The Opportunity
FTE Salary: NJC Grade 9 £37,563 to £40,444 per annum
Pro Rata Salary: £32,506 to £34,999 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Term Time Only 39 weeks, 37 hours per week
Location: County Hall North, Horsham
Closing date: 16 October 2026
Interview date: 03 November 2026
Are you passionate about safeguarding children and young people in schools?
Do you enjoy working collaboratively and inclusively?
Our Standards and Effectiveness Service are looking for an Adviser to join our Safeguarding in Education Team.
You will be responsible for auditing education settings, drawing conclusions about their safeguarding duties and whether safeguarding is being managed effectively.
This role includes holding conversations with children and staff so you can make informed decisions on school policies, procedures, and practices, and evaluate the culture of safeguarding. You will be required to effectively share your audit findings and be confident in challenging schools where appropriate.
You will work closely and collaboratively with your team and the team leader, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders and educational settings. You will support and provide safeguarding case supervision and management to colleagues within the Education and Skills Directorate.
You Will Be Responsible For
- Providing guidance on safeguarding frameworks.
- Responding to safeguarding concerns and raised complaints.
- Developing solutions and recommendations for schools following audits.
- Providing training to a wide range of stakeholders on safeguarding frameworks, including designing and delivery training to assist schools.
- Analysing and interpreting complex and sensitive data.
- Maintaining confidentiality and security of highly sensitive information.
- Contributing to projects and/or reviews, recognising and balancing risks with reward.
For more information on the Key Skills, Qualifications and/or Experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.
About Us
Our Standards and Effectiveness Service is the key service driving a cultural change towards a school and sector led improvement programme that provides a sustainable capacity within the sector for continuous improvement.
It has oversight of provision from early years through to primary and secondary schools and into post 16 and further education and skills. It has the power to ensure continuity and quality of provision through transition points and to tackle inequalities and underperformance across the county in relation to the quality of providers and outcomes for children and young people.
For more information on our Safeguarding in Education Team, please visit our West Sussex Schools Services for Education website
Benefits
As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance, and are rewarded for the work they do.
For a full list this can be found at our Rewards and Benefits page.
Upon joining us you will have access to a range of benefits including the following:
- Employer Pension Contribution: 15% (this alters per annum on the 1 April each year)
- Annual leave: 27 days holiday + Bank Holidays = 35 days
Job Description
MASH Adviser Safeguarding and Education Job Description
Safeguarding statement
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, five years referencing, and an occupational health check.
Equity, inclusion, and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact Natalie Greene, Recruitment Specialist, at Natalie.Greene@westsussex.gov.uk
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Adviser - Safeguarding in Education in Horsham employer: West Sussex County Council
West Sussex County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises community impact and employee wellbeing. With opportunities for professional development and a focus on strengths-based approaches, you will be empowered to make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model in the beautiful surroundings of West Sussex.
Contact Details:
West Sussex County Council Recruitment Team
