Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer
Duration: 18 months (plus 4 months gateway)
Safeguarding Apprenticeship
If you’re looking to start a career as a Safeguarding Support Officer, this apprenticeship will prepare you to play a vital role in protecting vulnerable individuals within your organisation. It meets the national standards for a Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer.
Throughout the programme, you’ll develop the knowledge and practical skills to be the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns, including conducting risk assessments, triaging cases, and signposting to the appropriate internal or external contacts.
You’ll gain real-world experience in a safeguarding environment, supported by coaching, portfolio development, and help to achieve English and maths qualifications if required. Upon completion, you’ll be equipped to support safeguarding leads and help create safer environments across a range of sectors.
Topics, units and assessments
As part of the apprenticeship, you will learn about:
- Communication
- Safeguarding Principles
- Data management and recording
- Developing and supporting others
- Collaboration
- Safeguarding Practice
- Legislation, policies and procedures
- Personal Development.
Learners must complete all elements of the apprenticeship, including English and maths where required, before progressing to the end point assessment.
- Presentation with questions
- Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
How you’ll learn
Off-the-job training is a critical and important element within the apprenticeship. Apprentices must complete the minimum requirement for the off-the-job training.
The requirement is to complete a minimum of 6 hours per week or the equivalent over the practical learning duration (20% of capped 30 working hours).
Off-the-job training must deliver new skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard and can include:
- Teaching of theory via blended delivery methods
- Practical training
- Work shadowing
- Supported learning and time spent writing any assignments/questions.
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Safeguarding Advisor
A Safeguarding Advisor protects the welfare of children, young people, or vulnerable adults by ensuring policies are implemented and followed, supporting staff, handling concerns, and working with external agencies to manage risks.
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Safeguarding Assistant
A Safeguarding Assistant supports the work of the Safeguarding Advisor or Safeguarding Lead by helping to manage and respond to safeguarding concerns. They assist with record-keeping, monitoring reports and arranging meetings.
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Safeguarding Coordinator
A Safeguarding Coordinator plays a key role in overseeing and coordinating safeguarding practices within an organisation. They ensure that policies are up to date, staff are trained, and any concerns are managed effectively.
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Designated Safeguarding Lead
A Designated Safeguard Lead is the main point of contact for all safeguarding concerns within an organisation, such as a school or training provider. They respond to safeguarding issues and ensure all staff are trained.
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Grow Future Talent
Apprenticeships offer a structured, hands-on route into vital education roles such as teaching assistants, learning mentors, and early years educators. By nurturing talent from within, schools and education providers can address staff shortages and ensure apprentices gain real-world classroom experience aligned with curriculum needs and pastoral care.
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Build a Stable Support Team
Through apprenticeships, education providers can invest in developing skilled administrative, pastoral, and classroom support staff. This not only helps reduce reliance on temporary or agency staff but also builds a dependable, well-trained team that understands the specific needs of the school community and can grow with the organisation.
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Boost Retention
Apprenticeships help you build a loyal and motivated workforce by offering clear progression and personal development opportunities. When you invest in training, your staff feel valued and supported. This leads to higher job satisfaction, stronger morale, and increased retention, giving you a more stable team and reducing recruitment costs in your education setting.
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Maximise Education Funding
Many schools and education providers are under financial pressure, but apprenticeships offer a cost-effective way to train staff. Employers can use apprenticeship levy funds or access government support to cover training costs, allowing them to reskill their workforce without affecting other essential budgets, aiding in better succession planning.
Employer Hub
Get the information you need on how apprenticeships can benefit your business.
Our Employer Hub provides clear guidance on how apprenticeships can help your business thrive, plus all the details about funding and support you'll get every step of the way to make apprenticeships a key part of your workforce strategy.
Employer solutionsI would recommend an apprenticeship because I think it's a great way to combine learning whilst working and I think it's a really good way of being able to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours and practically apply those in the workplace.
Emma, Apprentice