Safeguarding Manager – West Midlands Fire Service

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) is the second largest fire and rescue service in England, serving an area of 902km square and a population of more than 2.9 million people.

Our vision is ‘Making the West Midlands safer, stronger and healthier’.

This vision and the strategic goals outlined in ‘Our Strategy’ are what drives the people, professionalism and pride with which we serve our communities.

An exciting opportunity has arisen in our Prevention Team for an experienced Safeguarding Manager.  As one of our 2 x Safeguarding Managers, you will jointly act as the Delegated Designated Safeguarding Lead.

In line with current legislation. You will also give professional advice and guidance in relation to Safeguarding so that our staff and volunteers can effectively safeguard themselves and others.

The post is being offered as a temporary contract for 6 months. This is pending confirmation of the budget for 2025/26 after which time the intention is to make the post permanent.

Please note that this post is 0.6FTE (3 days per week). The preference is for the postholder to be at work on Mondays and Tuesdays plus one other weekday. This will provide maximum cover for the organisation and an opportunity for collaboration with the other Safeguarding Manager.

Responsibilities

The Safeguarding Manager will:

• lead and manage the safeguarding responsibilities across the organisation
• work with our Safeguarding Oversight and Assurance Group, internal departments, local authorities, and other organisations, to further develop, coordinate and quality assure safeguarding policy, process, and practice within WMFS
• ensure that WMFS effectively discharges it’s safeguarding duty and that policy, process and practice is in responsibility
• give professional advice and guidance in relation to Safeguarding so that our staff and volunteers can effectively safeguard themselves and others.

Experience and skills

Skills and behaviours:

Our commitment to safeguarding within our communities remains a central focus.  We are looking for individuals with the skills to further develop and embed excellent safeguarding practice.  We are looking for candidates who bring the following skills:

• ability to take responsibility and make decisions at a strategic and operational level
• able to work on own initiative and to work in an autonomous environment but adapt to team working when required
• be self-motivated, persistent and can persuade and influence others to adopt new initiatives
• highly developed interpersonal skills including excellent verbal and written communication skills
• knowledge of local government and public sector governance and policy making structures
• able to demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development.

Qualifications and experience:

Ideally the applicant should have the following qualifications and experience:

• Relevant knowledge and experience of safeguarding, ideally as a Designated Safeguarding Lead or similar role
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and a robust understanding of good practice
• Experience of networking, partnership development, management, and evaluation
• Ideally a degree level qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent relevant role-related experience
• Supervisory experience
• Experience of developing strategy and plans.

Benefits

We offer a friendly working environment and benefits including:

• flexible and agile working arrangements
• free, on-site gym facilities
• free, on-site parking.

We also offer access to an in-house occupational health (OH) facility, including OH health and fitness advisors, sports therapists, physiotherapists, cognitive behavioural therapy practitioners and counsellors.

In addition, employees have access to:

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• wellbeing programmes
• ‘blue light’ discounts across many retailers, through partner schemes
• Sports and Welfare scheme (for a small fee), with access to discounted products and services.

Diversity

We welcome applications from all eligible candidates. However, as women and Black and minority ethnic employees are currently under-represented in our service, we particularly encourage applications from these groups.

WMFS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect the same of every staff member.

Successful candidates will be subject to necessary pre-employment checks, including – where applicable – relevant level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, qualifications, medical clearance, identity and right to work. All applicants will be required to provide two suitable references.

Questions

If you have any questions about the role, or would like an informal discussion, please contact Emily Fernandez on 07973 810510 or by email at emily.fernandez@wmfs.net