Deputy safeguarding lead jobs in Manchester

Context:
Kinship provides direct support to, raises awareness of and campaigns for the rights of kinship carers across the UK. Kinship carers are navigating complex family relationships, trauma, poverty, discrimination. The children that they care for have frequently experienced abuse or are at risk of harm. Safeguarding concerns can be disclosed by kinship carers at all contact points with Kinship. 

Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility and requires a safeguarding approach that is aligned to statutory frameworks, is professional, consistent, trauma-informed and proportionate to level of risk.

The designated safeguarding officer holds organisational responsibility for Kinship’s safeguarding framework and actions. The role works collaboratively with a team including a Safeguarding Trustee and a group of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads drawn from key service areas across the charity.

The role provides expertise, professional guidance and clear direction across the organisation, supporting staff and volunteers to make sound safeguarding decisions within a framework.

Purpose of the role:
The Designated Safeguarding Manager works closely with all teams across Kinship to embed proactive, person-centred, and partnership-driven safeguarding practice to protect children and adults at risk of harm.

The role provides professional oversight to Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads through individual and group reflective practice and supports high-quality and defensible safeguarding decision-making. The role drives contextual safeguarding approaches, promote professional curiosity, continual professional development and ensures safeguarding responses are informed by lived experience and the realities of kinship care.

At Kinship safeguarding concerns come from risks of harm to adults and children often with risks of harm to multiple people in the same family context.

This requires careful, trauma-informed decision-making and support for staff responding to complex safeguarding situations.

How the role works:
Reporting to the Head of Programmes, the Designated Safeguarding Manager holds responsibility for safeguarding practice across the organisation and provides expert oversight and organisational assurance ensuring safeguarding is embedded consistently, proportionately and in line with best practice.

This role will require flexibility for occasional travel in England and Wales.

Key responsibilities:

Organisational safeguarding accountability and assurance

• Act as Kinship’s Designated Safeguarding Officer, holding organisational authority for safeguarding decision-making and escalation.
• Hold organisational accountability for safeguarding practice, ensuring responsibilities are well defined, understood and embedded across the organisation.
• Maintain and assure a robust safeguarding framework, including defined roles, escalation routes, decision-making thresholds and accountability arrangements and balance safeguarding rigour with compassion and proportionality.
• Provide safeguarding oversight and assurance during service development, mobilisation and organisational change to ensure risks are identified, assessed and mitigated.

Trauma-informed safeguarding practice and oversight

• Embed trauma-informed safeguarding practice, ensuring all decisions, interventions, and organisational processes:
  • Recognise the impact of past and ongoing trauma on children, kinship carers, and families.
  • Prioritise emotional and psychological safety while balancing protection, autonomy, and empowerment.
  • Integrate trauma-awareness into risk assessments, safety planning, case management, policies, and service design.
• Support staff through reflective supervision, guidance, and training to respond effectively.
• Provide professional oversight and reflective practice support to Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
• Provide expert safeguarding advice and consultation to staff and managers, supporting the assessment of concerns, threshold decisions, appropriate escalation, and proportionate, trauma-informed decision-making.
• Quality-assure safeguarding practice and decision-making to ensure actions are proportionate, person-centred, trauma-informed, and defensible.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of safeguarding records, risk assessments, and safety planning.

 Policy, compliance and organisational assurance

• Develop, review and maintain safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance in line with legislation, statutory guidance and Charity Commission expectations.
• Ensure safeguarding systems, processes and recording arrangements are robust, accessible and consistently applied.
• Provide regular safeguarding assurance, analysis and learning reports to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.

Culture, capability and continuous improvement

• Embed trauma-informed, contextual and culturally responsive safeguarding practice across the organisation.
• Promote professional curiosity and reflective practice, supporting staff to exercise sound professional judgement and avoid overly procedural responses.
• Design and deliver safeguarding training and guidance for staff and volunteers, building organisational capability and confidence.
• Lead learning reviews following safeguarding incidents or near misses, ensuring learning informs service and practice improvement.

