In 2021 we launched our five-year strategy, ‘Future Forward’ setting out our ambitions for children and young people. Safeguarding is a vital component of ensuring the success of this strategy, which focuses on four key areas:  

• Safe People 

• Safe Practices  

• Safe Partnerships  

• Safe Storytelling  

We are looking for a dedicated Safeguarding Manager to join our team who will continue to take forward our vision and safeguarding action plan, supporting staff, volunteers and young people to ensure everyone we work with is safe from harm.  

JOB DESCRIPTION

Safeguarding Culture

• Embed a safeguarding culture where it is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk and safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do

• Lead on the development and implementation of The Diana Award’s Safeguarding Strategy and Framework

• Take responsibility and oversee The Diana Award’s newly formed external safeguarding Commitee, in line with the group’s terms of reference. Working with them, and internal stakeholders to ensure best practice across the organisations.  

  Case Management:

  • Take the day-to-day lead on managing and actioning anything which constitutes a safeguarding concern in line with our Safeguarding Policy; this includes making referrals to and liaising with The Diana Award's Safeguarding Committee, statutory organisations and other agencies/organisations as appropriate

• Provide specialist advice and support to staff and volunteers across the organisation in all aspects of safeguarding, ensuring best practice and accountability. Attend events and training as the Designated Safeguarding Lead where required

Safeguarding by Design

• Review and update The Diana Award’s Safeguarding policies and procedures, creating new procedures as required and ensure wider policies have considered safeguarding requirements

• Work with teams across the organisation to ensure a ‘safeguarding by design’ approach to all programme design, implementation and partner/stakeholder relationships

• Develop, implement and deliver a robust training programme that equips staff and volunteers with effective tools to safeguard services users and themselves

• Involve young people in building safe practices and programmes through existing channels (e.g., youth boards, surveys)

• Work with our Marketing & Communications, Fundraising and Policy teams to ensure young people are empowered and supported to shape their own storytelling process and that our external media and communications reflects safeguarding best practice

  Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure confidential, robust and accurate record-keeping e.g. through MyConcern (disclosure reporting tool)

• Coordinate and lead on the process of all reporting in relation to safeguarding, both internally and externally, providing regular updates to SLT and the Board, in addition to adhering to statutory reporting guidelines

• Support and advise teams on creating risk assessments which address safeguarding requirements, review, and sign off, in line with the organisational risk management policy and framework

  Other Responsibilities

• Stay aware and informed of updates to the law, safeguarding best practices, youth empowerment, and other topics relevant to the role and the organisation

• Undertake any and all other reasonable and related tasks associated with this role

PERSON SPECIFICATION  

Experience, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience of working in a setting with children and young people implementing safeguarding practices

• Experience of working with adults at risk from a safeguarding point of view (desirable)

• Expert knowledge of the UK safeguarding regulatory framework concerning children and young people including the roles and responsibilities of key safeguarding agencies

• Knowledge of applying safeguarding practices in an international setting (desirable)

• Proven ability to assess complex scenarios in high-risk environments, in order to give high-quality advice and identify pragmatic solutions

• Ability to quickly establish personal credibility and to develop and maintain effective relationships, including working with people with differing perspectives

• Ability to consult and negotiate with external agencies to reach the best outcomes for children, young people and adults at risk

• Ability to use own initiative and manage multiple tasks with minimum supervision.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, in particular, being able to effectively communicate and present information clearly and concisely

• Proven ability to routinely handle emotionally distressing and confidential information

• Experience of delivering engaging training sessions to staff and volunteers on safeguarding

• Understanding of confidentiality, consent and information sharing, including GDPR 

• Ability to undertake occasional travel around the UK (i.e. to support at residentials or training as required)

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Passionate about social justice and supporting young people to reach their full potential

• Flexible and dynamic, with an ability to adapt and respond quickly to a fast-changing environment  

• Personal integrity, credibility, resilience and good judgement 

• A ‘can do’ attitude and driven to achieve great results

• Ability to work well under pressure and manage competing priorities

• Able to quickly build credibility internally and externally 

• Able to represent the organisation, reflecting its values and priorities 

The successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK.

OUR ORGANISATION

The Diana Award is committed to anti-racism, social justice and building and developing a workforce which reflects the diversity of the young people we support. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that values and respects the people who work for us. We seek to ensure all job applications are treated fairly, with respect and without bias.

We positively encourage applications from suitably experienced candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

OUR CULTURE

We know that change is a team effort, and work hard to make sure every member of staff is inspired, nurtured and supported.

Every staff member has their own personal training and development budget, ability to work flexibly around core hours, access to our employee assistance programme 24/7, wellbeing initiatives, equipment to support you both at home and in an office environment (if applicable), opportunities to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues both in person and online, and much more.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all. This is a responsibility that is shared by all members of staff the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS or equivalent police check.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Application deadline: Thursday 19 September 2024 at 10.00am. Shortlisted candidates will be invite to an interview during the week of Monday 30 September in our London Office.

Please reach out to people@diana-award.org.uk if you require any support with the application process or have questions about the role or the process.

Good luck with your application!