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 and we are delighted to have received funding to further strengthen our safeguarding practice across all work streams.

We currently have a safeguarding framework and action plan which focuses on four key areas; Safe People, Safe Practices, Safe Partnerships and Safe Storytelling.

This has until now been led by our dedicated team of designated safeguarding officers, distributed amongst our programme and operational teams.

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

Key responsibilities:

• 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

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

• 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 statutory organisations and other agencies/organisations as appropriate

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

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

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

• Advice and Support: 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

• Youth Voice and Participation: involve young people in building safe practices and programmes through existing channels (e.g., youth boards, surveys)

• Safe Storytelling: work with our marcomms, 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

• Record Management and Data Protection: ensure confidential, robust and accurate record-keeping e.g. through MyConcern (disclosure reporting tool)

• Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting: 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

• Risk Management and compliance: 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: Undertake any and all other reasonable and related tasks associated with this role

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

This is a brand new role and we are looking for someone who can hit the ground running. Experience of safeguarding is essential, whether in a similar dedicated role or as a DSL/DSO at a similar organisation.

• 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)

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

We are open to this being a fulltime or part time role for the right candidate, but would expect a minimum of 3.5-4 days a week and the ability to flex as required.

The successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK. Deadline for applications is 20th February 2023 at 10am. Interviews are taking place on Thursday 2nd March 2023, either remotely or in our London office depending on where the candidate is based.

At The Diana Award we know that change is a team effort, and work hard to make sure every member of staff is inspired, nurtured and supported. You'll have your 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 also committed to building and developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of the young people we support. We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation. 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 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.