Equity, inclusion and anti-racist safeguarding

• Ensure safeguarding practice actively considers how race, ethnicity, racism and intersecting inequalities shape risk, vulnerability and access to support.
• Support teams to identify and challenge bias and assumptions through reflective practice, supervision and learning.
• Embed equity, inclusion and anti-racist principles within safeguarding frameworks, policies, training and quality assurance processes.

Partnership working and external accountability

• Work collaboratively with statutory partners and external agencies to support effective safeguarding responses.
• Represent Kinship in multi-agency safeguarding forums, reviews or regulatory engagement as required.

Experience (Essential)

• Significant experience in adult and child safeguarding practice, including oversight of complex, high-risk, and multi-agency safeguarding situations.
• Experience providing professional oversight, reflective supervision, and structured learning support to safeguarding practitioners or leads, without direct line management responsibility.
• Experience embedding contextual safeguarding approaches and promoting professional curiosity in decision-making.
• Experience of working confidently with complexity, challenging constructively and supporting teams to do the right thing in difficult situations.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and embedding safeguarding policies, procedures, training, and learning frameworks.
• Substantial experience working with dispersed or multi-disciplinary teams, supporting wellbeing, professional development, and reflective practice.
• Experience working in voluntary sector, community-based, or service delivery organisations, particularly where safeguarding concerns arise through multiple routes.

Knowledge (Essential)

• Strong working knowledge of adult and child safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and recognised safeguarding frameworks, with the ability to apply them proportionately in practice.
• Up-to-date knowledge of children’s and adult social care systems.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based practice in work with adults, children, and families.
• Awareness of how racism, inequality, and structural disadvantage can increase risk and shape safeguarding experiences, particularly for Black and minoritised communities.
• Understanding of organisational safeguarding governance, including accountability, assurance, escalation, and risk management.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities within the voluntary and community sector, including Charity Commission expectations, trustee duties, and regulatory requirements

Skills and abilities (Essential)

• Strong professional judgement, with confidence in making and defending complex safeguarding decisions.
• Calm, credible, and reflective approach in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
• Ability to support and challenge colleagues constructively through reflective discussion, learning, and coaching rather than directive management.
• Clear, compassionate, and adaptable communicator, able to translate safeguarding complexity for diverse audiences, including operational and service delivery teams.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple safeguarding priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively across wide-ranging professional teams and external partners.
• Values-led, with a demonstrable commitment to equity, inclusion, anti-racist practice, and culturally responsive safeguarding.

Qualifications (Essential)

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. social work, health, or related field), or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in safeguarding children and adults.
• Permission to work in the UK.

Attributes and general characteristics (Essential)

• Commitment to the values, aims, and objectives of Kinship.
• Respectful, empathetic approach to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Flexible and willing to travel across England as required.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Lived experience of kinship care.
• Experience using Salesforce, Asana, Notion, and/or general AI tools for case management, project management, or documentation.
• Experience in innovation and continuous improvement within safeguarding practice or organisational culture.

How to apply:
Please apply for the role of Designated Safeguarding Manager by sending a tailored CV and responding to these 5 questions below in the online application process. Please read the guidance notes in the job pack. 

Closing date is 9am on Mon 2 March, with a first interview (30 mins online) that week and a second interview in person on Tues 10 March 2026. 

For all questions, please provide a maximum of 250 words per answer.

1.Alignment with Kinship: Why do you want to work for Kinship, and why does this Safeguarding Manager (Designated Safeguarding Lead) role matter to you at this point in your career?  Please refer to Kinship’s work and services in your answer, and explain what specifically about this role you are drawn to. 

2.Trauma informed practice: Describe a specific example where you have led or overseen a safeguarding concern using a trauma-informed approach.

