Safeguarding Officer

Overview

Are you passionate about keeping children safe and supporting schools to deliver outstanding safeguarding practices? Join our dedicated Education Safeguarding Advisory Service (ESAS) as a Safeguarding Officer, where you’ll play a vital role in shaping the safeguarding culture across Buckinghamshire’s schools and colleges.

This is a unique opportunity to influence safeguarding standards, deliver impactful training, and provide expert guidance to educational settings. You’ll be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team committed to making a real difference in the lives of children and young people.

This is a permanent, part time role working 22.2 hours per week. The salary advertised will be pro rata.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.  

Buckinghamshire is an ambitious, rapidly growing county, and our economy is one of the strongest in the country. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ranks as one of the top rural areas to live in the UK and yet it is incredibly well connected– only an hour from London on the train. The county has a rich history and heritage and is the birthplace of the international Paralympic movement.

We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey. You will be entitled to a range of different benefits to make sure you are happy both at work and at home.

About the role

As a Safeguarding Officer, you’ll support schools and the local authority in fulfilling their statutory safeguarding responsibilities under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002. You’ll deliver high-quality training, develop policies, and offer expert advice to Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and education professionals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering DSL training, refresher courses, and whole-school safeguarding sessions.
• Leading DSL forums and supporting multi-agency working, including MARAC and MACE processes.
• Providing targeted support to schools identified as vulnerable or underperforming.
• Monitoring safeguarding performance and conducting school safeguarding reviews.
• Advising on policy development and ensuring compliance with national guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together.
• Supporting schools in preparing for Ofsted inspections and developing action plans to improve safeguarding standards.

Please see the job description for a full list of responsibilities.

About you

You’ll be a confident communicator with a strong understanding of safeguarding legislation and child protection processes. Your ability to influence, guide, and support education providers will be key to your success.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has at least 2 years’ experience working with children in education or social care.
• Holds a teaching or social work qualification (or equivalent).
• Demonstrates excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Understands how schools operate and can tailor support accordingly.
• Is IT literate and able to manage workload and priorities effectively.
• Is passionate about safeguarding and committed to continuous professional development.

A full driving licence is required, and you must be comfortable conversing with members of the public in accurate spoken English.

Other information

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Helen Carter at [email protected]

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 2^nd November

Interviews: week commencing 10^th  November (13^th)

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

 

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/