Transitional Safeguarding Practitioner

This is an exciting time to join the Adult Safeguarding Team as we continue to develop increased flexibility and specialist practice within the service. We are creating a new part‑time (24 hours a week)
Transitional Safeguarding Adult Practitioner role to provide focused expertise at the critical point where young people move from children’s services into adulthood, ensuring safeguarding responsibilities are effectively managed and risks are appropriately identified and addressed.

The Transitional Safeguarding Adult Practitioner will play a key role within the team, supporting high‑quality safeguarding practice for young people approaching adulthood who may be at risk of abuse or neglect. The role will contribute to the development of knowledge and skills across the safeguarding service and work closely with colleagues across Children’s Services, Adult Social Care, Health, Education and community partners to provide advice, guidance and support where there are safeguarding concerns during transition.

We are a supportive and nurturing team with a clear vision of embedding high‑quality, person‑centred safeguarding practice to protect adults at risk of, or experiencing, abuse or neglect across Dorset.

There is increasing complexity in safeguarding concerns during transition, particularly for young people with disabilities, additional needs, care experience, or complex family circumstances. This requires a co‑ordinated, multi‑agency approach to ensure that safeguarding arrangements are seamless, timely and responsive, enabling young people to achieve positive outcomes as they move into adulthood.

You will act as a key point of contact for safeguarding advice and guidance relating to transition
, supporting early planning, preventative approaches, and where appropriate, the coordination and oversight of Section 42 enquiries once individuals reach adulthood. You will also support effective information‑sharing and joint working between children’s and adult services.

The principles of Making Safeguarding Personal are central to this role. You will work alongside young people and, where appropriate, their families and networks, ensuring their views, wishes and outcomes are central to safeguarding decision‑making throughout their transition journey.

The role involves close partnership working with key stakeholders, including Children’s Services, Health providers, Education, the Police, Care Quality Commission, and the voluntary and community sector
.

We offer regular professional supervision
, hybrid and flexible working arrangements, and opportunities to develop specialist safeguarding expertise within a culture of trust, learning and respect.

• A strong commitment to a strengths‑based approach with customers and employees.
• A vibrant, positive, and high‑achieving workforce.
• Regular reflective supervision to support Continuous Professional Development.
• Robust learning and development opportunities, including mentoring, coaching, RIPFA courses, Community Care Inform, and internal training.
• Career development pathways.
• Access to wellbeing services and support.
• Generous relocation and retention packages.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• A minimum of 27 days’ holiday, with the option to purchase more.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, including working from home.
• There is an expectation that workers will be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week.

Salary includes three additional labour market increments (LMI’s) which are awarded on a temporary basis and are subject to regular (usually bi‑annual) review in accordance with our labour market adjustment scheme. LMI’s can be subject to change with due notice and with time limited protections if a review results in amendment or withdrawal.

You will be a dynamic, experienced social worker with a strong value base and sense of person‑centred practice who can use a strengths‑based approach.

You will be required to have previous experience of working with individuals who self‑neglect and adult safeguarding.

You will have excellent communication skills, enjoy working in a fast‑paced environment, have a flexible approach and be able to…