Safeguarding Specialist – NFCC

Job Title: Safeguarding Specialist 

Contract Type: Permanent 

Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 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 NFCCs Safeguarding products, guidance and services, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and meet end user requirements and needs. 

Key responsibilities: 

• You will provide subject matter expertise in relation to Safeguarding matters. You will provide FRS’ with expert support and advice, helping them to embed safeguarding into organisational culture. 

• You will provide insight, support and positive challenge on current and emerging issues in Safeguarding, that can be fed into the NFCC.

• You will 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, taking a lead role in both the evidence gathering process and developing the final outcomes.

• In collaboration with colleagues across the NFCC, its membership and other stakeholders, you will design, coordinate, deliver and evaluate high quality safeguarding products, including training, which support FRSs to enable organisational change.

• You will be responsible for coordinating, monitoring and reporting progress in relation to Safeguarding. 

• You will design, deliver and evaluate high quality training to support Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment practices across the sector.

• Using a range of evidence and data sources, you will be responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of PCL tools, products and guidance, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and take appropriate action, so they continue to meet user needs.

• You will contribute to maintaining the NFCCs reputation as sector leaders in Safeguarding through representation at external events, external publications, and contributing to external communications.

• You will develop and build successful working relationships with relevant stakeholders, establishing new subject matter groups where required.

• You will provide safeguarding support and advice internally to the NFCC.

• You will have an active role in supporting the NFCC’s approach to improving FRS culture, providing advice and guidance in relation to Safeguarding matters, and taking responsibility for delivering associated activities.

• Where appropriate, you will deputise for the Head of PCL Hub and the Head of Prevention Hub. You will also provide cover, as appropriate and necessary, for other PCL Specialists.

• You may be required to line manage or supervise staff within the PCL Hub, where appropriate, for the purposes of delivering Safeguarding activities.

The successful candidate will have: 

• Proven professional qualifications, knowledge and experience in Social Care combined with extensive experience and expertise of translating process and practice through the practical application of strategies, plans and policies. 

• 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. 

• Demonstrable experience of delivering and facilitating training for level 4 and above for Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment.  

• Demonstrable evidence of Safeguarding board attendance at local authority level, or equivalent. 

• Demonstrate a good understanding and relevant experience of supporting colleague health and wellbeing to bring about positive cultural change. 

• Experience of leading, managing and motivating teams and improving performance.  

• A track record of influencing and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.  

• Have an 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 below. CV’s 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 and 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.