Safeguarding Officer

Role overview

MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets) is recruiting a Safeguarding Officer to join its growing safeguarding function. The organisation is a national maritime charity that supports young people, seafarers and maritime professionals through learning, development and challenge. Its long-term strategy focuses on helping more people reach their potential, including those from under-represented and marginalised backgrounds.

This role is based at MSSC NSC, 200B Lambeth Road, London, SE1 7JY, with hybrid working. It is a full-time, permanent position with a Monday to Friday working pattern, although flexibility is important because the role can involve responding to challenging situations and changing priorities.

Salary is £40,300 gross per year. The closing date for applications is 8 July 2026, and the assessment day is scheduled for 16 July 2026. Applicants must submit both a CV and a covering letter.

About the team

The central safeguarding team is based in London and provides advice, support and guidance to volunteers across the UK on safeguarding matters. Safeguarding Officers act as lead professionals for safeguarding casework, working within policy, procedures and legal responsibilities. The team is committed to strengthening and improving safeguarding practice across the organisation.

Key responsibilities

• Support, advise and coach SCC volunteers so they can respond effectively to safeguarding concerns at a local level.
• Manage a caseload efficiently and with sound professional judgement.
• Act as lead professional on allegation management matters.
• Handle referrals to statutory bodies such as the Local Authority Designated Officer, Police, Children’s Services, Social Care and comparable services across the UK, including DBS and PVGS-related processes.

Candidate requirements

Applicants should have experience from the voluntary youth sector, community sector, or another relevant professional setting, together with direct practice experience of working with children and young people in a safeguarding context.

Strong knowledge of Early Help principles and practice is essential, along with understanding of statutory duties and recognised best practice for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.

There is a requirement to work flexibly and to deal appropriately with demanding or sensitive situations.

Application requirements

To be considered, candidates must provide a CV and a supporting statement. The supporting statement should clearly explain how the applicant’s qualifications, skills and experience match the job description and person specification. Applications without both documents will not be progressed.

Benefits

• 25 days of annual leave per year, pro rata for part-time staff, with increases linked to length of service.
• Hybrid working available for many roles.
• Volunteering leave.
• Life assurance worth 4 times salary.
• Private medical insurance.
• Employer pension contribution of up to 10%.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Access to the Marine Society Digital Library.
• Wellbeing portal and employee assistance programme with one-to-one counselling.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities designed to support growth and help employees reach their potential.

Additional information

MSSC welcomes applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds and is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. The organisation aims to maintain a fair and consistent recruitment process and values a wide range of experience, identities and skills.

This employer operates safer recruitment practices. Appointment is subject to pre-employment checks, including references, criminal disclosure checks and completion of a disclosure questionnaire. Successful candidates must also attend safeguarding training and complete the required criminal record check.

Contact

For an informal discussion about the position, contact Jane Sales, Head of Safeguarding & Young People Support, on 020 7654 7022.