificate (or willingness to achieve).
• Experience – Working in a busy student welfare environment; providing information, advice, and guidance; handling challenging situations effectively.
• Skills & Competencies – Strong administrative skills, attention to detail, ability to plan and organise tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records.
• Communication & Teamwork – Ability to engage confidently with students and staff at all levels; professional telephone manner; ability to motivate others and work collaboratively.
• Personal Attributes – Flexible, friendly, and proactive approach; problem-solving ability; good attendance and timekeeping; commitment to safeguarding and college values.

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy. Interviews to be held: TBC

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational VISION values:

• Valuing Teamwork - We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
• Improving Continuously - We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
• Student Centred - At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
• Inclusive - We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
• Open and Caring - We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
• Nurturing Education Excellence - We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.

About The Bedford College Group

The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year. Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire: Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for Motorsport along side Silverstone race circuit. To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.

Safeguarding our Students

The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group's policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy. Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.