Safeguarding Officer

Safeguarding Officer

Safeguarding

Salary: £25,065 to £27,330 per annum (£29,834 to £32,529 full year equivalent)Contract Type: Permanent - Term Time 37 hours per week

Reference: REC2481 Closing date: Sunday, 9th August 2026

Term Time Contracts

This contract offers full-time hours across 37 weeks of the year, during term time.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about safeguarding and committed to supporting learners to achieve their full potential? Do you have experience of undertaking direct work with young people and adults through early intervention, prevention and targeted support?

Barnsley College is seeking a dedicated, proactive and compassionate Safeguarding Officer to join our experienced Safeguarding Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in promoting the welfare, safety and wellbeing of our learners, with a strong focus on early help, prevention and direct learner support.

As a Safeguarding Officer, you will be at the heart of our safeguarding provision, acting as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns and ensuring timely, effective support is provided to learners who may be vulnerable or at risk. A key aspect of this role is working directly with learners to identify needs at the earliest opportunity, helping to prevent issues from escalating and empowering learners to overcome barriers to their education, wellbeing and personal development.

You will build positive, trusting relationships with learners, providing practical support, safety planning, mentoring and intervention work, while working closely with curriculum staff, parents/carers and a wide range of external agencies. Through effective early help approaches, you will ensure learners receive the right support, at the right time, reducing risk and improving outcomes.

No two days are the same. One day you may be undertaking direct intervention work with a learner, attending a multi-agency safeguarding meeting or making referrals to Children's or Adult Social Care; the next you could be completing risk assessments, supporting learner transitions, delivering preventative safeguarding initiatives, or contributing to staff training and awareness activities across College.

This is a highly rewarding role for an experienced safeguarding professional who is passionate about early intervention, prevention and learner-centred practice. We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is confident in undertaking direct work with young people and adults and is motivated by making a lasting positive impact on learners' lives and future outcomes.

About You

You genuinely care about the wellbeing of young people and adults and are committed to helping create an environment where learners feel safe, supported and able to achieve their full potential. You have a professional, approachable manner and the ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people, earning trust while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

You are calm under pressure, resilient when dealing with challenging situations and confident making well-informed decisions in complex circumstances. With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, you can adapt your approach to support learners, collaborate with colleagues and work effectively with external partners and stakeholders.

Highly organised and able to manage competing priorities, you take a proactive approach to your work and understand the importance of maintaining accurate records, handling sensitive information appropriately and exercising sound judgement. Above all, you share our commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and delivering the highest standards of support to our learners.

Below is a list of some of the key skills, qualifications and experience we are seeking for this exciting opportunity.

Required

· Level 3 Safeguarding related qualification or equivalent

· Maths and English at Grade A* to C (or equivalent)

· Willingness to participate in and undertake further training and development

· Experience in a substantial safeguarding role

· Experience of making appropriate referrals to Children's and/or Adult Social Care

· Experience of completing safeguarding risk assessments and implementing appropriate control measures that support informed decision-making

· Experience of providing effective safeguarding support and guidance through early intervention, prevention and targeted support work

Reasons to join us

• We offer substantial annual leave entitlement (Up to 47 days per year including bank and public holidays)
• Holiday purchase scheme to buy additional annual leave days
• Local Government Pension Scheme – with a generous 19.2% employer contribution!
• We invest in our people through funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training and paid volunteering days
• Career advancement opportunities with tailored support for staff to progress
• Free Barnsley College courses to support your professional and personal development (subject to approval)
• 24/7 access to same day appointments with a GP
• Exclusive discounts and cashback for retail, dining and leisure as part of YouatWork
• Access to health cash plans as members of the Westfield Health Scheme or Health Shield
• Discounted college gym membership with onsite facilities
• Supporting employee mental health through access to free counselling services and the Foundations App
• Discounts schemes for greener travel including Northern Rail, Trainline and Cycle to Work
• Free Microsoft Office 365 for personal use on up to five machines
• Access to discounted hair and beauty therapies at our onsite salon
• On site subsidised Starbucks and food outlets offering a variety of dining options

· Free breakfast provided daily for all staff members

· Our shared purpose - We believe in transforming the lives of both our learners and staff

· Employees can enrol on a Barnsley College course of their choice free of charge, supporting both professional and personal development (subject to approval)

The Barnsley College Advantage

When you join us, you can expect to benefit from “The Barnsley College Advantage”. This is the advantage of:

· Being supported to achieve your personal and professional goals

· A range of flexible working opportunities

· Autonomy, Empowerment and Accountability

· Short- and Long-Term development commitments

· Access to experiencing work in a range of areas

· Working in a Value and Behaviour led organisation

· Reward and Recognition

· Having your voice heard at every level

· Comprehensive Wellbeing Support

Closing date for applications is Sunday, 9th August 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early depending on the level of interest.

Barnsley College is committed to creating a dynamic and diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of their gender, disability, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. The College 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 successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure from DBS.

Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

We are committed to sustainability, embedding environmentally responsible practices across everything we do and preparing our learners for a low‑carbon future. Find out more about our approach: View our Sustainability Strategy

Pay: £25,065.00-£27,330.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person