Safeguarding Lead

Job Title: Safeguarding Lead

Team: People and Culture

Location: Hybrid (split between home-working and either London, Cardiff or Edinburgh)

This role sits within a pay grade with a pay range of £19,437 to £29,156 (£32,395 to £48,593 FTE). The salary on appointment will be set at the lower end of the pay range, to a maximum of £21,381 (£35,635 FTE) depending on the candidate's skills and experience. This approach aims to ensure fair compensation for new hires while maintaining alignment with the structured pay scale for the role.

It s an exciting time to join the Ramblers as we have recently refreshed our strategy to support the delivery of our long-term ambitions.

We need your drive, knowledge, skills, and creativity to help us raise awareness of the Ramblers and what we stand for, enabling the charity to grow its supporter base and open up the joys and wellbeing benefits of walking to many more people.

Context and purpose of role

This role is responsible for ensuring the safeguarding of all individuals involved with the charity, including members, beneficiaries, staff, and volunteers. The role involves developing, implementing, and monitoring safeguarding policies and procedures, providing training, and responding to safeguarding concerns and incidents. The role works to create a safe and supportive environment, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and best practices.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for safeguarding concerns and queries, providing advice and support to staff, volunteers, trustees and beneficiaries.

• Develop, review, and implement safeguarding policies and procedures in accordance with legal requirements and best practices, and ensure policies are effectively communicated and accessible to all staff, volunteers and stakeholders.

• Conduct and support the undertaking of regular risk assessments to identify potential safeguarding risks within the organisation.

• Work with teams across the organisation to develop and implement risk management strategies and controls to mitigate identified risks.

• Monitor and review risk management strategies to ensure they remain current and relevant.

• Provide guidance and support to staff and volunteers to promote understanding of safeguarding issues and practices and ensure compliance with policies and procedures.

• Handle and investigate safeguarding concerns and incidents promptly and sensitively, managing the investigation process from end to end.

• Support investigations into member conduct and where relevant.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of safeguarding cases, ensuring compliance with data protection laws.

• Ensure the organisation complies with all relevant safeguarding legislation, regulations, and standards.

• Prepare and submit safeguarding reports to key stakeholders, including key performance indicators and learning outcomes.

• Use the organisation s reportable events framework to notify the Head of Governance and Chief of Staff of any reportable events, especially those which may qualify as serious incidents requiring reporting to the Charity Commission or other regulatory body.

• Collaborate with external agencies, such as social services and law enforcement, as necessary.

• Monitor the effectiveness of safeguarding policies and procedures, identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.

• Develop and maintain emergency response plans to ensure swift and appropriate action in safeguarding emergencies.

• Promote a culture of safeguarding across the organisation, emphasising the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals.

Impact

All safeguarding matters are managed in one place and handled efficiently, sensitively, and in accordance with established policies and regulations. Staff and volunteers across the organisation are confident in how to respond to safeguarding concerns and member and supporter trust in the organisation is enhanced.

Other

• Undertake such other duties as may be reasonably required of the post
• Engage and proactively develop excellent working relationships across the organisation.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policies, and best practices.
• Knowledge of risk assessment and management principles.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Empathy and resilience in handling sensitive and challenging issues.

• Effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient in conducting risk assessments and developing safeguarding procedures.
• High level of organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
• Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite and Customer Relationship Management systems.

Experience

• A professional background in safeguarding and experience in safeguarding case management.
• Significant experience in developing and implementing effective safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Experience in training and mentoring others on safeguarding issues.

Personal Attributes

• Empathetic and compassionate, with a commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of all individuals.
• Detail-oriented and methodical in approach.
• High level of integrity and ethical standards.
• Proactive and resourceful, with a positive and resilient attitude.
• Strong sense of accountability and responsibility.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Assertive in addressing safeguarding issues and enforcing policies.
• Confident in addressing difficult issues and making tough decisions.

Values and Behaviours

Our values are the core principles that guide us daily in our work and our membership of the Ramblers. We all share the passion that walking is for everyone and by living our shared values we can ensure the Ramblers is an organisation to be proud of. Our values will earn trust for the Ramblers brand which will allow us to open up a world of walking opportunities for even more people.

Inclusive

We make everyone feel welcome and part of the Ramblers community. We make sure we all feel respected and accepted and know our contributions make a difference in achieving our mission.

Inspiring

We strive to inspire people through the way we act and the things we say. We channel our passion and ambition so others are moved to help us achieve our mission.

Empowering

We empower and encourage each other to make a positive contribution to our teams and the Ramblers. We do all we can to make sure everyone has the ability, and feels confident, to take action.

Responsible

We take responsibility for ourselves and those around us seriously, by always acting in a safe and supportive way. We care about the environment and make sure we do what we say we will do.