You will act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and share responsibility for the strategic development of our safeguarding practices.
Do not pass up this chance, apply quickly if your experience and skills match what is in the following description.
We are currently working with a hybrid working model, where there is the option of working from home combined with 4-12 days a month of working in the office.
About this role
Young people are at the sharp end of a mental health crisis that gets worse every day. With the lasting effects of a global pandemic, political instability, cultural shifts and global crises, life for young people has become more unpredictable and difficult. It’s no exaggeration to say that we’re experiencing a young people’s mental health emergency.
YoungMinds stands alongside young people, facing that emergency together and, despite the challenges, they’re doing so with hope and optimism. Our passionate team cares deeply about making a difference for and with young people, and we are building an organisational culture which has young people and safeguarding at its centre.
And that’s where you come in.
The YoungMinds’ approach to safeguarding embraces a ‘culture of care’ which supports and promotes wellbeing and encourages resilience and the prevention of harm. We believe that our staff, volunteers, and consultants have both an individual and organisational responsibility for safeguarding. We aim to embed a safeguarding ethos and practice which is both proactive and responsive towards issues of safety and wellbeing.
Our safeguarding approach is founded on three key principles. It is:
1. Anti-racism, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion focused
We’re looking for an empathic, compassionate and experienced safeguarding professional with excellent interpersonal skills and a passion for co-creating in an environment in which young people can safely participate and shape the decisions that impact their lives. You’ll be open, calm and inspiring, with a track record of working collaboratively with people who are passionate about social change and mental health.
YoungMinds are committed to ensuring that they better represent the young people who need them most at all levels within the organisation and actively encourage applications from Black and minoritised applicants. We also warmly welcome job share applications and are open to discussions about flexible working arrangements.
To be successful in this role you will need the following:
* experience and confidence in assessing and mitigating safeguarding risks, providing advice and guidance to colleagues and making decisions and external referrals in response to safeguarding concerns and incidents
* experience of delivering safeguarding training in different formats
* ability to manage difficult conversations and appropriately challenge poor practice in relation to work with children, young people and adults at risk
* ability to cope with an emotionally demanding workload, remain calm and empathetic and respond appropriately to anxiety, confusion, distress and anger
* ability to assess a wide variety safeguarding risks relating to children, young people and adults at risk and make independent and objective safeguarding decisions
* ability to accurately assess risk and make time-sensitive, evidence-based decisions, sometimes in emotional and upsetting situations
* a comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation and guidance documents
YoungMinds are at a very exciting point in its growth and development. You will join a committed, lively team working together for positive change in children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
We welcome applications from Black and minoritised, LGBTQ+ groups and those with disabilities, as they are currently under-represented. For more information about the role, download our job pack.
One of our values is: “We celebrate what makes you you – whoever you are, we welcome you and encourage you to be true to yourself”.
If you are excited about helping us to achieve our mission, passionate about working at an organisation that puts the lived experience of young people at the heart of everything we do and want to be part of our drive to become a truly anti-racist organisation we want to hear from you.
We want to see a world where every young person who is struggling feels able to reach out, and has people and services around them who can really help.
#J-18808-Ljbffr