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Head of Safety & Safeguarding

Application Deadline: 5 July 2025

Department: Quality & Compliance

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Home based / with some regional travel

Compensation: GBP 57,841 - GBP 68,048 / year

Description

At The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE), we are committed to ensuring that every young person has access to a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment throughout their DofE journey. Safeguarding and safety are central to everything we do.

We are now recruiting for a Head of Safety and Safeguarding - a new and pivotal role at the heart of our organisation. In this role, you will lead our safeguarding and operational safety work, embedding a culture of prevention, protection, and accountability across the DofE and our national network of delivery partners.

You will be a champion and advocate for safeguarding both within the Award and across our broader network, providing strategic leadership, influencing organisational change, and strengthening our commitment to keeping young people safe.

This senior leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape and strengthen our safeguarding and safety frameworks. Reporting to the Director of Quality & Compliance, you will:

• Lead the DofE's approach to safeguarding and operational safety, ensuring a proactive, high-quality and compliant framework that protects young people and vulnerable adults.
• Champion a culture of safety and safeguarding across the organisation and our licensed partner network.
• Provide strategic leadership on policy, case management, and incident response, offering expert advice to the Executive, Trustees and senior leaders.
• Lead and develop the Safeguarding and Safety Team as a trusted source of support and guidance.
• Ensure robust policies, training, and monitoring are in place, and drive continuous improvement through learning, collaboration and innovation.
• Represent the DofE at the highest levels, staying up to date with legislation and best practice, and embedding safety throughout our adventurous and educational activities.

What we are looking for:

• A leader that can demonstrate significant experience in strategic leadership and operational delivery of safeguarding.
• Strong knowledge of national safety regulation and training frameworks.
• High level of personal integrity, with the ability to manage sensitive matters confidentially.
• Resilient, proactive and solutions-oriented, with excellent time management.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence, guide, and build confidence at all levels.
• Experience managing a team and working cross-functionally within a matrix structure.

Desirable:

• Deep understanding of safety in the context of adventurous or outdoor learning activities.
• Experience in implementing safety practice across a dispersed network or licensing model.
• Senior-level safety leadership in a relevant setting (e.g., education, youth work, outdoor sector).

How to apply and interview dates

If you feel excited by this role and believe you have the necessary skills and experience to become a valued team member, please go to our website and apply.

The deadline for applying for this role is: Sunday 5th July - Midnight

1st interviews will take place on: WC: 14th July to be held virtually

2nd interviews will take place on: WC: 21st July - Venu to be confirmed

If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if you would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us by email recruitment@dofe.org

Benefits

We offer excellent staff benefits including a generous pension contribution, an employee assistance programme, healthcare cash plan and volunteer leave. Also, 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays and an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and the New Year. Buy additional annual leave, benefits discount website, death in service benefit 4 x salary, incapacity benefit, generous family leave and sick leave.

The DofE are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All successful applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. (e.g. DBS/PVG or similar), including references covering any gaps of employment/education, confirm eligibility to work in the UK and complete a health check. **The geographical allowance is based on a member of staff having a home or office-based postcode within 30 miles (as the crow flies) from Charing Cross, WC2N 5HS. The allowance is 7% capped at GBP 4,000 per annum.