Five GCSEs at 9–3/A*–E (Including English and Maths)
Safeguarding Support Officer
The Safeguarding Support Officer supports organisations in protecting vulnerable children, young people, and adults from harm, abuse, and neglect, found across sectors like education, health, social care, housing, and charities.
Working closely with designated safeguarding leads, the officer is the first point of contact for concerns, conducting initial risk assessments, triaging cases, and referring to the right services. They also help staff develop skills to recognise and report safeguarding risks and ensure all actions are properly documented.
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The broad purpose of the occupation is to work alongside designated safeguarding leads to support and enable their employing organisation to safeguard the vulnerable populations they work with. A safeguarding support officer will be the first point of contact when there is a safeguarding concern, conducting initial risk assessments, triaging, and signposting to the most appropriate person within their organisation or external agency if appropriate. The safeguarding support officer will maintain accurate and up to date documentation of any decisions and advice given, ensuring information is accurately recorded and that documentation is safely stored and shared appropriately, proportionately and securely according to national and organisational policy. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with staff and volunteers in their organisation, service users and members of the public as the first point of contact for raising safeguarding concerns. Safeguarding support officers will also interact externally with investigative statutory agencies. A safeguarding support officer will report into the designated lead for safeguarding within their organisation. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for responding and triaging, initial safeguarding concerns. This will include investigating the concern, seeking advice as needed and signposting and or referring to the most appropriate person or organisation. Safeguarding support officers will assist practitioners to collate and assess information and intelligence to prepare an accurate account of the safeguarding concerns to ensure a high-quality referral is made to ensure that the most appropriate action is taken to safeguard the vulnerable persons. Safeguarding support officers will also be responsible for recognising and responding to early signs of abuse and neglect in vulnerable children, young people and adults and supporting staff within their employing organisation to report concerns about the safety of individuals working alongside external organisations and agencies to adhere to safeguarding best practice principles.
In a Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship, you’ll build a range of skills like spotting safeguarding concerns, understanding the relevant laws and company policies, and advising your colleagues on how to handle these issues. You’ll also learn how to prioritize and manage different concerns effectively. You’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to protect vulnerable people, acting as the first point of contact when concerns arise. You’ll learn to spot early signs of abuse, carry out risk assessments, and work with other agencies to make sure help arrives when it’s needed. You’ll play a vital role in keeping people safe and supporting your organisation’s safeguarding duties. Plus, apprentices will get a solid understanding of safeguarding principles, how to communicate with individuals in a person-centred way, when and how to escalate issues, local policies, and much more.
As part of the apprenticeship programme you will be required to undertake both on and off-the-job training. While your employer will be responsible for your training on-the-job (workplace), the College and your employer will be jointly responsible for your off-the-job training enabling you to help develop the right knowledge, skills and behaviours to become competent in your job role. You will attend College on a day-release basis during term-time for the duration of your programme with us, to gain knowledge and develop some practical skills. The College will agree additional off-the-job training with your employer to ensure you develop the majority of your skills and behaviours in the workplace.
Apprentices must meet the knowledge, skills, and behaviours as defined within the standard. All apprentices must take an independent assessment at the end of their training to assess their ability and competence in their job role.
Upon successful completion, individuals will be equipped to undertake the role of a Safeguarding Support Officer. This qualification can also serve as a foundation for those aiming to become a Designated Safeguarding Lead or Designated Safeguarding Officer, with opportunities to specialise in areas such as child protection, adult safeguarding, or multi-agency safeguarding hubs (MASH). Employee’s who complete this course may progress into strategic leadership positions, including roles like Safeguarding Consultant or Policy Advisor. Additionally, this qualification opens up diverse career paths across sectors such as health and social care, education, and community safety.
Potential roles include Family Liaison Officer, NHS Safeguarding Practitioner, Mental Health Support Worker, and Probation Officer.