Safeguarding Adult Practitioner - 25 hours per week

Starting salary for this role is £44,075 (pro rata for part-time colleagues)

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.

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.