We are seeking a passionate, resilient, and student-focused Welfare & Safeguarding Officer (WSO) to join our dedicated Welfare & Safeguarding Team. This rewarding role is central to supporting learners to overcome barriers to their education, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and able to achieve their full potential throughout their time at College.

As a Welfare & Safeguarding Officer, you will act as the first point of contact for learners requiring welfare or safeguarding support, providing timely advice, guidance, and short-term interventions. As a Designated Safeguarding Officer on campus, you will respond to safeguarding concerns, assess risk, and escalate matters appropriately, working closely with curriculum teams, external agencies, and other support services to ensure the best outcomes for learners.

The successful candidate will have experience of working with vulnerable young people and a strong understanding of safeguarding legislation and pastoral support. You will be an excellent communicator with the ability to build positive relationships with learners, colleagues, parents/carers, and external partners, demonstrating empathy, resilience, and sound professional judgement in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.

We are looking for an organised and proactive individual who holds a Level 3 (or higher) qualification in a relevant subject area, together with Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths. A Level 4 qualification in teaching, youth work, social work, or learner support would be advantageous but is not essential.

The Role:

Where you’ll work: The role is based at the Dartford campus

Your hours: 37 hours per week, 40 weeks per annum

Your pay: £23,924.21 pro rata per annum + £4,464.39 holiday pay (£31,187 full-time equivalent)

The College:

North Kent College (including Hadlow College) is proudly rated as an Ofsted ‘Good’ provider, with ‘Outstanding’ learner behaviours and attitudes (April 2024). With four campuses across Kent (Dartford, Gravesend, Hadlow and Tonbridge) and over 6,000 students, we strive to equip the young people who study here with an inclusive and innovative education experience to enhance their future career prospects, which, as noted by Ofsted, is supported through our high-quality, industry standard facilities. Each and every staff member plays a key part in delivering the success of our learners’ experience, and we want those who join our curriculum and support teams to share our passion in achieving this.

The Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary, you can expect the following benefits at NKC:

Enrolment onto the People’s Partnership pension scheme (as part of the staff of North Kent College Business Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of North Kent College).
Access to free parking and a number of onsite facilities, including gyms, restaurants and coffee shops.
CPD days and access to several discount memberships through being an employee at a College.

How to Apply:

If this sounds like the next role for you, please visit the North Kent College staff vacancies page to see the full job description and apply.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 26th August 2026.

Please note, interviews are due to take place Friday 04th September 2026. 

North Kent College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and all staff have a responsibility to share and maintain this commitment. In line with the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, appropriate safeguarding checks (including an enhanced DBS check) will be undertaken on all individuals selected for appointment. Posts at the College, a specified establishment where the work gives opportunity for contact with children, are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. It is an offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. Please be advised that, again in line with ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, shortlisted candidates (who wish to accept an invite to interview) will be required to complete and submit prior to their interview a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Further guidance / information from the Ministry of Justice can be found on GOV.UK.