Director of Safeguarding

SAPUK Director of Safeguarding – Formal Professional Job Description 

Suicide Awareness and Prevention UK CIC (SAPUK) 

ABOUT US 

Suicide Awareness Prevention UK (SAPUK) is a non-profit Community Interest Company founded in 2016. We support people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or overwhelming life challenges. Our mission is simple: guide people from crisis toward hope, help them regain their strength and sense of safety, and support them in moving forward with their lives.

We offer a range of free, accessible support services:

• Confidential online chat support for real-time emotional support, active listening, and signposting
• Safe Spaces (online and in-person) where people can talk, decompress, and feel understood
• SAPUK Life Coaches providing structured guidance, confidence-building, and personal development support
• A community Food Pantry offering essential items to individuals and families facing financial hardship
• “I Don’t Know Anyone Either” social events are designed to reduce loneliness and help people build connections
• Events celebrating resilience, hope, and community through creative and awareness-focused activities

 SAPUK is powered solely by volunteers who bring compassion, lived experience, and a shared belief that no one should face their darkest moments alone.

We work together to create safe, inclusive, trauma-informed spaces where everyone feels heard, valued and supported.

JOB DESCRIPTION 

• To act as the principal authority and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for SAPUK, providing strategic leadership, clinical oversight, and robust safety governance across all instant messaging platforms, peer-support networks, and community Safe Spaces.

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership & DSL Governance 

• Act as the official Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and primary point of contact for all safeguarding and child/vulnerable adult protection matters across the organisation.
• Lead the continuous development, review, and execution of SAPUK’s Safeguarding policies, ensuring full compliance with updated UK legislation, local authority guidelines, and regional safety frameworks.
• Maintain a secure, centralized, and confidential log of all safeguarding concerns, actions taken, and outcomes in strict accordance with UK GDPR.

 Frontline Triage & Multi-Agency Escalation 

• Supervise the Safeguarding Administration Volunteers to ensure reporting logs and inboxes are triaged safely, efficiently, and within critical timeframes.
• Provide decisive direction as the ultimate escalation point for complex, high-risk safeguarding alerts arising from frontline services, including service-users experiencing profound crisis or imminent risk.
• Coordinate and manage formal referrals to external UK public bodies, including Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO), Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH), and emergency services when legal thresholds for disclosure are met.

Training, Safer Recruitment & Volunteer Support 

• Define and standardise the safeguarding training requirements for all Remote Chat Volunteers, ensuring clear boundaries regarding disclosures, crisis management, and safe data handling.
• Oversee the safeguarding aspect of safer recruitment, ensuring all active volunteers have passed the required checks, including valid Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) assessments.
• Provide expert advice and debriefing support to volunteers handling distressing disclosures, fostering a healthy internal culture of safety, self-care, and support.

 ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Must reside in the UK
• Must have own laptop to work from
• 18+
• Must be able to commit to 6 hours a week
• Must send in CV and cover letter with application form
• DBS check
• Qualifications & Training: Must hold current, advanced DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) Training certification (Level 3 or higher). A professional background in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, or Education is highly desirable.
• Experience: Proven senior experience managing safeguarding portfolios, complex crisis casework, or acting as a DSL/Deputy DSL within the UK charity, mental health, social care, or public sector.
• Crisis Competency: Exceptional knowledge of suicide intervention protocols, self-harm escalation pathways, and risk assessment workflows.
• Legal Literacy: Solid, working grasp of the Care Act 2014, Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children guidelines, and UK GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018 relative to confidential emergency disclosures.
• Temperament: A calm, methodical, and emotionally resilient professional capable of giving clear, legally compliant directions under intense pressure.

 DESIRABLE 

• Professional Background: A professional qualification or active registration in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, or Psychotherapy.
• Digital Safeguarding: Experience overseeing safeguarding protocols specifically tailored for online chat lines, text services, or virtual support communities.
• Agency Connections: Pre-existing working relationships with UK multi-agency networks (e.g., MASH teams, local NHS trusts, or community mental health teams).
• Policy Writing: Experience writing or auditing organisational safeguarding policies to comply with Care Quality Commission (CQC) or local commission standards.

 PERSON SPECIFICATION 

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Clear and professional communication
• Understanding of safeguarding principles and escalation thresholds
• Confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive information
• Calm and composed under pressure
• Good organisational skills
• Non-judgemental and empathetic approach
• Reliability and consistency
• Ability to work collaboratively with other departments

We require CV and a Cover Letter

Two references will be required

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH SAPUK? 

Volunteering with SAPUK isn’t just about filling a role - it’s about stepping forward when people need support most and gaining personal and professional benefits along the way.

Key Benefits 

• Practical experience for your CV
• A step towards coaching, counselling, advocacy, or social care
• Confidence and personal growth
• Transferable skills such as communication, empathy, problem-solving, and leadership
• Networking and strong references
• Purpose and belonging within a supportive team

 Training and Development 

• Free role-specific induction and training
• Ongoing guidance, supervision, and check-ins
• Opportunities to take responsibility and develop your skills further

 Wellbeing & Support 

• Mental health guidance and resources
• Peer support and check-ins
• Wellness workshops (mindfulness, resilience, self-care)
• A safe, supportive environment where asking for help is encouraged

 Career and Progression Benefits 

• Leadership, mentor, or senior volunteer opportunities
• Experience that strengthens job or education applications
• Clearer direction for a career in mental health, advocacy, coaching, or related sectors
• Opportunities to gain strong references

 IS VOLUNTEERING RIGHT FOR YOU? 

Volunteering may be right for you if you:

• Want to make a genuine difference
• Care about mental health and suicide prevention
• Are looking for personal growth or experience
• Value compassion, respect, and teamwork

 APPLY AND START YOUR JOURNEY

We’re currently welcoming new volunteers and would love to hear from you.

Next Steps:

• Complete the application form and attach your CV and cover letter
• Review the role information
• Our team will be in touch to guide you through the process

 Questions? Email: volunteer@suicideapuk.co.uk

By volunteering, you gain real experience, develop skills, and help save lives.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.