3. Contextual safeguarding and professional curiosity: Tell us about a time you applied contextual safeguarding or professional curiosity to a situation where the initial concern did not tell the full story. What did you notice, what questions did you ask, and how did this change the safeguarding response? 

4. Reflective practice and supporting others: Give an example of how you have supported others to improve safeguarding decision-making through reflective practice (for example group reflection or one-to-one discussion). What was the issue and what changed? 

5. Equity, racism and safeguarding: Describe a situation where race, ethnicity or structural inequality affected safeguarding risk or decision-making. How did you recognise this and what did you do to ensure a fair and proportionate response? 

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
• ​30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
• Charity Worker Discounts. 

WSS Deputy Regional SEND Leader for the North West
Contract Type: Fixed term Secondment contract until 31 March 2027
Salary: £450 per day (payable to the school / education setting)
Hours: A minimum commitment of 40 days a year, equating to an average of one-day a week (flexibility to plan own day or equivalent in part days), during term time

Join our Regional Whole School SEND Teams – help shape the future of SEND

Whole School SEND is expanding its regional teams, and we are looking for experienced SEND leaders to step into seconded Deputy Regional SEND Leader positions.

As a Deputy Regional SEND Leader, you will support the delivery of the DfE’s Universal SEND Services programme, helping schools and colleges across your region to develop inclusive practice and improve outcomes for learners with SEND. Working in close partnership with national and regional colleagues, you will lead professional networks, support strategic SEND development and share evidence based practice.

These roles are ideal for experienced SEND leaders who:

• already think beyond one school
• have strong professional networks across their region
• are confident working with senior leaders, MATs, local authorities and other partners
• want to shape policy and practice at a national level
• value collaboration, knowledge exchange and inclusive leadership

You might currently be:

• a MAT SEND / Inclusion Director or Lead
• a trustwide SENCo / Inclusion Lead
• a local authority SEND leader
• an experienced SENCo influencing across multiple schools
• a system leader with credibility and influence in your region

This role is offered on a secondment basis. This means the successful applicant will remain employed by their current organisation, and Whole School SEND (through nasen) will reimburse the employer for the time the individual spends undertaking Regional SEND Leader duties. The secondment fee of £550 per day is paid directly to the employing organisation, ensuring there is no financial loss to the school, trust or local authority releasing the colleague for this work.

The Deputy Regional SEND Leader will continue in their substantive role while contributing the equivalent of one day a week (40 days across the year) to Whole School SEND. This model enables leaders to bring current, real world expertise into the national programme while maintaining their ongoing responsibilities within their home organisation.

This is an opportunity to apply your, while maintaining your connection to your current school, trust or organisation.

This role requires flexibility, occasional travel and occasional overnight stays.

Please note this is a secondment position from an education setting, you must be located in the geographical region stated on the advert to apply, those not meeting this criteria will not be considered.

Closing Date: Thursday 5th March 2026
N.B The application period may be closed earlier if sufficient suitable candidates apply.
Start date: 1st April 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter)

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Whole School SEND is an equal opportunities organisation and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

About Whole School SEND (WSS)

Whole School SEND (WSS), hosted by nasen, is a national community committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. The work of Whole School SEND is based on the principle that the knowledge and expertise needed to develop the workforce already exists in the system and that knowledge exchange can occur through effective collaboration.

Since its inception in 2016, the WSS community has brought together key stakeholder organisations, individuals and educational settings from across the SEND community and encouraged collaboration between them.

Regional SEND Leaders are central to the success of the programme, acting as the bridge between national direction and regional implementation. They bring deep SEND expertise and strong regional networks to the role, enabling them to identify local priorities, champion evidence informed practice and work closely with schools, colleges and system partners to build confidence and capability in meeting the needs of learners with SEND.

A regionalised model of delivery and development, responsive to local contexts, will continue to be an essential part of the growth and sustainability of our work. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of SEND in your region. We have a wide-ranging programme of work, including delivering CPD (online and face-to-face) and leading Professional Development Groups, as well as maintaining and extending regional networks.

