Job profile

Total People are looking to recruit a Safeguarding Officer (SGO).

Total People are looking to recruit a Safeguarding Officer practitioner to join Total People’s Inclusion team. We are looking for someone who has passion and experience of ‘hands on working’ with young people and / or young adults with safeguarding and wellbeing needs and barriers. You may have youth work settings experience that you can bring to the role.

The successful applicant will also provide support to colleagues across Total People’s apprenticeship/adult provision to ensure the best possible safeguard support is provided across all provisions.

The role will include working under the direct line management of the DSL/EDI lead. 

Examples of vulnerable/disadvantaged learners includes (but limited to):

• Those known or previously known to social care or early help
• All barriers that affect their learning and wellbeing
• Those known to youth justice/probation
• Those previously NEET
• Those with attendance issues and missing from learning

You will need to be driven, organised and dedicated to managing a busy and demanding workload, as well has having a background in safeguarding, welfare and inclusion.

 At Total People we are committed to making a difference and we need motivated and passionate colleagues who can make it happen. The successful applicant must be flexible, confident, an excellent practitioner, and more importantly work to the LTE TP behaviours and values.

Due to the nature of the business you will be required to have a flexible and adaptable approach.

This post is offered on a permanent basis, working 37 hours per week. You must be willing to travel to various locations regionally including our sites at Northwich and Crewe, supporting our Study Programme learner provision.

You may be required to work across other delivery sites / locations and remotely. At Total People we have a team of dedicated colleagues on hand to support you and you will be provided with all the equipment to enable you to work remotely.

Key Responsibilities include: 

• Oversee practical support of learners with safeguarding/wellbeing/pastoral needs, ensuring all learners with these needs receive the timely support to progress and achieve
• Work under the direction of the Designated Safeguard Lead (DSL) managing risk levels including attendance management
• Work closely with the SEND/LDD staff to ensure that these needs do not create vulnerabilities or disadvantage around wellbeing
• Support the development and implementation of Total People’s/LTE safeguard and inclusion culture
• Follow and support the development and implementation of Total People’s Safeguarding, Prevent strategy and policies such as SEND Learning Support, Attendance, and Behaviour.
• Act as a role model and champion of best practice to support a genuine Equality (Equity), Diversity & Inclusion culture across Total People.
• Maintain current, up to date knowledge of legislation and developments within the field of safeguarding including but not exclusive to:
• Further Education and Skills Handbook (Ofsted)
• Equality Act 2010
• Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• Prevent Duty
• Attendance & Behaviour
• Exploitation/grooming
• Mental Health
• Learners missing in and from education

• Maintain up to date and effective progress records for vulnerable/disadvantaged learners inc. the use of systems such as CPOMs
• Work with class tutors applying class or youth work-based approaches in 1 to 1 or group based sessions and contribute towards the wider learning support of the learners.
• Make timely referrals, signposting, and guidance within group work or 1 to 1 settings as needed advocating for learners
• Use evidence-based tools and resources that can measure impact
• Work collaboratively with sector Delivery Managers and Learning Coaches for appropriate support and intervention, to raise aspirations and outcomes for learners with vulnerabilities/disadvantage
• Work with the DSL to oversee the safeguard/welfare risk caseload of learners at Total People, targeting learners, parents, and other agencies to ensure effective and personalised intervention plans are in place meeting legislative and inspection requirements.
• Invite professional agencies into centre for learning as required
• Follow the Total People Careers policy (CEIAG) and Learner Support Policy (SEND)
• Work with other Total People specialists and staff as the role requires
• Support the study programme centre manager (DDSL) in wider safeguard support as needed on site
• Complete specialist CPD training as required

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential: 

• Knowledge of trauma, adversities, and the impact of these on young adults’ development
• Knowledge of key barriers that learners face
• A good understanding of drug/alcohol and mental health needs of learners
• Implementing SMART outcomes to assist tailored intervention for learners
• Experience of working with external agencies as needed especially, local authorities, youth services, social care (social workers), mental health, offending and careers services
• Experience of carrying out administrative duties in relation to safeguarding/welfare/learner progress
• Knowledge of GDPR and information sharing
• Understanding of the legislation, local and national guidance in relation to safeguarding – both children and adults
• Level 2 in English and math’s or equivalent or willing work towards

Desirable: 

• Teaching qualification
• Youth work training/qualification
• Knowledge of CPOMs and other recording systems
• Experience of working to the ‘threshold of need’ protocols and processes in local authorities
• Hold a Safeguard qualification at Level 3

Job Specific Skills:

• ‘Coaching’ – able to deliver high quality, effective motivational questioning that meets colleague and learner needs
• Communication – excellent level communication both oral and writes and interpersonal skills that support the development of collaborative working relationships within Total People and with external partners and stakeholders
• Planning – attention to detail and a track record in developing and delivering robust, effective, prioritised plans which achieve key indicators and strategic aims
• Performance - proactively driving performance and engagement with learners and colleagues
• Customers - ability to present Total People in a positive manner, persuading and influencing where necessary
• Continuous improvement – seek to improve processes and implement and embed change

Benefits:

• 34 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, plus birthday day off 
• Auto enrollment to a workplace pension scheme 
• Retail Discounts 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Flexible working pattern – responsibility for planning your own interventions with learners
• Competitive Salary
• All equipment is provided to complete the role

Development opportunities through our own in-house programmes and recognised qualifications

Total People is one of the largest providers of apprenticeships and work based learning in the Northwest. For more information on what we do please visit us at www.totalpeople.co.uk. If you feel you could make a difference in this rewarding sector, please click on the ‘Apply online’ button below.

Safeguarding

The LTE Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be required to undergo an appropriate DBS check via the Criminal Records Bureau and may be subject to additional online checks as part of our pre-screening process. Some roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and would require an Enhanced DBS check.

Equal Opportunities Statement

Total People is an equal opportunities employer.  Applicants must demonstrate in their application their ability to meet the key responsibilities, key result areas and Qualifications/Skills and Experience detailed within the job description.

The closing date for this job advert is 04/02/2026. However sometimes the job advert may close early if we receive a good response so we recommend you apply at your earliest opportunity.