To ask School Safeguarding Officers for some help (work related!)

[newjobwhodisperhaps]

I have an interview for a school Safeguarding Officer role.

Really would like to get this sort of role, it's perfect for my background and for my future aspirations.

Can I ask for your advice on what the job looks like day to day for you (and whether you're a big/small school/deprived area etc) and what some interview questions might be?

Thank you x

Bump! To hopefully catch those of you who may (or may not!) be finishing up at schools now

What's your background that makes it so perfect ? Genuine question

I thought the school safeguarding officer was usually the Head or another senior teacher. I am surprised any school has the funds to pay a separate person!

Sorry not very helpful response, but the NSPCC has loads of resources about safeguarding so I am sure there will be content in there that will spark ideas for your interview.

You'd be better off asking in the education threads - maybe the staff room forum

Safeguarding is way too bigger job for a headteacher these days. We have a Safeguarding manager ( for the whole trust) and a deputy ( non teaching) who do all the Safeguarding training, manage all the safe reports. The deputy also has well being, counselling responsibilities. I would read on case studies and scenarios. Forced marriage, prevent, sexual exploitation, county lines. Its a huge and very important job. You need a high level of resilience.

@SlowHandClap Social Work, Education based settings and Youth Work.

@gatehouseoffleet I am seeing a fair few safeguarding jobs being advertised in schools, which has surprised me as well!

@SlowHandClap oh and school governor team

@Galarunner thank you! I'm trying to build a picture of what the role might look like in different schools so I can decide whether it's going to be suitable longer term. Currently in a very 'calm' social care education team and work TTO already. I am retraining in a mental health area and would love to get back to direct working with children within a safeguarding and wellbeing role

In most schools, the Head is a DSL - designated safeguarding lead - and in bigger schools there may be other DSOs. Some schools also have a Safeguarding Officer - usually someone with a welfare background but in my old school it was a TA who had worked at the school as pastoral lead and worked their way up to SO.

You may be required to be available in school holidays because there may well be MDT meetings where a student’s family is in crisis.

Keeping an eye on attendance and patterns of absences , always being approachable , keeping accurate written records , no paraphrasing, observing strict confidentiality, leasing with police , SS and adoption boards. Being firm when you are unable to discuss anything with other staff or parents. Being prepared to attend court
Everything that @Galarunner said too .
Just trying to think what else... Sounds like you would have it all covered, good luck @newjobwhodisperhaps

Large school. Deprived area.
Day to day incidents, concerns or contact from children, teachers, parents, social workers, police or other agencies take over much of the day.
Some issues are low level but need recording just the same as high priority ones.

Often takes the brunt of parent frustration or anger depending on the situation.

The admin side, like organising training for staff is a smaller part of the job here.

I am not the safeguarding lead, but see and work closely enough to see how full on and VERY busy it is.

Thank you everyone.
I perhaps need to give more thought to this potential move, and tread very carefully.
I've done Child Protection and CLA in the past and remember the mental toll. Except I have children now so need to have some sort of balance!
I'm also retraining so there's that to consider. 😖