An exciting opportunity has arisen at Oaklands for a Student Advice & Safeguarding Officer to provide effective support, guidance and intervention for students, ensuring their personal, social and emotional needs are identified and appropriately met. This includes offering one‑to‑one support, signposting to internal and external services, and working proactively to remove barriers that may impact wellbeing, learning, attendance or engagement. By promoting a safe, inclusive and supportive environment, the role contributes directly to improved student retention, progress and overall success.

In this position, you will provide specialist advisory support on welfare matter, including financial assistance, mental health concerns and other safeguarding matters, with a particular focus on students identified as being at risk of non-achievement. Also, you will be responsible for ensuring students are signposted to relevant support agencies to ensure their pastoral needs are met. Previous experience advocating for Children and young People is essential, along with a commitment to providing a high-quality student experience

Key Responsibilities

· Provide specialist advisory support on welfare matters, including financial assistance, housing/accommodation needs, and mental health concerns, with a particular focus on students identified as being at risk of non‑achievement.

· Deliver casework support for students who are identified as vulnerable, at risk, or subject to potential or actual harm, ensuring appropriate interventions and follow‑up.

· Triage referrals to relevant internal teams and external agencies, ensuring timely, accurate, and effective signposting and escalation.

· Participate in a duty rota to monitor internal referrals and external communications received via the dedicated safeguarding email address, ensuring a prompt and appropriate response.

· Attend Strategy Meetings convened under Section 17 and Section 47 of the Children Act following information requests, contributing relevant information and supporting multi‑agency decision‑making.

· Attend Initial Child Protection Conferences (ICPCs) and all subsequent Core Group or Review Conferences where the case is adopted, ensuring accurate representation of the learner’s circumstances and the College’s involvement.

· Participate in regular supervision, engaging in reflective practice to ensure safe, effective, and accountable safeguarding decision‑making.

· Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant records of all student interventions, in line with College safeguarding procedures and data protection requirements.

· Support the Bursary Team in the assessment, processing, and awarding of financial support through the Learner Support Fund (LSF) and/or the College Free Meals Scheme, ensuring fair, evidence‑based decision‑making.

Is This You?

· Experience of working within an educational setting, providing pastoral support to children or young people.

· Strong and up-to-date understanding of Safeguarding in Education, including statutory guidance and best practice.

· Experience of advocating for vulnerable children or young people, ensuring their needs are identified and supported appropriately.

· Demonstrable experience of managing safeguarding disclosures, responding appropriately and in line with statutory guidance.

· Evidence of ongoing professional development relating to safeguarding, mental health, contextual safeguarding, or multi‑agency working.

· Experience of maintaining accurate case notes and safeguarding records, ideally using digital systems (e.g., CPOMS, MyConcern or similar).

· Awareness of emerging themes in safeguarding, such as exploitation, online harm, missing children, peer‑on‑peer abuse, and contextual safeguarding.

· Understanding of trauma-informed practice, de‑escalation approaches and barriers to engagement.

· Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and related applications.

Your Future Starts at Oaklands

At Oaklands College, we value our staff and are committed to your wellbeing and development. When you join us, you become part of a vibrant and forward-thinking team that supports innovation, creativity, and learner-centred teaching.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Generous holiday allowance – 30 days plus bank holidays.

• Local Government Pension Scheme with excellent employer contributions.

• Ongoing CPD and free access to Adult Community Learning courses.

• Free onsite permit parking.

• Onsite gym at St Albans Campus and wellness treatments at discounted rates.

• Cycle to Work Scheme and discounted travel through UNO Bus Scheme.

• Eye care vouchers and employee assistance programme.

• Mental health and wellbeing support, including peer supporters.

• Staff development days and annual awards celebrating your achievements.

Oaklands College is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and we actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and stakeholders to share this commitment.

We review applications on a rolling basis and may close this advert early if we receive high interest. Don’t miss your opportunity to join a college that’s shaping futures and transforming lives.

Want to know more about Oaklands College? Click here