No agencies please.

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

Join Us in Making a Difference at Marie Curie

As a Community Fundraiser, you’ll be at the heart of building and championing our volunteer community. You will work closely with local fundraising and volunteering groups, inspiring them to create meaningful activities that raise vital funds for Marie Curie. Reporting to the Deputy Head of Region, you’ll collaborate with passionate fundraising colleagues to grow and energise our volunteer network—helping new and existing volunteers feel empowered, supported, and excited to make a difference in their communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Grow, recruit and support volunteering and fundraising groups, building trusted relationships and nurturing an engaged, motivated volunteer community.
• Lead local delivery of flagship campaigns, including The Great Daffodil Appeal, working alongside volunteers to maximise reach and impact.
• Champion volunteering in your area, increasing community involvement through active outreach, events, and relationship-building.
• Collaborate across teams and with external partners, ensuring volunteers have what they need to thrive and succeed.
• Maintain accurate records and uphold excellent fundraising practice, safeguarding volunteers and supporters.
• Use social media and local communication channels to celebrate volunteer achievements and inspire new supporters to get involved.

What You’ll Need

• Proven experience working with volunteers including recruitment, engagement, and ongoing support.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire confidence in individuals and groups.
• Strong organisational skills, including planning, prioritising and managing budgets.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and experience using databases or CRM systems.
• A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel across the region, including some evenings and weekends.

To view the job description, please click .

Application Process 

As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.  Please cite your preferred location.

Close date for applications: Thursday 5th March 2026

Salary: £27,450 - £30,500

Contract: Full time hours (35 hours per week)

Based: Home-based role with occasional office visits(once per week) and county travel (once per month) frequency will vary based on business needs

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work.  We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We're happy to accommodate any requests for reasonable adjustments

For more information or an informal chat please contact Thomas Howell on [email protected]

At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone — staff and volunteers alike — supportive, inclusive and rewarding.  We take stringent steps to ensure that anyone who joins our organisation are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings.  We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require any support, please contact us at .

Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you — your experience, perspective and voice.

Project Manager, Policy Fellow

Terms: full time; 3 year contract
Salary: £36,400-46,000
Location: Remote working, option to use co-working space.  There will be requirements to travel internationally.
Start Date: As soon as possible
Reports to:  Programme Manager, Senior Policy Fellow, Dr Chiara Cervasio

Please note:  Applicants must have the right to work in either the UK, Italy or Germany and be either currently located in one of these countries or prepared to relocate prior to commencing employment.  In this case, BASIC is not providing any relocation assistance and is unable to sponsor VISAs.

About BASIC

BASIC is an independent, non-profit think tank working to safeguard humanity and Earth's ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Our vision is for a global security consensus founded on multilateralism, the recognition of the indivisibility of security, adherence to Earth's planetary boundaries, and consideration of future generations.

For nearly 40 years, we have built a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to strengthen international peace and security. We are an intellectually and culturally diverse team of 20 expert-practitioners with deep institutional experience, headquartered in London with additional presences in Berlin and Rome. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.

BASIC's approach to resolving contemporary nuclear dynamics is centred on dialogue as both a practice and a philosophy. We interpret dialogue broadly, recognising that meaningful engagement takes many forms: from facilitating direct strategic conversations between adversaries grounded in conflict resolution principles, to developing networks and diplomatic initiatives that build consensus around shared objectives, to shaping the intellectual foundations of policy discourse through rigorous research and thought leadership.

BASIC is a fast-paced and rewarding environment with an exceptionally positive and inclusive team culture. We have experienced rapid growth over the past decade and are well-suited to people who are motivated by our mission, able to work at a sustained pace, keen to develop professionally, and enjoy being part of a collaborative team working on consequential issues.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with room for growth

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive period

• Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)

• Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours

• Remote working with option to use co-working space

• 1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• Excellent team culture built on respect, openness, and inclusion

The Role

The Project Manager is an adept and organised professional, esteemed within the nuclear policy community for their level. Responsible for overseeing a discrete package of work, they must demonstrate a clear understanding and alignment with broader programme goals, strategies, and objectives. The role will report to the Programme Manager.

