Safeguarding & Wellbeing Officer

We have an exciting opportunity to join our brilliant Student Support department as a Safeguarding & Wellbeing Officer.

Our Safeguarding and Wellbeing Officers are instrumental in working with our students to transform lives. They assess and provide support for students and prospective students with safeguarding, mental health, and personal welfare challenges, including the provision of ‘early help’ and curriculum staff support.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide a first point of contact for staff and students with safeguarding and wellbeing concerns, including mental health
• To liaise with curriculum staff and other support staff to ensure positive outcomes for service users, including retention, achievement and progression. This will include the negotiation of reasonable adjustments necessary to enable the students to overcome barriers to learning.
• Signposting and referral of students to additional internal and external sources of support, providing advocacy where appropriate.
• To contribute to the development and maintenance of a range of resources, both electronic and paper, which support the personal and social welfare of students.
• To work flexibly as a member of the College supporting colleagues and the general operation of the area including weekend and evening work if required.
• Attend and contribute to appropriate team meetings, staff development and marketing activities.
• Proactively engage with students in service evaluation and quality improvement
• Support young people and vulnerable adults at risk of harm
• To make appropriate referrals to statutory bodies and other internal and external services based on assessed needs and risk
• Devise, coordinate and monitor risk assessments and support plans and agree safety plans for students at ongoing risk of harm which maximise individual potential and achievement
• To implement best practice in relation to safeguarding, Prevent and mental health.

The Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will be a learner and quality-focused with a commitment to our vision of working together to transform lives. You should be able to contribute to our journey to Outstanding, creating a positive working and study environment, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion should be embedded within your core values.

Education & Training

• Safeguarding or Mental Health qualification at Level 2 and above or demonstrable experience working within a Safeguarding role
• GCSE 4 – 9 or equivalent level 2 qualification in Maths, or be prepared to pass a test before the interview to demonstrate level 2 ability, and then, if appointed, achieve within an agreed timescale
• GCSE 4 - 9 or equivalent level 2 qualification in English, or be prepared to pass a test before the interview to demonstrate level 2 ability, and then, if appointed, achieve within an agreed timescale 

Experience

• Experience of working in an education, Social Care or youth work setting including direct work with service users
• Experience of supporting young people and/or vulnerable adults at risk of harm
• Experience of working in partnership with external agencies, for example Children’s Services, CAMHS, the Police
• Experience of compiling support plans with individuals and or parents/carers ensuring accuracy, accountability and confidentiality.

Benefits of working at Bradford College:

• Generous annual leave entitlement – equivalent to 30 days of holidays, plus bank holidays
• Additional college closure days, including a 2-week Christmas closure
• West Yorkshire Pension Scheme, with a generous 18% employer contribution
• Annual salary reviews
• Career progression opportunities – 54% of all vacancies are filled internally
• Free sports and gym facilities
• Free wellbeing initiatives and access to our exclusive staff indoor and outdoor wellbeing space
• Confidential employee assistance service and on-site mental health first aiders
• Access to Bradford College benefits hub, offering retail, travel, leisure and dining discounts and cashback
• Discounts on greener travel – cycle to work scheme & local MetroCard and Northern Rail discounts
• Access to hair and beauty treatments in our student-led Signature Spa
• On-site dining facilities, including our award-winning Grove restaurant
• A host of training development opportunities
• Fantastic campus facilities, a short walk to public transport links in the heart of the City of Culture 2025
• The opportunity to work for an organisation that is truly committed to creating a better future for all through education and training.