Safeguarding Support Officer Level 3

The Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship is designed to develop individuals who support statutory safeguarding responsibilities and help organisations protect individuals’ health, wellbeing and human rights. Anyone completing this programme will enable children, young people, and adults to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect, with a strong focus on preventative safeguarding and early intervention.

Find out more below & register your interest today.

Duration: 14 months + EPACourse Fee Information
Safeguarding Support Officer Level 3

Overview

Safeguarding Support Officers operate across a wide range of public, private, and voluntary sector settings, working alongside Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs). They act as a first point of contact for safeguarding concerns, completing initial risk assessments, triaging information, maintaining accurate records, and signposting or referring cases appropriately within multi agency frameworks.

Safeguarding support officers will be skilled in recognising and responding to emerging safeguarding needs, initiating and advocating for early intervention when concerns first arise. They will have a strong understanding of key legislation and relevant processes to help prevent children, young people, and adults with care and support needs from requiring referral into safeguarding services.

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Duration:14 months + EPA
Standard and Level:Safeguarding Support Officer Level 3 Standard
Entry requirements:
This course is aimed at those working in medium to large employers to advise, guide and supervise learners of all ages, and all levels, to develop within a new work role. In this role a learner should work with providers and colleagues to plan and implement structured learning and relevant work experience, review learners’ progress and evidence achievement, and liaise with relevant colleagues to support learners’ action plans.
Employers may also provide additional entry criteria.
Learners aged 18 who do not have exemptions will still be required to achieve Level 2 Functional Skills.  

 
Learners over 19 will have the option to either opt in or out of Functional Skills training and examinations. For those who choose to opt out, Fareport remains committed to supporting all learners in developing their literacy and numeracy skills by embedding these essential topics within the curriculum and assessments of the apprenticeship.  

To be eligible for an Apprenticeship you (or the apprentice) must:

  • Be living and working in England
  • Be 16 years old or above
  • Have the legal right to work in the UK
  • Have maintained UK residency for the last 3 years
  • Be employed in a real job; they may be an existing employee or a new hire
  • Work towards achieving an approved apprenticeship standard or framework
  • Work at least 30 hours a week
  • Be able to commit to the apprenticeship and its requirements
  • Not hold a prior qualification at the same or higher level in the same subject area
  • Not undertake or benefit from DfE funding during their apprenticeship programme, including Student Loans.
  • Have apprenticeship training and employment that lasts at least 12 months.
Cost:Fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or 95% government-funded for eligible employers, with minimal contribution required.

Knowledge


Knowledge (K) – The theoretical understanding an apprentice needs to perform their role effectively. This includes industry-specific principles, regulations, and best practices.

  • K1: Principles of safeguarding and how to respond to safeguarding concerns within own scope of practice and organisational protocol
  • K2: Methods for person-centred communication.
  • K3: How to offer safeguarding advice based on legislation, working in remit of own role.
  • K4: The priority and recommended course of action of different safeguarding concerns based on local and national guidance.
  • K5: Ways of tailoring responses to safeguarding cases to suit the individuals views, feelings and cultural influences.
  • K6: When and how to escalate complex cases to senior staff in line with local policy and procedures.
  • K7: Local policy and procedures relating to safeguarding allegations against staff, including whistleblowing, and how to report allegations whilst maintaining confidentiality.
  • K8: Ways to use, record and store paper based, digital data and information securely, in line with local and national policies and procedures.
  • K9: When and how to share data and information in a safeguarding context, in line with local and national policy and procedures.
  • K10: Data sources available to inform safeguarding decisions, in line with local policy and procedures.
  • K11: Ways to maintain accurate and up to date safeguarding logs and registers through the use of digital and paper systems in line with local and national policy and procedures.
  • K12: Local safeguarding escalation pathways.
  • K13: Types of concerns and mechanisms for reporting incidents.
  • K14: Referral processes and local well-being services for individuals and staff.
  • K15: How to make a comprehensive and accurate referral to children or adult social care.
  • K16: Safeguarding legislation, local and national policies, procedures and codes of conduct that apply to own role.
  • K17: How to link safeguarding theory to practice.
  • K18: Ways to support the management of safeguarding caseloads working together within the wider team.
  • K19: The safeguarding process from when a safeguarding concern is raised to the end outcome.
  • K20: Different communication styles and approaches to suit the needs of individuals views, feelings and cultural influences.
  • K21: Principles of reflective practice and peer support related to safeguarding cases and concerns within scope of own role.
  • K22: Published local and national safeguarding reviews and how they can be applied to practice.
  • K23: Legislative safeguarding training requirements and how to deliver training content to stakeholders using different teaching and learning approaches.
  • K24: Principles of safeguarding inspections, reviews and audits.
  • K25: Methods of collating evidence to prepare for external safeguarding inspections, reviews and audits.
  • K26: How to interpret the results of inspections, reviews and audits to apply feedback to practice.
  • K27: The importance of continuous professional development and identifying and evaluating own learning and development needs.
  • K28: Models of safeguarding supervision and how to prepare and access supervision.
  • K29: How safeguarding can impact on own wellbeing and personal safety.
  • K30: Principles in supporting colleagues to follow safeguarding policy and procedures.
  • K31: Principles of safeguarding culture, safeguarding supervision and compassionate care.

