Safeguarding Officer

Help us achieve our vision that fewer people die by suicide.

Do you have experience of safeguarding work perhaps gained in a paid or voluntary position? Are you a good listener and keen to work for an Organisation with People at the heart of everything they do?

We're looking for an experienced and compassionate Safeguarding Officer to join the Branch & Volunteer Services team in the UK. In this crucial role you'll help drive forwards our safeguarding practices through the provision of expert advice, guidance and support to volunteers and staff. This is an opportunity to play a vital role in protecting vulnerable people while helping to embed a strong safeguarding culture throughout Samaritans.

If you are an excellent communicator with experience of safeguarding work, and you'd like to work for our life saving organisation then please consider applying.

Contract terms:

• £35,000 - £37,000 (FTE) per annum, plus benefits
• Fixed Term (2 years)
• 35 hours per week (full time)
• We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences
• Hybrid - remote working with regular in-person working including visits to Central Office in Ewell as required.
• We value meeting in person and working collaboratively (approximately 2 days per month)
• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

What you'll be doing:

• Providing expert safeguarding advice and guidance on complex cases.
• Managing safeguarding referrals and working with external agencies where needed.
• Supporting volunteers and colleagues to respond effectively to safeguarding concerns.
• Contributing to investigations, case reviews and serious incident management.
• Building strong relationships across branches and teams to promote best practice.
• Helping to maintain and develop safeguarding policies, procedures and training.

What you'll bring:

• Experience of safeguarding children, young people and/or adults at risk.
• Good knowledge of UK safeguarding legislation and best practice.
• Experience managing complex or sensitive cases and making sound decisions.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with others.
• Emotional resilience, empathy and a practical, solutions-focused approach.
• A safeguarding or related professional qualification (desirable)

For full details, please see the Job Description and Person Specification

Why Samaritans?

At Samaritans, you'll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission. You'll be part of a collaborative and supportive team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.

We offer flexible hybrid working, great benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland. To find out more about Samaritans, please read our recruitment brochure.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the people we support and who support us. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels seen, heard and supported, at all levels of the organisation.

Apply now

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we'd love for you to apply. You will be asked to answer some short application questions and to upload your CV and cover letter outlining your safeguarding experiences and how you meet the person specification.

If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Applications close: 9am Friday 6th November

Interviews

1st stage interviews (in person): Tuesday 24th November

First stage interviews will take place in our Ewell office (The Upper Mill, Kingston Road, Ewell, Surrey, KT17 2AF).

2nd stage (online): Tuesday 1st December

For the second stage we will ask to prepare a short presentation; details will be sent after successful 1st interview.

At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do.

We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team.

We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through. We recognise that some candidates may use assistive technology or tools to help with accessibility, structure or grammar.