Volunteer Safeguarding Lead

Help us build Young Change Makers safely from the very beginning.

Young Change Makers is being rebuilt from the ground up, and we are looking for a Volunteer Safeguarding Lead to establish and oversee the safeguarding framework that will sit at the heart of our work with young people.

This is an opportunity to join at the earliest stage and make sure safeguarding is built into the organisation from day one, rather than added later.

About Young Change Makers

Young Change Makers exists to help young people turn their ideas into action.

Our aim is to provide practical guidance, resources and support to young people who want to develop community projects, campaigns, charitable initiatives and other ideas for positive change.

YCM is currently being completely relaunched.

We are starting with a new leadership structure and will be rebuilding our programmes, website, resources, partnerships, volunteer team and internal systems.

Because young people are central to everything we intend to do, establishing appropriate safeguarding arrangements is one of our first priorities.

About the role

As Safeguarding Lead, you will be YCM's senior point of contact for safeguarding.

Initially, you will work directly with the Founder while the wider leadership team is recruited. As the organisation develops, you will work closely with the Managing Director / Organisation Lead, People & Volunteer Lead and Head of Programmes & Learning.

You will have the opportunity to develop safeguarding arrangements while our services are still being designed.

We specifically do not want to launch mentoring, workshops or other direct youth-facing activities and then work out safeguarding afterwards.

Your role is to help us get this right before those activities begin.

What you will be responsible for

You will:

• Lead the development of YCM's safeguarding framework.
• Review and help develop safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Establish clear processes for reporting and recording safeguarding concerns.
• Establish appropriate escalation procedures.
• Act as a senior point of contact for safeguarding questions and concerns.
• Advise leadership on safeguarding risks.
• Work with the Programme team when designing services involving young people.
• Help establish safe boundaries for volunteers interacting with young people.
• Advise on appropriate recruitment and safeguarding checks for relevant roles.
• Help determine where DBS checks or other safeguarding measures may be appropriate.
• Support the development of safeguarding inductions and training.
• Help establish procedures for online communications and digital activities involving young people.
• Ensure volunteers know what to do if somebody discloses abuse, harm or another safeguarding concern.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality while recognising when information must be shared.
• Escalate serious concerns appropriately.
• Keep safeguarding arrangements under review as YCM grows.

Who we're looking for

Unlike some of our other early vacancies, relevant safeguarding knowledge or experience is important for this position.

You may be suitable if you have experience within areas such as:

• Safeguarding
• Education
• Youth work
• Social care
• Children's services
• Charities or community organisations
• Healthcare
• Volunteer management
• Safeguarding policy or compliance

We're particularly looking for somebody who:

• Understands safeguarding principles relating to children and young people.
• Can identify risks and suggest proportionate safeguards.
• Understands confidentiality and appropriate information sharing.
• Can communicate sensitive information clearly and professionally.
• Is comfortable challenging unsafe practices.
• Can help turn safeguarding requirements into practical procedures.
• Is reliable and able to exercise good judgement.
• Understands the importance of maintaining professional boundaries.

Formal safeguarding training would be highly desirable.

Starting from the ground up

Applicants should understand that Young Change Makers is currently at the beginning of its rebuild.

You will not inherit a finished safeguarding system.

Policies, reporting processes, training arrangements and operational safeguards will need to be reviewed, developed and implemented.

That is intentional.

We are recruiting this position early specifically so the Safeguarding Lead can influence how YCM is built before significant youth-facing activity begins.

Working with other teams

Safeguarding should not operate separately from the rest of YCM.

You will particularly work with:

Managing Director / Organisation Lead
On organisational risk, serious concerns and implementation.

People & Volunteer Lead
On safer recruitment, onboarding, training and volunteer conduct.

Head of Programmes & Learning
On courses, workshops, mentoring and other services involving young people.

Communications & Marketing Lead
Where communications, social media, photography, stories or online interaction involve young people.

Future team

Initially, this may be a standalone senior role.

As Young Change Makers grows, you may recommend the appointment of Deputy Safeguarding Officers or additional safeguarding support if the volume or nature of our work requires it.

We do not intend to build a large safeguarding team simply for the sake of having one. The structure should grow proportionately alongside YCM's actual activities.

What you'll get from the role

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Shape safeguarding within a youth organisation from its earliest stage.
• Have genuine influence over organisational policies and practices.
• Gain senior voluntary leadership experience.
• Work flexibly and remotely.
• Collaborate with teams across programmes, people, operations and leadership.
• Help create an organisation where young people's safety is considered from the beginning.
• Access relevant training and development opportunities as these become available.
• Receive a professional reference following a meaningful period of contribution.

Working relationship

During the initial rebuild, you will work directly with the Founder.

As the senior structure is established, you will work closely with the Managing Director / Organisation Lead while retaining appropriate independence to raise and escalate safeguarding concerns.

Safeguarding concerns should never be suppressed simply because they are inconvenient for the organisation or its leadership.

The successful applicant will also receive our Hiring and Team Structure Plan, which explains how YCM is being rebuilt and how each department will develop.