How To Become a Safeguarding Officer in a School

In this blog, you will learn:

• What a Safeguarding Officer is.  
• The training required to become a Safeguarding Officer.  
• How to gain experience for a safeguarding role.  
• Key skills needed to be an effective Safeguarding Officer.  
• Where the latest education jobs are and how to apply for them.  

If you’re passionate about making a difference in children’s lives, becoming a Safeguarding Officer can be a highly rewarding career path to take. Safeguarding Officers play a huge role in protecting children from harm, abuse and neglect and ensuring they feel safe and supported at school. 

To become a Safeguarding Officer in a school, you will need to take part in safeguarding training, gain hands-on experience working with children and possess key skills such as communication and problem solving to ensure you can safeguard children effectively. 

Throughout this blog, we’ll uncover everything you need to know about becoming a Safeguarding Officer in a school including how to gain experience and the key skills that will help you succeed in this rewarding role. 

What is a Safeguarding Officer?

A Safeguarding Officer is a professional responsible for protecting children and young people from harm, abuse and neglect. They are the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns and play an important role in ensuring all actions are taken to protect students from safeguarding issues. 

Safeguarding Officers hold many responsibilities around a school including evaluating potential risks and identifying situations where individuals may need protection. They also offer support to individuals who have been harmed and liaise with other professionals to ensure safeguarding efforts are coordinated effectively. Safeguarding Officers ensure that the school follows all safeguarding laws and assist in putting into practice the school's safeguarding policies and procedures.

What training is required to become a Safeguarding Officer?

To become a Safeguarding Officer in a school, you will need to take part in level 1, 2 and 3 safeguarding training. This training introduces the basics of safeguarding and covers how to identify, report and manage safeguarding concerns effectively. 

You may also need to complete courses in more specific areas such as child protection, safer recruitment and safeguarding legislation to strengthen your knowledge. It is also a requirement for Safeguarding Officers to refresh their training regularly, usually every two years, to stay updated with the latest guidance. 

How to gain experience for a Safeguarding role

To gain experience for a safeguarding role, you could take part in a safeguarding apprenticeship where you will gain hands-on experience in recognising concerns, responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns and understanding relevant legislation and policies. You could also volunteer at places working with vulnerable adults or children such as charities or community groups.

Divisional Manager, Jamie Heath said “The experience you gain working with children and young people shapes you as a Safeguarding Officer. It’s not just about ticking the boxes, it’s about seeing the difference you can make in a child’s life and knowing you’ve protected them from harm and made them feel safe.”

What are the key skills needed to be an effective Safeguarding Officer?

To be an effective Safeguarding Officer in a school, you need to have strong communication and active listening skills to engage with individuals facing harm and understand the issues they’re experiencing. 

Empathy is crucial, as being able to recognise the challenges and feelings of vulnerable individuals allows you to build trust and offer the right support. Strong organisational skills are also important as you will often work under pressure and must be able to manage your time and responsibilities effectively. 

Problem solving is another key skill as addressing safeguarding concerns often requires you to find appropriate solutions quickly and sensitively. Patience and analytical skills are key, as you will need to assess situations carefully, gather and interpret information accurately and make informed decisions to ensure all students are safe from harm, abuse or neglect. 

Who can be a Safeguarding Officer?

Anyone who is committed to protecting children from harm, abuse and neglect can become a Safeguarding Officer. In most cases, Safeguarding Officers come from teaching backgrounds however it is not essential that you have teaching experience. 

Safeguarding Officers are typically expected to have experience working with children or young people, either in schools, youth work or social care settings, have a strong understanding of safeguarding or be willing to complete the required training and demonstrate strong communication and record-keeping skills.

How much does a Safeguarding Officer earn?

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Safeguarding Officer in the UK is £29,000 a year. With that being said, the salary can vary due to factors such as experience, location, skills and the type of school.

Teaching jobs

If you’re searching for your next teaching job, why not take a look at the latest teaching vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.

Recruit teaching staff

As a specialist education recruitment agency, we support mainstream and SEND schools with their temporary, permanent and temp-perm staffing needs. 

We currently work with hundreds of schools and have exclusive access to some of the best Teachers and Teaching Assistants in the North West.

If you’re struggling to fill a teaching vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?

• Primary schools - Jimmy Callagher 
• Secondary schools - Liam Jones
• SEND schools - Jamie Heath

Meet Jamie Heath

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. 

In 2024, we were named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, an accolade we are extremely proud of.