Volunteer Safeguarding Lead - Volunteer

Strengthen S.W.U.G.'s safeguarding arrangements as its planned School Edition youth work develops. Advise on safer recruitment, child protection and readiness before any youth-facing delivery begins. Hybrid, with Portsmouth knowledge strongly preferred. What difference will you make? A reliable safeguarding function will give S.W.U.G. clear routes for concerns and safer recruitment, help volunteers understand boundaries and support the preparation of School Edition. Youth-facing delivery will only proceed when the necessary safeguarding and operational controls are in place. What are we looking for? Essential at least three years of professional experience in safeguarding responsibilities relevant to children and young people, gained in paid or voluntary work; strong judgement and professional boundaries; confidence handling sensitive information; clear communication; willingness to challenge unsafe practice; understanding of child protection and safer recruitment. Desirable DSL/DDSL, education, youth work, social care, charity safeguarding or similar experience; safeguarding training at an appropriate level; knowledge of DBS and regulated activity. Hybrid What will you be doing? Provide S.W.U.G.'s designated internal safeguarding point once formally appointed and inducted. Maintain procedures, confidential concern records and escalation routes; advise the CEO and delivery leads before youth-facing activity begins; support safer recruitment, role-based DBS eligibility assessment, references and safeguarding induction. Recognise, record and refer concerns appropriately, liaise with school safeguarding contacts and external agencies where authorised or required, and review School Edition plans, risk controls and volunteer boundaries. Recommend policy or training updates and promote a culture where concerns can be raised. This role provides advice, oversight, recording and escalation. It does not replace statutory agencies or school safeguarding duties. The Lead can raise concerns directly with the CEO and recommend that unsafe activity does not proceed; they must follow reporting requirements, cannot promise absolute confidentiality for disclosures and cannot conduct criminal investigations. Essential at least three years of professional experience in safeguarding responsibilities relevant to children and young people, gained in paid or voluntary work. Precise DBS eligibility and level depend on final duties and frequency; appropriate references, checks and induction precede relevant activity. School Edition is in preparation; no school is confirmed for delivery.