Safeguarding Manager

RABI is the farmers charity.

All the relevant skills, qualifications and experience that a successful applicant will need are listed in the following description.

RABI supports farming people across England, Wales and NI with expert, one-to-one practical, financial and emotional help, all year round. From confidential advice and mental health support to direct financial assistance, their tailored services respond to the unique challenges of farming life.

At the heart of RABI's mission is a commitment to strengthening resilience; helping farming people feel valued, supported and better equipped to navigate uncertainty and change. RABI is working to close the farming wellbeing gap and build a future where farming people can thrive.

Over the past 25 years alone, RABI has delivered more than £250 million in direct financial support to farming people, whilst the charity's professional counselling service has provided 11,500 free sessions to farming people since 2022. RABI's wrap-around support services continue to evolve, reaching more people year on year.

RABI is on a journey to help shape a future farmers deserve.

Role Overview

Key Purpose

The Safeguarding Manager will lead the operational development, implementation and oversight of safeguarding across RABI, supporting consistent, effective practice throughout its services, staff teams and volunteering activities.

The initial focus will be on strengthening safeguarding within Service Delivery and Volunteering. This will include reviewing and embedding clear procedures, escalation routes, risk assessment, case management, recording, reporting, training and supervision appropriate to each area.

The post holder will maintain an organisation-wide remit from the outset, providing specialist safeguarding advice and responding to concerns across RABI. Wider development work will be delivered through a phased work plan agreed with the Senior Service Delivery Manager and Head of Service Delivery, with clear priorities, realistic timescales and consideration of operational demand and available capacity.

Reporting to the Senior Service Delivery Manager, the post holder will line-manage two Safeguarding Officers and act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), providing cover for the DSL when required.

The Safeguarding Manager will promote a person-centred, trauma-informed safeguarding culture, working collaboratively with managers so that safeguarding responsibilities are understood and embedded across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide clear, supportive, and developmental line management to two Safeguarding Officers, allocating and overseeing daily tasks and casework, providing supervision, and supporting their professional development.
• Agree and regularly review an organisation-wide safeguarding work plan with the Senior Service Delivery Manager, prioritising Service Delivery and Volunteering initially. Escalate competing demands and capacity concerns so that development work remains achievable alongside timely responses to safeguarding concerns across RABI.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex or high-risk safeguarding concerns, applying a trauma-informed approach that prioritises safety, empowerment, and dignity.
• Oversee referrals to RABI's counselling and wellbeing services, ensuring a compassionate and responsive approach in line with internal and external SLAs.
• Foster a reflective team culture that values emotional safety, supervision, and professional resilience.

Policy, Compliance & Training

• Lead the development and continuous enhancement of RABI's safeguarding policies, procedures, and guidance to ensure alignment with current legislation, trauma-informed best practice, and regulatory expectations.
• Promote consistent safeguarding practice and trauma awareness across RABI, with initial implementation focused on Service Delivery and Volunteering and further development delivered through the agreed work plan.
• Identify safeguarding training needs across RABI and oversee a proportionate training programme that includes trauma-informed principles, initially prioritising Service Delivery staff and volunteers. Support the Safeguarding Officers to deliver foundational sessions and personally deliver advanced training, with wider delivery phased according to agreed priorities and capacity.
• Maintain expert knowledge of safeguarding practice changes, trauma theory, and statutory guidance, ensuring RABI's approach remains sector-leading.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Translate complex safeguarding data and trends into actionable insights, providing trauma-aware analysis and recommendations to the DSL and senior leadership team.
• Monitor and evaluate safeguarding processes, identifying lessons learned and opportunities to strengthen trauma-informed practice.
• Promote safeguarding and trauma-informed best practices through reflective learning and cross-team collaboration.

External Engagement & Collaboration

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with safeguarding bodies, regulatory authorities, and sector partners.
• Represent RABI at external safeguarding forums, networks, and working groups.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in Service Delivery, Volunteering, Fundraising, Partnerships and other departments to embed safeguarding into their activities. Provide specialist advice across RABI, with initial development work focused on Service Delivery and Volunteering and priorities coordinated through the Senior Service Delivery Manager.
• Ensure staff and volunteers across RABI understand safeguarding expectations and escalation routes, with initial work focused on embedding these within Service Delivery and Volunteering.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Significant experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) in a complex organisation.
• Proven experience in leading, managing, and developing a team within a safeguarding or related operational context.
• Up-to-date specialist safeguarding training for adults and children.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UK safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and trauma-informed approaches to practice.
• Understanding of safeguarding within the charity and voluntary sector, including the responsibilities of organisations involving volunteers and the practical application of safeguarding in volunteer-led activities.
• Strong risk assessment skills, with ability to manage complex cases and make sound judgments.
• Excellent communication, report-writing, and record-keeping skills.
• Experience providing safeguarding support and guidance to staff and volunteers working with at-risk adults, children, and families.
• Proficiency with safeguarding data recording systems.
• Highly organised, with ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities, capable of influencing and engaging diverse stakeholders.

Desirable

• Relevant degree or equivalent demonstrable experience in safeguarding, social work, or a related field.
• Qualification or CPD in trauma-informed practice.
• A background or knowledge of the farming community.

Personal Attributes

• Empathetic, emotionally intelligent, approachable, and able to build trust quickly.
• High levels of integrity, discretion, and professional judgement.
• Resilient, flexible, and solution-focused.
• Committed to inclusivity, equality, and ethical practice.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with a drive for continuous improvement.

Additional Requirements

• Full driving licence with willingness to travel nationally when required.
• Commitment to ongoing safeguarding and professional development training.

This role profile is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the postholder, as per future developments at RABI.

Early applications are encouraged for this position as shortlisting and interviews will take place on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a suitable application prior to the deadline.

Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK and be able to maintain that right throughout their employment. Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory right to work checks.

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (based on full-time working).
• Enrolment to Nest on commencement of employment and then the opportunity to join RABI's group pension scheme with Standard Life where RABI make contributions equivalent to 10% of your basic salary, provided you make a personal contribution of 5% (subject to successful completion of probation).
• Life assurance from day one.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Support with personal and professional development.
• On site parking.

RABI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. It aims to ensure that all employment practices secure equality of opportunity and that no prospective or current employee receives less than favourable treatment at RABI because of their sex, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, belief, ethnic origin, disability, marital, or for any other reason which cannot be shown to be justifiable. xwwtmva Our recruitment process is designed to ensure that individuals are selected based solely on their relevant skills, experience, qualifications and abilities.