Taking charge of project deliverables, the Project Manager will navigate the entire project cycle, from generating fundraising ideas to developing them further and building knowledge of funding relationships. The Project Manager might also act as deputy of the Programme Manager. 

The Project Manager will take responsibility for the South Asia portfolio under the Responsibilities and Global Governance (RGG) Programme. The RGG Programme works to strengthen global security by supporting the development of responsible governance frameworks for weapons and dual-use technologies in cross-cutting operational domains. Under the South Asia portfolio, the RGG Programme has facilitated research and dialogue with the Indian and Pakistani nuclear policy communities with a focus on regional crisis prevention, management, and de-escalation practices.

The Project Manager should possess a solid understanding of global security and conflict resolution and a deep understanding and demonstrable knowledge of military security dynamics in South Asia, coupled with a proven ability to design and execute high-quality project management and research. The ideal candidate is an established researcher with a specialisation in nuclear weapons issues and South Asia. As the candidate will be expected to facilitate India-Pakistan nuclear dialogues, it is important that they will show an ability to engage impartially with all parties.

It is expected that the Project Manager will have solo authored, policy relevant, publications. The Project Manager should possess the skills to expand their network in their area of specialisation, benefiting BASIC, and be capable of line managing other team members within their project. 

This role necessitates a formal project or programme management qualification – BASIC will provide the Project Manager with such training and qualifications if they do not already possess one. The Project Manager will collaborate with their line manager to identify a professional development plan, closing skills gaps and aspiring to become an internationally respected leader in their field.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Delivery

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Manage project timelines, budgets, and reporting requirements

• Line manage, mentor/coach, and provide pastoral care for the project team: policy fellows, project assistants and interns

• Write high-quality, policy-relevant research reports, op-eds and briefings

• Organise international roundtables, workshops and other events with track 1 and 2 participants

• Manage relationships with stakeholders and build BASIC’s network and reputation

• Independently represent BASIC at international meetings

2. Fundraising

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Develop a project, by independently and confidently scoping funding opportunities

• Liaise with the Programme Manager on funding priorities and opportunities

• Manage projects with minimal day-to-day manager input.

• Develop new and existing relationships with funders

• Write and edit funding applications

3. Communications

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Collaborate with various stakeholders including international partners to build strong relationships.

• Facilitate dialogue and cooperation among diverse stakeholders.

• Promote our / their work confidently and internationally 

• Confidently use online social media platforms, and if possible, press contacts

4. Office support

Applicants will need to be able to support the running of the organisation and colleagues with a range of administrative tasks wherever required.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Educated to Master’s level – or demonstrate the equivalent in work experience

• 5+ years of work experience in a think tank, research institute, NGO, foundation or government working on international security issues

• Demonstrable knowledge of South Asian military security issues

• Passion and commitment to our organisational mission of promoting dialogue to advance global security

• Demonstrated ability and track record in leading the creative development and delivery of policy projects in the UK or internationally, including budgeting and reporting

• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds and with broad variations in seniority and function

• Excellent analytical and methodological skills, and an organised approach to research

• Well-developed interpersonal skills, including evidence of working successfully as part of a team

• Track record of previous fundraising experience and success

• Strong track record of publications, including policy-relevant

• Experience organising policy roundtables and workshops

• Willingness to travel internationally including to India and Pakistan when required

• Strong organisational skills and an eye for detail

• Good personal network in their research area

• Previous line management experience

Desirable:

• Educated to PhD’s level
• Formal programme/project management qualification

Please note that, due to the large number of applications we receive, we are not able to acknowledge receipt of all applications and only shortlisted candidates will be notified. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, you have not been successful.