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Starting salary for this role is £44,075 - £48,226 (pro-rata) - DOE

This role sits within a well defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

Internal colleagues are also normally appointed at the bottom of the band, unless moving within the same profession and skill level, where the pay band is the same they can be appointed to the existing pay point.

Learn more in our ‘More than just a job’ brochure on our careers site.

Role Purpose

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Safeguarding Practitioner to join our hospital-based team, working in partnership with University Hospitals Dorset (UHD). This vital role involves managing safeguarding concerns relating to UHD hospitals, ensuring timely triage, investigation, and resolution in line with statutory duties under the Care Act 2014.

You will work collaboratively with hospital staff, social care teams, and external agencies to uphold the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal, promoting the safety, dignity, and rights of adults at risk.

To work in partnership with people, families, and colleagues across the system to contribute to the delivery and development of the high-quality services provided by Adult Social Care.

To work in a way that is consistent with our corporate standards, priorities, strategy, values, and behaviours.

Main Responsibilities

As a Safeguarding Practitioner embedded within the hospital team, you will:

• Undertake Section 42 enquiries where appropriate, coordinating multi-agency involvement and ensuring that safeguarding plans are person-centred and outcome-focused.
• Provide expert safeguarding advice and consultation to hospital staff, social workers, and partner agencies, supporting best practice and compliance with statutory duties.
• Support the development of safeguarding practice within the hospital setting, contributing to policy reviews, and identifying areas for improvement.
• Promote the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal, ensuring that individuals are involved in decisions about their safety and wellbeing wherever possible.
• Escalate concerns appropriately and work closely with senior managers, legal advisors, and external bodies when dealing with complex or high-risk cases.
• Contribute to audits, learning reviews, and quality assurance processes, helping to embed learning and improve safeguarding outcomes across the system.
• Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that safeguarding responses are culturally competent and sensitive to the needs of diverse communities.
• Maintain and further develop professional knowledge and skills through continuous professional development, reflective practice, and other development opportunities.
• The expectation of BCP Council Social Care that all professionally qualified staff will undertake relevant training to meet the statutory responsibilities of the BCP Council in line with the Professional Capabilities Framework and any relevant Knowledge and Skills Statements.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant research, government guidance, legislation and best practice in relation to people and families, and the specialist service area to which appointed.
• In accordance with professional case recording standards, maintain case records on local information recording systems and ensure these records are maintained in line with legislative requirements and our best practice guidance, policy and procedures.
• As appropriate, contribute to the training and learning of qualified social workers, social work students, other professionals, or providers to promote knowledge and skills and our wider sector and profession.
• Uphold and promote anti racist and anti-discriminatory practice with people, families, colleagues and communities.
• This job description is not exhaustive and reflects the type and range of tasks, responsibilities and outcomes associated with this post.

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• Extensive working knowledge of Making Safeguarding Personal and undertaking work within S42 of the Care Act.
• Professional qualification in Social Work (DipSW, BASW, MSW or equivalent) and registration with Social Work England,
  or
  a relevant qualification and professional registration in a related field such as nursing, occupational therapy, or mental health, with demonstrable safeguarding experience.

If you would welcome an informal discussion about the role, please contact Service Managers Kerry Best 01202 127962 or Chris Perham 01202 123611.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work.

We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.

From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need.

It’s why we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and why you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly – we’re here to help. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer please see here: Preparing for your interview | Working for BCP

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council

At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.

Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at Employee benefits | Working for BCP

Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you

More About us | Working for BCP

DBS

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check.