Safeguarding Officer - Fixed term contract until 31 December 2022

• Assess safeguarding allegations made against those involved in Scouting’s work including young people
• Assess suitability of leaders where adverse information is shown on disclosure checks
• To operate within statutory guidance (UK wide) in relation to adults who hold a Position of Trust
• Provide support and guidance to senior volunteer managers to enable them to implement a local response to concerns and allegations regarding adults and young people in Scouting, including supporting the suspension process
• Make referrals to statutory or professional agencies in respect of allegations against adults and young people in Scouting
• Support risk assessment/procedures for ending period of suspension/ensuring suitability regarding adult and youth members
• Assess all concerns received relating to ‘children in need’: bullying, self-harm, and welfare concerns
• Inform and advise the parents/carers of children subject to referrals
• Attend multi agency meetings
• Requirement to be on-call for the Safeguarding emergency out of hours’ service and to work out of hours
• Help to run and present at volunteer manager training days across the UK

• Professional qualification in safeguarding/child protection
• Educated to degree level standard
• Knowledge of the Scout Movement and its operational structures
• Understanding, acceptance of fundamental values of Scouting
• Knowledge of DBS processes

• Good interpersonal skills                                                            
• Effective communication skills                                    
• Ability to undertake assigned tasks within deadlines
• Able to work within a team                                    
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to manage staff
• Advising on a range of ‘children in need’ issues                                           
• Experience of making referrals to statutory agencies
• Experience of communicating with parents and carers regarding complex situations
• Maintaining strategic partnerships with other agencies
• Use of Information Technology
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Office administration

• Committed to delivering a high quality customer focused service
• Want to ensure responsive and genuine engagement with internal and external stakeholders which will both challenge and support
• Considerable discretion and independence to act under general guidance but refers to higher levels for policy and professional decisions
• Show calmness under pressure            
• Excellent communicator
• Ability to keep sensitive information confidential                                    
• Personable and approachable manner                                    
• Self-starter and ability to work on own initiative                                    
• Open minded, flexible and articulate

• The role will include out of hours working and being on-call
• The post holder will be required to travel widely
• Full driving licence essential

Benefits

Holiday Entitlement: On top of your generous 25 days holiday we give you up to three extra days off between Christmas and New Year. And that’s not all, holiday goes up to 28 days after 2 years’ service and 32 days after 5 years’ service.

Looking after your health and wellbeing

Simply Health scheme: Optical, dental and many more appointments covered, as well as great gym and family days out discounts.

Sickness absence: Once you’re three months in, we have generous sickness pay, above the statutory.

Looking after your future

Generous Pension Scheme: We look after your future. You will be automatically enrolled into The Scout Association’s Group Personal Pension Plan, contributing 3% of your qualifying earnings. The Scouts will contribute double at 6% of your qualifying earnings on auto enrolment. You can increase your contribution at any point and we will double your contribution up to a maximum of 10% of your gross salary.

Looking after your family: Your loved ones will receive four times the basic salary if you pass away while employed by us.

Getting to and from work

Car parking: Yes, our parking is free at all sites. 

Minibus Service: When working at Gilwell Park, a minibus can collect you at 08:20, 08:35. 08:50 from Chingford Station and drop you back at 16:30, 16:45, 17:00 and 17:15. 

We are proud to be a family friendly employer

Personal Days: Up to four personal days paid leave a year. 

Maternity/Paternity Leave: We pay maternity leave above the statutory minimum requirement.

Start and finish time: Employees can apply for some flexibility on their start and finish times of work.

Making your money go that little bit further

Scout Store purchases: You can buy Scout Store merchandise with a discount of 25% on certain items.

Online benefits portal: Our online benefits portal allows you to tailor make your own benefits package.

Developing yourself and others

Study and volunteer leave: Special leave includes paid leave for volunteering and study leave.

The Scout Association Structure

The UK headquarters of the Scouts is based at Gilwell Park, Chingford, London, and is operationally divided into four directorates.