Safeguarding Officer
Role: Safeguarding Officer
District: Barnsley
Location: Wombwell
Salary: £27,747 - £30,468
Hours: 37
Contract Type: Temporary for 12 months
In this role you will assume the role of ‘Case Officer’ for all allocated Child Protection Conferences (CPC’s) reporting to the Local Referral Unit Manager & take personal responsibility for the CPC aspects of the case. You will also represent South Yorkshire Police at Child Protection Conferences, attend Strategy meetings & make decisions on behalf of SYP regarding Child Protection Plans.
Key responsibilities:
Assume responsibility as ‘Case Officer’ for all allocated Child Protection Conferences (CPCs) reporting to the Local Referral Unit Manager and take personal responsibility for the CPC aspects of the case whilst the child or children remain the subject of a child protection plan.
Represent SYP at Child Protection Conferences (as described by the South Yorkshire Child Protection Procedures’ and ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’) – Initial and Reviews, presenting SYP view and ensuring that Police attendance at CPC’s is optimised, prioritising attendance as necessary in consultation with the line manager.
Attend Strategy meetings.
Make decisions, on behalf of SYP, about the need for a child protection plan in the best’s interests of the child after having considered information shared at the conference by police and other agencies.
Challenge the views of other professionals, irrespective of status or organisation that are clearly inconsistent with SYP values and, in the opinion of the CPCLO, contrary to the child’s best interests and/or the interests of justice.
To immediately raise with line managers any issues where there remains concern for the safety of a child.
Review CPC minutes and quality assure actions arising from them.
For each CPC, ensure the CONNECT record is updated and maintained in accordance with CONNECT Operating procedures.
Skills and experience:
Experience of working in Child Protection.
Experience of working in a multi-agency environment.
Experience of attending and participating in meetings.
Experience in updating and interrogating computer systems.
Ability to compile reports.
Skills and experience as documented in the role profile need to be evidenced in your application to be considered for interview
For more detailed information relating to the role, skills and experience for this role, please click here to view the role profile
What we offer:
We offer generous entitlements and supportive policies to enable a better work-life balance, some of which are listed below:
- A highly competitive salary and access to a generous pension scheme
- Generous annual leave allowance
- A wide range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Flexible working arrangements including flexi-time and hybrid working
- A transparent and collaborative team culture underpinned by our core values of Fairness, Integrity & Trust
- Comprehensive range of development and leadership courses to develop your career with South Yorkshire Police
- Employee Assistant Programme (accessible 24/7) offering confidential support and advice
- Flexible lifestyle benefits such as: Blue Light Card, Company Shop, Cycle to work scheme
- Committed to embedding sustainability: South Yorkshire Police Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 (yhrn.police)
- Membership to the Sports and Social Club
- Access to a wide range of staff support groups and networks
Eligibility:
Applicants must meet the minimum requirement checkable history criteria, which must be taken into account for individuals applying to work with South Yorkshire Police in any capacity. A minimum checkable history of 5 years is required for this role and successfully undergoing recruitment vetting procedure is a pre-requisite of employment with South Yorkshire Police.
Appearance & Standards:
South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate. Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.
South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values:
At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do Fairness, Integrity & Trust, the attached document details the key behaviours we expect all employees to adhere to.
Smarter ways of Working:
South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables SYP to provide an outstanding service to the community.
There are 3 different categories as part of this which are: Fixed, Field and Hybrid.
This role has been evaluated as a hybrid role.
Hybrid: Applicable when the work can be undertaken at any location, whether that be a SYP building or from home.
The vetting level for this role is Management Vetting (MV). If successful your vetting will be reviewed and uplifted. For further information please contact the Vetting Unit on Force_Vetting_Unit@southyorks.pnn.police.uk
Contact details:
For further information about the role, please contact: Sgt Lucy Richardson on 01226 736203
Closing Date: 27th October 2025
Closing dates are not normally extended, other than in exceptional circumstances and agreement is made between the Talent Acquisition Manager and the Line Manager for the role.
How to apply:
Candidate Information:
Please note that, should you be successful at the interview stage and before appointment, the relevant pre-employment checks are required. These include references, medical clearance, vetting clearance and sickness absence criteria check.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Applications are particularly welcome from female and ethnic minority candidates.
It is really important to us that the department represents the community we serve, in order for us to provide the best service, utilising a range of backgrounds, experience and skills. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from these valuable underrepresented groups.
If you are from an underrepresented group and want to find out more about the support we can offer, please contact our dedicated team on positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk
In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours.
Internal Candidates:
This vacancy is temporary therefore, you must have the support of your current Line Manager to apply. If you are a permanent member of staff, this would be classed as a secondment opportunity. If you are on a fixed term contract, you must contact the Talent Acquisition Team before applying.
Please ensure that you and your current line manager complete the attached consent form. Please email the completed form to the hiring line manager, with the role title and the closing date stated in the subject of your email.
Without support, your application will not be considered any further.
Further Information:
This role is offered on a fixed-term basis in accordance with applicable employment legislation and South Yorkshire Police policy.
Fixed-term contracts are used where there is a genuine business need, such as project-based work, temporary cover or time-limited funding. The fixed term period is subject to change, linked to the posts requirements and may be subject to extension or early termination in line with appropriate notice period.
All fixed-term employees will receive equal treatment and access to opportunities in line with our commitment to fair and inclusive employment practices.
Where appropriate, fixed-term roles may be made permanent without the need for a further recruitment process.
Documents to Review:
For the Police Staff Recruitment Vetting Handbook - Please Click here
For Application Guidance and Tips - Please Click Here
For the FIT Values of South Yorkshire Police - Please Click Here
For Secondment Approval - Please Click Here
View our recruitment video: