PEAK Care & Education / Level 3 / ST1030

Safeguarding Support Officer

Become the trained first point of contact for safeguarding concerns in your organisation. Twelve months of hands-on learning built around your own policies, systems and cases, then end-point assessment with NQual.

Employers: enquire now Learners: find out more

12months of learning
Plus end-point assessment

interactive sessions: 14
1:1 coaching sessions: 12
group supervisions: 11
progress reviews: 4
hours of paid learning: 350+

How the programme works

Learn it. Put it to work.

Live, interactive workshops, coaching and workplace learning. About 7 hours of learning each week in paid working time.

Workshops

Fourteen live sessions of up to 3 hours: induction, 12 workshops and a Prevent session. Real scenarios, simulations and practice with real tools.

Coaching

90 minutes with your coach every month to apply learning, build your portfolio and practise assessment.

Group supervision

90 minutes every month from month 2 to talk through cases with your cohort.

Support all the way

Wellbeing support in every session, a private room in every workshop and a support plan if needed.

What makes PEAK different

Safe to practise

Induction covers confidentiality, communication and routes for raising a concern.

Taught by practitioners

Coaching and supervision are led by PEAK’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, using examples from practice.

Assessment ready

Practise your presentation in every session, with a full mock assessment in month 12.

From first steps to gateway

Your 12-month journey

Download Safeguarding Support Officer programme guide (PDF)

12 months of learning; end-point assessment in months 13–15. Monthly coaching, practical learning and regular reviews keep you moving forward.

Before week 1

Ready to start

Enhanced DBS confirmed.
Employer safeguarding review with Kate Slee.
Initial assessment, skills scan, training plan and first meeting with your coach.

Your employerName a workplace mentor, confirm DBS and arrange access to your DSL, policies and systems.

Month 1

Foundations of safeguarding and the SSO role

Safe to practise.
Foundations of safeguarding and the SSO role.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.

Your employerShare policies and recording access; arrange 3 hours shadowing your DSL.

Month 2

Legislation, policy and codes of conduct

Legislation, policy and codes of conduct.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.
90-minute group supervision.

Your employerShare your full policy suite.

Month 3

Person-centred communication

Person-centred communication.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.
90-minute group supervision.
Progress review in week 12.

Your employerArrange an observed conversation and join review 1.

Month 4

Recording, storing and sharing information

Recording, storing and sharing information.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.
90-minute group supervision.

Your employerConfirm recording systems and your data protection lead.

Month 5

Recognising and responding: triage, risk and the safeguarding process

Recognising and responding: triage, risk and the safeguarding process.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.
90-minute group supervision.
Case review 1 signed off.

Your employerShare thresholds; your DSL signs off case review 1.

Month 6

Radicalisation, risk assessment and referral

Escalation, allegations and whistleblowing.
Radicalisation, risk assessment and referral.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.
90-minute group supervision.
Progress review in week 24.

Your employerShare allegations and Prevent documents; join review 2.

Month 7

Multi-agency working, referrals and caseloads

Multi-agency working, referrals and caseloads.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.
90-minute group supervision.
Case review 2 signed off.

Your employerInvolve the learner in referrals; your DSL signs off case review 2.

Month 8

Safeguarding reviews, audits and using data

Safeguarding reviews, audits and using data.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.
90-minute group supervision.

Your employerInvolve the learner in an audit or inspection preparation.

Month 9

Supervision, reflective practice and wellbeing

Supervision, reflective practice and wellbeing.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.
90-minute group supervision.
Progress review in week 36.
Registered with NQual.

Your employerAgree the presentation focus and join review 3.

Month 10

Safeguarding culture, supporting victims and compassionate care

Safeguarding culture, supporting victims and compassionate care.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.
90-minute group supervision.

Your employerShare support services for individuals and staff.

Month 11

Advising, training and supporting colleagues

Advising, training and supporting colleagues.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.
90-minute group supervision.
First full EPA presentation draft.

Your employerProvide a training session to co-deliver.

Month 12

Theory to practice, CPD and EPA readiness

Theory to practice, CPD and EPA readiness.
90-minute 1:1 coaching.
90-minute group supervision.
Progress review in week 48.
Full mock EPA, then gateway.

Your employerJoin mock assessment feedback and review 4; confirm impact and gateway.

The next step

End-point assessment

In months 13–15, NQual independently assesses a 45-minute presentation with questions and a 60-minute professional discussion underpinned by your portfolio. The overall result is graded pass, merit or distinction.

What you will learn

Practical skills. Real progress.

Induction · Month 1

Safe to practise

Confidentiality, a person-centred first response and your organisation’s reporting routes.

Workshop 1 · Month 1

Foundations of safeguarding and the SSO role

Safeguarding for children and adults, types of concern and the process from concern to outcome.

Workshop 2 · Month 2

Legislation, policy and codes of conduct

Use safeguarding law, statutory guidance and local policy to advise colleagues within your role.

Workshop 3 · Month 3

Person-centred communication

Adapt communication to people’s views, feelings and cultural influences.

Workshop 4 · Month 4

Recording, storing and sharing information

Secure and lawful recording, storage, sharing and maintenance of safeguarding logs.

Workshop 5 · Month 5

Recognising and responding: triage, risk and the safeguarding process

Assess initial risk, prioritise concerns and recommend a course of action.

Workshop 6 · Month 6

Escalation, allegations and whistleblowing

Escalate complex cases, challenge decisions and report allegations about staff confidentially.

Prevent · Month 6

Radicalisation, risk assessment and referral

Recognise radicalisation, understand the Prevent duty, assess risk and make a referral.

Workshop 7 · Month 7

Multi-agency working, referrals and caseloads

Prepare comprehensive referrals and manage caseloads with the wider team.

Workshop 8 · Month 8

Safeguarding reviews, audits and using data

Use data, learn from safeguarding reviews and prepare for inspections and audits.

Workshop 9 · Month 9

Supervision, reflective practice and wellbeing

Reflective practice, peer support, personal safety and your own wellbeing.

Workshop 10 · Month 10

Safeguarding culture, supporting victims and compassionate care

Build a safeguarding culture and connect people with practical, emotional and wellbeing support.

Workshop 11 · Month 11

Advising, training and supporting colleagues

Help colleagues follow policy and design and deliver safeguarding training.

Workshop 12 · Month 12

Theory to practice, CPD and EPA readiness

Evaluate your development and complete your portfolio and presentation for gateway.

Progress together

The employer’s part

Each month has one clear employer action linked to the workshop. Protect learning time and support access to your safeguarding team.

For employers

A trained first point of contact, learning on your policies and systems.
Safeguarding reviews at the start and month 12, forming an impact report.
One clear monthly action linked to each workshop, and reviews in weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48.
A named Account Manager for your organisation.

Your next qualification

What you’ll achieve

Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer apprenticeship (ST1030)

For learners

A named coach and 90-minute monthly 1:1, plus group supervision.
About 7 hours of learning each week in paid working hours.
Two case reviews and a portfolio built from your organisation.
Skills to triage, record, share, refer and escalate concerns, including allegations about staff.
Confidence to advise and train colleagues and prepare for inspections and audits.
Develop fairness, compassion, discretion, integrity, resilience and professionalism.

Funding for employers

Make the investment clear.

Maximum funding: £7,000. For eligible apprenticeship starts in England from 1 August 2026.

Training and assessment costs, up to the funding band maximum
Your situation	Apprentice aged 16–24	Apprentice aged 25+
You don’t pay the levy	Fully funded	You pay 5%
You pay the levy	From your levy funds	From your levy funds
Levy payer, funds used up	Fully funded	You pay 25%

Non-levy employers may also qualify for a hiring payment of up to £2,000 for eligible new apprentices aged 16–24 starting from 1 October 2026. Eligibility conditions apply.

Where recognised prior learning shortens the programme, the price is reduced to match.

We confirm eligibility, costs and any contribution before enrolment. Employers meet any agreed costs above the funding band. Read the government’s funding guidance ↗

Your next step