Safeguarding Officer, RAF Cranwell

RAF Air Cadets is a national youth organisation. This is an exciting time and opportunity to join the safeguarding team based at RAF Cranwell, as part of an expansion and development plan. We are looking for professionals who have practice experience working in the field of child protection. The successful candidate will be working as a Safeguarding Officer, within a growing team which manages all safeguarding matters covering 38,000 cadets, 15,000 adult volunteers and 5,000 charity committee members. The role will require you to undertake a range of safeguarding assessments across the organisation in line with RAFAC and MOD Safeguarding policy, managing active casework. The role is also responsible for contributing to policy development, maintaining existing and formulating new training packages which can be delivered face to face or virtually.

There will be requirements to travel on occasions which will involve direct work with all staff, cadets and volunteers.

The role will involve some evening and weekend work, which can take you away overnight.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

You will need to have a strong knowledge base in relation to relevant legislation and government guidance. You will be responsible for contributing to the development of policy and processes in accordance with MOD policy and government legislation. You will need to be able to work from a holistic perspective, taking into consideration the wider needs of those who require support from the team, identifying the correct level of support. You will be comfortable with working in a fast-paced environment, meeting deadlines with clear assessment reports and accurate recordings of any intervention.

You will hold and maintain casework on the recording system and be responsible for guiding staff and volunteers on the required steps. You must be confident and comfortable in making decisions re risk management, which are evidenced based and have a good understanding of relevant theory and legislation. You will be able to devise and deliver high standards of training relating to a number of key areas in respect of safeguarding, this will be a mixture of face to face and virtual. You will be expected to have the ability to train, develop and mentor others to ensure practice is enhanced and maintained to a high standard.

You will be requested to visit squadron’s and undertake direct work with cadets and adult volunteers to deliver key messages surrounding safeguarding. The role will require some travelling across regions, delivering presentations. Due to the nature of the organisation this will require a flexible approach for some evening and weekend working.

You will be confident to challenge and advocate for the rights of the client group, liaising with external agencies including LADO, Social Workers, Police and education provisions. You will represent the organisation at a number of meetings which may be external such as child protection conferences and strategy discussions, contributing to safeguarding plans.

Extensive in the field of safeguarding / child protection preferably with a relevant qualification – needs to be applied daily in case management direction

A clear understanding of a variety of legislation and government guidance including but not limited to: Children Act 1989; Children Act 2004; Fostering and adoption act; Human Rights Act; UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child; The Children and Families Act; the Education Act; Working together to safeguarding children. This understanding is needed to ensure correct and consistent application on intervention and decision-making practices.

Ability to research, analyse and reflect on practice and engage in a range of assurance and audit pieces to inform practice and practice progression.

Good understanding of theory, life course development, eco systems, practice knowledge and an ability to connect – you must have this level of knowledge to understand human behaviour, predict impact and identify the appropriate and relevant support levels.

Excellent communication skills – to be able to engage and influence all stakeholders, internal and external effectively and articulately and where required write evidence and provide oral evidence in Court. Will also be required to write, interpret, and implement policy.

Competent IT skills to allow for daily functioning which includes the use of spreadsheets for analysis, adopting new technology for creative training techniques and training presentations.

Excellent organisation skills in order to be able to manage the multiple different requirements of the post and organisational demands.

Confidence / resilience – to challenge and negotiate on behalf of the client whether in the scenario that is the team, children, adults, or the whole organisation. You require the confidence to know how and who to challenge and require resilience to maintain positivity and stamina.

Time keeping / Timescales – time management is essential for practice and progression and to be able to work at a fast pace whilst producing quality outcomes.

Professional Accountability with a high work ethic and value base – safeguarding is a significant and professional responsibility and one which the organisation takes seriously.

Driving license is required to enable travel

Be able to offer a flexible approach to work in undertaking visits which may be in the evenings and deliver some training in the evenings / on weekends.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• 25 days Annual leave rising to 30 days upon completion of 5 years service.
• On-site free parking

The post does not offer relocation expenses

Please note: Interview travel expenses will not be reimbursed.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment by 31st December 2022. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

Job contact :

• Name :James Stevens
• Email :james.stevens156@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team :

• Email :DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk