Safeguarding Specialist – NFCC

Job Title: Safeguarding Specialist

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £42,500 – £50,000 per annum

Department: People Culture & Leadership

Location: Working from home, with very occasional UK travel

Reports to: Head of the People Culture & Leadership Hub

The NFCC is currently seeking a Safeguarding Specialist to join our busy People, Culture & Leadership Team.

As part of the NFCC People Culture and Leadership (PCL) Hub, this post plays a key role in supporting and enabling fire and rescue services (FRS) to drive organisational and culture change, with a specific focus on Safeguarding.

Through expert knowledge, experience, understanding and practical application, the postholder will provide subject matter expertise on Safeguarding to help drive, shape and inform the NFCC’s strategic approach to supporting FRS’s achieve the Safeguarding Fire Standard and driving wider culture change.

Stakeholder engagement is a key element of the role by building effective relationships and establishing networks, including members of the NFCC Safeguarding Board. The postholder will coordinate, monitor and report all related activity across the NFCC.

The postholder will also be responsible for the production and maintenance of the NFCC’s Safeguarding products, guidance and services, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and meet end user requirements and needs.

Key responsibilities:

1. Provide subject matter expertise in relation to Safeguarding matters, offering FRS’ expert support and advice to embed safeguarding into organisational culture.
2. Provide insight, support and positive challenge on current and emerging issues in Safeguarding, feeding into the NFCC.
3. Work in partnership with colleagues to develop NFCC’s strategic approach in supporting FRS’s to achieve the Safeguarding Fire Standard as part of positive cultural change, leading the evidence gathering process and developing final outcomes.
4. Design, coordinate, deliver and evaluate high quality safeguarding products, including training, to support FRSs in enabling organisational change.
5. Coordinate, monitor and report progress in relation to Safeguarding.
6. Design, deliver and evaluate high quality training to support Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment practices across the sector.
7. Evaluate the effectiveness of PCL tools, products and guidance, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and take appropriate action to meet user needs.
8. Contribute to maintaining the NFCC’s reputation as sector leaders in Safeguarding through representation at external events, external publications, and contributing to external communications.
9. Develop and build successful working relationships with relevant stakeholders, establishing new subject matter groups where required.
10. Provide safeguarding support and advice internally to the NFCC.
11. Support the NFCC’s approach to improving FRS culture, providing advice and guidance in relation to Safeguarding matters, and delivering associated activities.
12. Deputise for the Head of PCL Hub and the Head of Prevention Hub where appropriate, and provide cover for other PCL Specialists as necessary.
13. Line manage or supervise staff within the PCL Hub, where appropriate, for the purposes of delivering Safeguarding activities.

The successful candidate will have:

1. Proven professional qualifications, knowledge and experience in Social Care combined with extensive experience and expertise in translating process and practice through the practical application of strategies, plans and policies.
2. Proven experience in delivering initiatives, including the development and embedding of Safeguarding policies and guidance, to bring about cultural change and improved awareness of those from underrepresented groups.
3. Demonstrable experience of delivering and facilitating training for level 4 and above for Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment.
4. Demonstrable evidence of Safeguarding board attendance at local authority level, or equivalent.
5. Demonstrate a good understanding and relevant experience of supporting colleague health and wellbeing to bring about positive cultural change.
6. Experience of leading, managing and motivating teams and improving performance.
7. A track record of influencing and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
8. Understanding of the fire and rescue service environment including policy, governance and service delivery (Desirable).

If this sounds like the kind of opportunity that you would be interested in, please have a look at the detailed Job Description and apply.

How to apply:

Please complete the application form linked from the ‘apply now’ button on the NFCC website. CVs will NOT be accepted for this position.

If you experience any difficulty completing our application form, or have any queries regarding the role, please contact recruitment@nfcc.org.uk.

Closing Date – 8th December 2024 with interviews being conducted w/c 16th December 2024.

PLEASE NOTE – THIS VACANCY WILL CLOSE BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS.

NFCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and will require a DBS check to be completed prior to commencing in post.

NFCC is committed to being an inclusive employer. We comply with the Equality Act 2010, and we believe that everyone deserves to work in safe environments that are free from bullying, harassment, discrimination, abuse, and harm, where they feel supported, welcome, and able to thrive.

NFCC acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice. All staff are expected to share this commitment.