Safeguarding Officer

Safeguarding OfficerLocation : ChippenhamSalary : £15,050 per annum, pro rata of full time equivalent (FTE) £25,522 per annumWiltshire College & University Centre have an exciting new opportunity for a Safeguarding Officer to join our team.Job Type : Permanent, Part Time 25 hours per week, Term Time Only 36+2 weeks per year (hours will be worked over a 5-day week)About Us :Wiltshire College & University Centre plays a vital role in Wiltshire’s economy, inspiring people to develop the skills they need to achieve. Our four main campuses are learning hubs in their communities, and we aspire to be an outstanding, financially robust and commercially agile provider, achieving our clear social mission on behalf of learners and employers across Wiltshire and beyond. Our campuses deliver a diversity of facilities from the country estate and farm of our Lackham campus to new hi-tech digital and state of the art facilities at our Trowbridge, Salisbury and Chippenham sites. We have invested £65 million in our estate over the past 10 years. Our turnover is £45 million per annum and growing, we employ some 650 staff, and support around 11,500 students.Safeguarding Officer – The Role :Are you passionate about supporting young people and ensuring their safety and wellbeing?Wiltshire College & University Centre is seeking a dedicated Safeguarding Officer to join our Safeguarding Team at our Chippenham campus. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with a strong sense of care, excellent organisational skills, and a proactive approach to student support.You will support the Safeguarding Team in ensuring the continued effectiveness of the college’s safeguarding provision. This includes managing low-level safeguarding concerns, undertaking key administrative tasks, and proactively responding to mental health and wellbeing needs.Safeguarding Officer – Key Responsibilities :Managing a caseload of low-level safeguarding concerns with professionalism and in line with college policies.Maintaining accurate and confidential records on MyConcern, the college’s safeguarding database.Appropriately escalating higher-risk safeguarding concerns to relevant leads or external agencies.Liaising with tutors, Wellbeing Advisers, parents / carers, and external partners to support student wellbeing.Using Mental Health First Aid training to provide crisis support and de-escalate situations.Referring students to internal and external mental health services, ensuring timely intervention.Identifying trends in student concerns and contribute to preventative and early-intervention strategies.Organise and minute safeguarding meetings, such as the Safeguarding Action Group.Assisting in risk assessments and processes relating to student applications with criminal convictions or safeguarding concerns.Preparing safeguarding data reports and updates for Senior and College Leadership Teams.Safeguarding Officer – You :To excel in this role, you should have :Experience in a safeguarding, pastoral, wellbeing, or student support role.Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, procedures, and best practice (training provided).Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.Confidence using databases and digital systems (experience with MyConcern is an advantage).Mental Health First Aid trained or willingness to undertake training.Essential QualificationsTo hold Level 2 English and Maths (or equivalent, GCSE A-C)Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject or equivalent knowledge and experienceCommitment to and evidence of CPDSafeguarding Officer – Benefits :Competitive salary30 days, pro rata annual leave for Professional Service Staff plus bank holidays and additional closure days over the Christmas periodAutomatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension SchemeAccess to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)Discounts with a wide variety of retailersFree onsite car parkingSafeguarding Officer – Application Process :Wiltshire College & University Centre follows Safer Recruitment Guidance outlined by the Department for Education in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. This involves conducting enhanced DBS checks, including checks against the children’s barred list, and other employment verifications, including an online presence review for shortlisted candidates.We embrace diversity, recognising the valuable perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and cultures individuals from different backgrounds bring. Committed to safeguarding, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.As a Disability Confident Employer, we pledge to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy and assess them based on their abilities.To submit your application for this exciting Safeguarding Officer opportunity, please click ‘Apply’ now.PLEASE NOTE :Your Application Form will be shortlisted against how your skills, qualifications and experience match the Essential and Desirable points on the Person Specification for this role, located at the bottom of this page as a downloadable document.Vacancies may close early if sufficient applications have been received; therefore, we would encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.Closing date : 8th DecemberShortlist date : 9th DecemberInterview date : TBC #J-18808-Ljbffr