Residential Safeguarding Officer

The post holder will be the responsible staff presence in student residences both within and outside of normal office hours, assisting with the challenges faced by residential students e.g. behaviour, safety, security, health. Signposting and raising concerns as appropriate for more complex issues e.g. emotional and possible mental health issues. The post-holder will have safeguarding responsibilities under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act.

The post holder will be expected to follow written policy and procedure guidance but also to show an appropriate level of initiative and problem-solving ability, with advice and decision-making back-up from a manager (via telephone, if out with normal office hours) when necessary. The main elements of the role are safeguarding and welfare, signposting issues to appropriate internal sources of support, first aid provision, ensuring emergency services are called, when necessary, security of the premises, behaviour and discipline management, encouraging a harmonious residential life and assisting with social and sporting events.

There is also an element of short report writing in the role in relation to safeguarding concern reporting and reporting of disciplinary and other types of incidents.

The post holder will face a range of issues that require an immediate response and/or an immediate requirement to call on other sources of support e.g. first aid, fire alarms, intruder alarms, challenging behaviour, noise complaints, complaints/disputes between residents, distressed students, drunkenness, maintenance issues such as power outages, floods, spillages.

The post-holder will be expected to deal with, mitigate the impact of, or refer on a wide range of unforeseen student problems that will arise, not all of which will be covered by policy and procedure guidance, therefore a balanced, mature, common-sense problem-solving approach is required.

Above all the post holders must develop a professional working relationship with residential students, balancing authority and positive influence with approachability, and must have empathy with the residential student experience.

The ideal candidate should be educated to SCQF level 5 or above and have a first aid qualification., Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

SRUC owns and manages two campus residential sites. These are, Oatridge and Barony (Parkgate near Dumfries). Barony campus is set within a working 260-hectare estate, situated in the rolling landscape of Dumfries and Galloway in Southwest Scotland.

SRUC Barony, Dumfries has two hostels each offering 16 single study bedrooms. Each hostel has central facilities including tea and coffee making, fridge, microwave and television. Shower rooms are communal.

Kirkmichael House is a converted 18th century manor house. On the upper floors there are 27 bedrooms, offering both twin and single accommodation, mostly en-suite.

Students can live in the College's residential accommodation from the age of 16, and the College has legal obligations to protect and safeguard young people., SRUC Leading the way in Agricultural and Rural Research, Education & Consultancy.
SRUC is committed to valuing Diversity, advancing Equality and respecting Human Rights throughout the organisation and encouraging applications from disabled people using the "Disability Confident Employer" symbol. SRUC is a member of the Athena SWAN charter.
SRUC. A Charitable company limited by guarantee, SC003712. Registered in Scotland No SC103046

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. If you are a migrant worker you will need to ensure you have an appropriate visa to evidence the necessary right to work in the UK.

Admin ref: CFPS/CES/015/24

Why work for SRUC?

• Generous annual leave


• Enhanced pension contributions (5% employee and 10% employer)


• Cycle to work scheme


• Discounted RAC Membership


• Generous family leave


• Flexible working patterns


• Hybrid working solutions (in some areas)


• Tailored investment in and individuals' learning and development