Welfare and Safeguarding Officer

Colchester Institute Enterprises Limited; Colchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job description

Join Colchester Institute – Where Your Career Makes a Difference

At Colchester Institute, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities. As one of the leading providers of education and training in the region, we are proud to offer a dynamic, supportive, and forward-thinking working environment.

We are seeking a dedicated Welfare and Safeguarding Officer to join our team. In this role, you will provide a front line, reactive first response service, to student safeguarding and welfare concerns in order to support student safety and wellbeing, refer to and signpost to external support agencies and reduce barriers to learning.

Job Title: Welfare and Safeguarding Officer

Term time only, 38 weeks a year, 37 hours week.

Based in Colchester with travel to Braintree where needed.

About the role:

• To be a College Safeguarding Officer, working with and supporting a case load of students.
• To promote and advise on all aspects of Safeguarding and Child Protection.
• Act as a first response to referrals regarding learner welfare issues including homelessness, bullying and harassment, anxiety, signposting to other teams, liaising with the course area and external agencies as appropriate.
• Arrange, co‑ordinate and chair support meetings and TAF (Team around the family meetings) for students with welfare and safeguarding concerns including parental/NOK contact, hosting the meeting with parents/NOK, external agencies and course areas.
• Contribute to and attend Professional Meetings and reviews concerning enrolled students including Team Around the Family, Child in Need meetings, Child Protection Conference, Strategy meetings.
• Comply with requests for information regarding students including the attendance and progression of learners and timely completion of Section 17 and Section 47 requests.

Essential Experience:

• Recent experience of working with, and supporting vulnerable young people aged between 16-19 years old in a similar role
• Experience of dealing with and case management of safeguarding cases, following policies and procedures
• Working knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and a commitment to creating a safe learning environment.
• Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure and to multi‑task
• Experience of working with welfare issues, such as homelessness, emotional and behavioural issues and mental health concerns

Essential Qualifications:

• Minimum of Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics GCSE 4+ or C and above / CSE Level 1 / O-Level C or above / Level 2 Adult Numeracy or Literacy or equivalent
• Education to level 3 or above and/or a professional qualification in relevant subject area or equivalent

Why join us?

At Colchester Institute, we value our staff and invest in their growth. Joining us means becoming part of a vibrant community dedicated to excellence in education and training. If you are passionate about making a difference and inspiring the next generation, we would love to hear from you.

We do not engage with recruitment or search agencies unless they have been officially contracted in line with our PSL.