Safeguarding Officer

RABI supports farming people across England, Wales and NI with expert one-to-one practical, financial and emotional help all year round, from confidential advice and mental health support to direct financial assistance, tailored to the challenges of farming life.

RABI is committed to strengthening resilience, helping farming people feel valued, supported and better equipped to navigate change, closing the farming wellbeing gap and building a future where farming people can thrive.

Over the past 25 years RABI has delivered more than £250 million in direct financial support, and its counselling service has provided 11,500 free sessions since 2022. Support continues to evolve, reaching more people year on year.

RABI is on a journey to help shape a future farmers deserve.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Safeguarding Officer delivers high-quality operational safeguarding across RABI, ensuring concerns involving beneficiaries are managed consistently, professionally and in line with legislation, statutory guidance and policy.

As one of two Safeguarding Officers, you will advise and support colleagues across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, managing concerns from notification to resolution, undertaking risk assessments, coordinating activity, maintaining accurate records and supporting multi-agency working. Working closely with the Safeguarding Manager, the second Officer and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you will help improve practice and maintain a resilient service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Operational Safeguarding

• Work with the Safeguarding Manager and DSL to develop and embed safeguarding practice, promoting professional curiosity and reflective practice.
• Act as an operational point of contact for staff, volunteers and partners, advising on concerns and escalating complex or high-risk matters.
• Manage concerns from notification to resolution — assessed, risk managed, recorded and progressed in line with legislation, guidance and RABI policy — undertaking risk assessments supporting proportionate, person-centred and defensible decisions.
• Provide delegated Deputy DSL cover when the DSL and both Deputy DSLs are absent, in line with RABI policy and delegated authority.

2. Professional Advice and Guidance

• Advise and support Regional Support Officers, managers, staff and volunteers to recognise concerns, understand their responsibilities and apply procedures consistently, building confidence in practice.
• Support the Safeguarding Manager in developing and delivering training, awareness sessions and guidance, engaging staff and volunteers to embed a positive safeguarding culture.

3. Case Management, Recording and Information Management

• Maintain administration, quality assurance and oversight of records in RABI's case management system, ensuring information is accurate, timely and compliant, and support colleagues with recording queries.
• Produce clear, evidence-based documentation and reporting, including data, trends and case detail for the Safeguarding Manager's monthly, quarterly and annual reports, upholding information governance.
• Identify emerging themes, trends and learning to drive continuous improvement, monitoring activity to ensure agreed actions are completed appropriately and on time.

4. Partnership Working

• Build and maintain relationships with statutory and voluntary partners, including Adult and Children's Social Care, Police, Health, Mental Health and Domestic Abuse Services and counselling providers.
• Coordinate referrals and information sharing, ensuring they are timely, appropriate and well evidenced, and represent RABI in multi-agency discussions.
• Keep knowledge of safeguarding legislation, guidance, best practice and referral pathways across England, Wales and NI current, engaging with professional networks and partners.

5. Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement

• Champion safeguarding across all departments, and maintain relationships with internal teams including Volunteering, Partnerships, Fundraising and Campaigns, advising on new initiatives.
• Manage referrals into RABI's counselling provision to agreed service standards, and support the management and monitoring of RABI's StaySafe lone working system.
• Facilitate safeguarding supervision with Regional Support Officers and Managers as agreed, and work with colleagues to maintain continuity during absence or peak demand.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the responsibilities and grading of the role.

Decision Making and Autonomy

You will manage a varied caseload, using professional judgement within legislation, guidance and policy to assess concerns, determine actions and coordinate interventions independently, working closely with the Safeguarding Manager, second Safeguarding Officer, Regional Support Officers and Service Delivery colleagues. Concerns carrying significant organisational, legal or reputational risk are escalated to the Safeguarding Manager, who retains strategic leadership, policy development, assurance, resource and line management.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

• Degree level education, or equivalent knowledge and experience gained through professional practice.
• A recognised safeguarding qualification or evidence of substantial relevant training.
• Commitment to CPD, keeping knowledge of legislation, guidance and best practice up to date.
• Willingness to undertake further training appropriate to the role.
• Specialist safeguarding qualifications or accredited training.
• Mental Capacity Act, Domestic Abuse, MARAC, Prevent, suicide prevention or trauma-informed practice training.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and best practice for adults and children.
• Safeguarding principles, risk assessment, information sharing, multi-agency working and the roles of statutory partners.
• Professional boundaries, confidentiality, consent and information governance.
• Practice in complex family situations, domestic abuse, mental ill health, self-neglect, exploitation and substance misuse.
• Equality, diversity, inclusion and the impact of discrimination on vulnerability.
• Safeguarding arrangements across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Safeguarding within charities or community-based services.
• Issues affecting farming and rural communities.

Experience - Essential

• Managing safeguarding concerns in a professional setting, undertaking risk assessments and making defensible decisions.
• Advising and guiding colleagues on safeguarding.
• Working collaboratively with statutory agencies and partners.
• Maintaining accurate, confidential and legally compliant case records.
• Managing competing priorities in a busy operational environment.
• Voluntary or charity sector experience.
• Coordinating safeguarding referrals.
• Contributing to safeguarding training or awareness programmes.
• Using electronic case management or CRM systems.
• Supporting organisational service improvement.

Skills and Abilities - Essential

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, working effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds and producing clear, accurate reports.
• Able to build positive, credible relationships with colleagues and external partners.
• Strong analytical skills, assessing complex information, identifying risk and making timely, evidence-based decisions that balance risk, guidance and organisational responsibility.
• Strong organisational skills, prioritising competing demands, managing a varied workload and handling sensitive, confidential information appropriately.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.

Skills and Abilities - Desirable

• Delivering presentations or training.
• Analysing safeguarding data and identifying emerging themes.
• Contributing to policy or procedural development.

Personal Attributes

You will bring integrity, professionalism and ethical judgement; empathy and respect for beneficiaries' dignity; resilience in emotionally demanding situations; professional curiosity; confidence to challenge constructively; commitment to collaborative working and continuous learning; a proactive approach to problem-solving; and flexibility as priorities change.

Additional Requirements

• Enhanced DBS clearance.
• Full UK driving licence, access to a vehicle, and flexibility to travel throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland as required.
• Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, equality and professional standards.

This role profile is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the postholder, as per future developments at RABI.

BENEFITS:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (based on full-time working).
• Enrolment to Nest on joining, then the opportunity to join RABI's group pension scheme with Standard Life, where RABI contributes 10% of basic salary if you contribute 5%.
• Life assurance from day one.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Support with personal and professional development.

RABI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices secure equality of opportunity, and no employee or applicant receives less favourable treatment because of sex, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, belief, ethnic origin, disability, marital status or any other unjustifiable reason. Selection is based solely on relevant skills, experience, qualifications and abilities.

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