Our vision
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A world where no young person feels alone with their mental health.
We want to see a world where every young person who is struggling feels able to reach out, and has people and services around them who can really help.
We are recruiting for the role of Senior Safeguarding and Wellbeing Officer. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) 12-month maternity cover position.
Key information
- Application closing date
- 02 Jun 2026
- Interview date
- 15 Jun 2026
- Working environment
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We are currently working with a hybrid working model, where there is the option of working from home combined with 4-12 days a month of working in the office.
About this role
The Senior Safeguarding & Wellbeing Officer will lead the delivery and ongoing development of wellbeing support for young people aged 16-25, participating in our programmes. Working closely with Programme Leads in the Youth Participation Team, the role will respond to emerging needs and ongoing safeguarding or wellbeing concerns to enhance young people’s experience and enable their safe, meaningful participation at YoungMinds.
The Senior Safeguarding & Wellbeing Officer will also play an active role in building and embedding an organisational safeguarding culture of care by supporting with the operational elements of safeguarding.
This role will focus on three primary areas of work:
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1.
Providing support and advocacy for young people with complex mental health, wellbeing and safeguarding needs to access statutory and community services.
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2.
Delivery of a proactive wellbeing programme for young people on our programmes that focuses on radical care and connection.
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3.
Supporting safeguarding and wellbeing practice across the organisation.
This role requires strong anti-oppressive youth work experience and a confident understanding of the principles of inclusive and justice-led practice, as well as excellent communication skills with young people and young adults of different ages and learning styles. Critical to this role is building trusting relationships with young people across our programmes, in order to support young people to access community resources and take the active lead in their wellbeing and support.
The post also requires strong knowledge of safeguarding practice, particularly in relation to safeguarding and planning of youth engagement activities/events and understanding wellbeing versus safeguarding thresholds.
The YoungMinds’ approach to safeguarding includes the concept of a ‘culture of care’ which supports and promotes wellbeing and the prevention of harm. We believe that our staff, volunteers and consultants have an individual and organisational responsibility for safeguarding and aim to embed a safeguarding ethos and practice which is both proactive and responsive towards issues of safety and wellbeing.
We ask all staff to undertake safeguarding training with us as part of their onboarding journey and their ongoing learning and development.
About you
Candidates will be shortlisted at application on the basis of demonstrating the following to a satisfactory level:
- Experience of providing wellbeing and safeguarding advice to professionals working with children and adults.
- Experience of safely providing direct support to young people experiencing mental health difficulties, including young people who face mental health crises or active suicidal ideation.
- Ability to confidently assess risk and to make time-sensitive decisions.
- Ability to cope with an emotionally demanding workload, remain calm and empathetic and respond appropriately to anxiety, confusion, distress and anger.
- Excellent organisational skills, including maintaining safeguarding records and systems.
- Understanding of contextual safeguarding practice, and demonstrates a flexible, proactive, inclusive and holistic approach to safeguarding and wellbeing practice.
Further information on the post, including key duties and responsibilities, can be found in the job description below.
Apply now
To apply for this role, please download the application form below and follow the guidance in the Senior Safeguarding and Wellbeing Officer job pack.
Applications should be sent to recruitment@youngminds.org.uk by the deadline listed below, with the job title included as the subject.
We welcome applications from Black and Minoritised, LGBTQ+ groups and those with disabilities, as they are currently under-represented.
Deadline for applications is 5pm on 2 June 2026.
Interviews will be held on week commencing 15 June 2026.
We are unable to provide individual feedback for candidates at application stage. We also reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated application deadline if we receive a high volume of applications.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with recruitment@youngminds.org.uk.
About YoungMinds
You’ll be part of a passionate, hardworking team that cares about the work they do and you’ll be part of making a real difference to the lives of children and young people. In addition to becoming part of the YoungMinds team, you’ll get:
- 25 days paid holiday entitlement (plus Bank Holidays)
- three days additional leave over Christmas and New Year
- auto-enrolment onto pension scheme where YoungMinds will match your contribution up to five per cent
- statutory benefits such as parental leave and sick pay
- a wide range of other health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits
- a dedication to continued professional development, training and shared best practice
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