You can view the standard here.

Skills


Skills (S) – The practical abilities developed through training and hands-on experience. These are the technical and transferable skills required for the job.

  • S1: Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns within role and responsibilities.
  • S2: Use person-centred communication.
  • S3: Use safeguarding legislation and organisational policies and procedures to advise colleagues on safeguarding matters.
  • S4: Triage and prioritise safeguarding concerns.
  • S5: Recommend courses of action in relation to safeguarding concerns.
  • S6: Tailor safeguarding responses to suit the individuals views, feelings and cultural influences.
  • S7: Escalate cases to senior staff in accordance with local policy and procedures.
  • S8: Report allegations about staff in line with local policies and procedures, whilst maintaining confidentiality.
  • S9: Use, record and store paper based and digital data and information securely and in line with local and national policies and procedures.
  • S10: Share data and information in a safeguarding context in line with local and national policy and procedures.
  • S11: Collate and use data to create reports to inform safeguarding meetings, processes and audits.
  • S12: Maintain accurate and up-to-date safeguarding logs and registers through the use of digital or paper systems in line with local and national policy and procedures.
  • S13: Identify when decisions are not in an individuals best interest and escalate concerns within scope of own role using the local safeguarding escalation pathway.
  • S14: Recognise and report incidents to own organisation.
  • S15: Provide emotional and practical support to internal and external stakeholders during safeguarding work.
  • S16: Support and supervise internal and external stakeholders to make multi-agency referrals.
  • S17: Apply safeguarding legislation, local and national policies, procedures and codes of conduct to safeguarding practice within own role.
  • S18: Apply safeguarding theory to practice.
  • S19: Work together within the wider team to plan and manage safeguarding caseloads.
  • S20: Comply with the safeguarding process when a safeguarding concern is raised in line with organisational policy.
  • S21: Use communication styles and approaches to suit the needs of individuals.
  • S22: Reflect on own performance within a group environment with other colleagues to inform best safeguarding practice.
  • S23: Embed lessons learned from local and national safeguarding reviews to practice.
  • S24: Assist with the delivery of safeguarding training to stakeholders in accordance with safeguarding training frameworks to ensure stakeholders achieve desired learning outcomes.
  • S25: Collate evidence to prepare for external safeguarding inspections, reviews and audits.
  • S26: Apply feedback from safeguarding inspections, reviews and audits to improve safeguarding practice.
  • S27: Participate in training and continuous professional development activities and evaluate the impact of learning on own practice.
  • S28: To seek advice and support from senior staff to preserve own wellbeing and personal safety when required.

Behaviours


Behaviours (B) – The professional attitudes and values expected in the workplace. These include teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, and ethical responsibility.

  • B1: Treat people fairly and with dignity and respect.
  • B2: Be caring and compassionate.
  • B3: Show discretion and empathy whilst maintaining confidentiality.
  • B4: Be adaptable and consistent.
  • B5: Be self-aware, resilient and objective.
  • B6: Show honesty and integrity.
  • B7: Be professional and courteous.
Safeguarding Support Officer End Point Assessment consists of 2 assessment methods.
  • Assessment method 1 – presentation with questions
  • Assessment method 2 – professional discussion underpinned by portfolio
Once an apprentice has completed their apprenticeship, they will be ‘signed off’ by their employer/ provider as ready for end-point assessment of their knowledge and practical capabilities. In most cases, the assessment will be graded and must show the apprentice is fully competent and productive in the occupation.
Q. I am not a resident of England, can I still study this course?
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Why choose to learn with Fareport Training?

Fareport Training was established in 1981 in order to offer young people a route into work through work based training. In 2014 the business was purchased with support from entrepreneur Theo Paphitis by Natalie Cahill and Marinos Paphitis. Since then we have been building on Fareport’s excellent reputation for high quality training and delivering training and apprenticeships across England. We are proud to offer:

  • Expert-Led Instruction: Gain insights from industry leaders and seasoned professionals.
  • Cutting-Edge Curriculum: Stay ahead with the latest trends, tools, and techniques.
  • Flexible Learning Options: Balance your education with your professional and personal life.

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