Safeguarding Assistant

Job Title: Safeguarding Assistant

Location: Highbury Campus

Salary: £22,405.99 - £23,695.32 Actual Salary, £28,179.71- £29,801.28 Full Time Equivalent per annum

Hours of work: 32.50 Hours per week, 39 Weeks per year, Part-Time, Permanent

About us:
At City of Portsmouth College, we aspire to be the employer of choice in the Portsmouth area, with a progressive, supportive, and rewarding workplace culture and one that offers competitive benefits for its staff. By joining us, you will personally be part of the change we are driving and will play a pivotal role in supporting the growth and development of our brilliant students, turning them into future leaders and innovators. Everyone at the College is part of the bigger picture and together, each role makes an impact and in turn a difference to our students learning journey.

We have an unrivalled curriculum of courses on offer for students of all ages and stages covering A-levels, Apprenticeships, Vocational & Technical courses. We also offer Higher Education, Online learning and Community courses that appeal to the needs of the local community.

What we offer:

• Annual Leave: 25 days total and closure for winter shutdown period in line with Hampshire County Council school holidays & statutory bank holidays
• Pension: Generous Local Government pension. Further information can be found at www.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-services/pensions/local-government
• Learning & Development: Programmes by The Community Adult Education Department
• Staff Development: Access to the College staff development programmes and CPD
• Onsite Discounts: City of Portsmouth College Hair Salon & 50% off at the City of Portsmouth College Sports Centre
• Online Discounts: Unidays, Student Beans, and Totum with a City of Portsmouth College email address
• Parking: Free car parking across all campus sites (apart from Arundel)
• Blue Light Card: providing several discounts for clothing, electrical goods, food and days out, even concert tickets!

About the role:
The Safeguarding Assistant contributes to the provision of effective student safeguarding and child protection throughout the college by supporting the Senior Safeguarding Officers (SSOs), the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and cross-college safeguarding support for staff in their roles, as necessary. The Safeguarding Assistant will demonstrate the highest levels of commitment and compliance to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.  

Key Responsibilities:

• The Safeguarding Assistant will work with the Senior Safeguarding Officers to promote positive safeguarding procedures and practices within the College.  
• Supporting students referred via safeguarding alert or face to face referrals and working with the student through the college’s safeguarding process and procedures.  
• Produce accurate and timely reporting of safeguarding issues and support the maintenance of secure and confidential records of all safeguarding and child protection concerns.  
• Work in partnership with the Senior Safeguarding Officers, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Designated Safeguarding Lead, and staff to ensure that the College meets statutory and local requirements in relation to safeguarding.  
• Ensure cases of suspected abuse are referred to the appropriate body, supporting staff and students through this process as required.  
• Support the Senior Safeguarding Officers to lead the college’s efforts to safeguard students from potential radicalisation in accordance with the Prevent Duty and Channel Duty Guidance.   

To be successful in this role, below is what we would need from you:

• A good standard of basic education (Maths and English GCSE pass or equivalent)
• 2 to 3 A Level passes or equivalent
• Previous experience of working in a safeguarding role 
• Experience of working with external agencies, students, and parents/carers 
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures 
• Ability to deal with a wide range of people and able to relate to students of all ages 
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills 

Diversity and Inclusion:
Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are central to the work of City of Portsmouth College. This underpins the vision of the College to transform lives through providing exceptional education and training.

The College’s commitment to Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is reflected in the continued successful promotion of these strands through the curriculum, enrichment activities, and the range of direct and indirect student support services.

Pre-Employment Checks:
The City of Portsmouth College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in our college. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and two references.

We reserve the right to close the job advert when we have had successful applications, and it may not run for the full duration of the advert. We do not accept CVs from agencies for these roles.