Service Manager - Designated Safeguarding & Education Safeguarding in Cardiff, South Glamorgan

Job Title: Service Manager – Designated Safeguarding & Education Safeguarding
Specialism: Social Worker - Children
Location: Cardiff, UK
Salary: £49,818 - £52,951 per annum
Type: Full Time (Permanent)

We are seeking an exceptional individual to join Cardiff Council as a Service Manager – Designated Safeguarding & Education Safeguarding within Children's Services. This full-time permanent opportunity offers a competitive salary of £49,818 - £52,951 per annum and the chance to lead critical safeguarding functions across the city.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced safeguarding professional to provide leadership, oversight, and strategic direction across safeguarding services, ensuring effective partnership working and positive outcomes for children, young people, and vulnerable individuals. You will play a pivotal role in promoting safeguarding excellence throughout Cardiff while contributing to the ongoing development of high-quality services.

Perks and benefits

• Full Time Permanent Position: Enjoy the stability and security of a permanent leadership role.
• Competitive Salary: Earn between £49,818 and £52,951 per annum, recognising your expertise and leadership experience.
• Flexible Working: Benefit from modern and flexible working arrangements that support a healthy work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Access ongoing training, leadership development, and career progression opportunities.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Enjoy a range of employee benefits designed to support your wellbeing and professional success.
• Supportive Environment: Work within a collaborative and progressive organisation committed to continuous improvement.
• Meaningful Impact: Lead safeguarding initiatives that directly contribute to improving outcomes across Cardiff.

What you will do

• Lead and manage the Designated Officer for Safeguarding function for Cardiff Council, ensuring safeguarding concerns and allegations are managed effectively, lawfully, and within required timescales.
• Provide operational leadership for the Safeguarding and Reviewing Hub.
• Oversee the management of allegations against practitioners and individuals in positions of trust.
• Lead the Education Safeguarding Team, providing advice, support, challenge, and guidance to schools and educational settings.
• Coordinate and oversee professional concerns relating to safeguarding practice.
• Provide specialist safeguarding advice to employers, partner agencies, schools, and council services.
• Facilitate strategy discussions, professional meetings, and safeguarding decision-making processes.
• Contribute to Regional Safeguarding Board activities and multi-agency safeguarding initiatives.
• Monitor and manage service performance, ensuring high-quality safeguarding practice across all functions.
• Promote consistent application of safeguarding procedures and legislation across agencies.
• Support fair, transparent, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Maintain strong working relationships with education, social care, health, police, and other safeguarding partners.
• Deputise for the Operational Manager when required and contribute to service development and strategic planning.

Requirements

• Social Work Qualification: Degree or equivalent qualification in Social Work or a related safeguarding discipline.
• Professional Registration: Relevant professional registration where applicable.
• Safeguarding Leadership Experience: Significant experience managing safeguarding services and complex safeguarding processes.
• Education Safeguarding Knowledge: Strong understanding of safeguarding within educational settings.
• Legislative Expertise: Detailed knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and child protection procedures.
• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to manage teams, services, and multi-agency partnerships effectively.
• Communication Skills: Excellent report-writing, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Strategic Thinking: Experience contributing to service development, governance, and quality assurance frameworks.

Why Cardiff

Cardiff is a thriving capital city that combines rich history, cultural diversity, and modern living. Offering excellent transport links, outstanding leisure facilities, beautiful parks, and a vibrant waterfront, Cardiff provides an exceptional quality of life. With strong communities and a commitment to safeguarding and social care excellence, Cardiff is a fantastic place to develop your leadership career while making a meaningful difference to people's lives.

Working with Sanctuary Personnel

Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted and award-winning agency for roles. With an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews and many prestigious industry awards, we are dedicated to finding you the best possible rates in roles that match your skills and experience.

Apply now to join Cardiff Council as Service Manager – Designated Safeguarding & Education Safeguarding and take the next step in your leadership career with Sanctuary Personnel.