Safeguarding Lead

This permanent, full-time role has a starting salary of £42,239 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.

We are excited to be hiring a new Safeguarding Lead to join our fantastic Assessment Consultation Therapy (ACT) Team based in Woking, Surrey.

This position is open to hybrid working and as part of ACT you will split your time between working remotely and collaborating together in the Woking office for three days per week.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About the Role

Assessment Consultation Therapy (ACT) is a specialist therapeutic service provided by Surrey that works directly with young children and adolescents who present and display with harmful sexualised behaviour. Our aim is to support and provide treatment for children and their families, via a therapeutic and cognitive approach, listening to understand how and why they maybe behaving or feeling the way they do.

We are a supportive and close-knit team, working from our dedicated office in Woking, where we undertake direct assessments on site with our children and young people. The nature of the work we do means there are opportunities to work holistically and collaboratively with colleagues across various professional networks. We also have on site access to our ACT Team Manager, meaning that you will be well-supported with your work, with plenty of opportunities for expanding your knowledge.

We have a strong culture that emphasises growth, development and recognition. You will be working in an environment where each individual contribution is genuinely valued, and the supportive nature of the team fosters a deep sense of camaraderie and motivation. As a team we create an ideal space for collaboration and continued learning, where ideas flow freely, and feedback is constructive and encouraging.

A typical day as our Safeguarding Lead in the ACT team will include:

• Overseeing the referral pathway into ACT
• Writing reports
• Actively participating in Strategy and Multi-Agency meetings, as well as Case Conferences and Child in Need meetings
• Providing training and consultancy to our wider network; empowering professionals to effectively manage presenting behaviours and mitigate risks
• Contributing to the production of quarterly and annual reports

Your application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• You are an experienced and empathetic Social Worker with a strong background in child protection
• You hold a Social Work qualification such as a Degree, Masters or Post Graduate Diploma and are registered with Social Work England
• You have extensive knowledge and understanding of the risk factors associated with sexually harmful behaviour
• You are proficient in assessing and managing referrals & planning and coordinating enquiries
• You have proven experience in leading consultations
• You have a willingness and ability to travel across the county to meet the demands of the role

To apply, we request that you submit a CV, and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

• Please describe a time when you identified significant safeguarding concerns for a child or young person. Please include what action you took, how you assessed risk, and what the outcome was.
• Please describe a safeguarding incident you have managed from start to finish. What steps did you take, how did you ensure timely and appropriate information sharing and what did you learn from it?
• Please describe a situation where you led or significantly contributed to a multi-agency meeting (e.g., Strategy Meeting, Child Protection Conference). How did you ensure effective information sharing and decision making?
• Safeguarding work can be emotionally demanding. How do you reflect on your practice and maintain resilience, objectivity and good decision making under pressure?

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 29.03.2026 with interviews planned to follow.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.