Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship

Our apprenticeship programmes are delivered through our Spotlight Delivery Model, a flexible approach combining digital learning, personalised coaching and practical workplace application.

Designed to fit around learners’ roles, it supports the development of knowledge, skills and confidence through engaging online learning, expert insight and tailored one-to-one support.

What’s included?

Spotlight Sessions
Interactive digital learning that allows learners to access content flexibly, build knowledge and apply learning directly in their role.

Ask the Expert Podcasts
Industry-led podcasts sharing expert insights, advice and real-world safeguarding practice to support professional development.

Personalised One-to-One Coaching
Regular sessions with a Development Coach, providing tailored guidance, progress reviews and individual support throughout the apprenticeship.

Throughout the programme, you’ll develop:

• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policies and best practice
• Confidence in recognising, recording and responding to safeguarding concerns
• Professional judgement and decision-making skills
• Effective communication with colleagues, families and external agencies
• Skills in referrals, escalation and multi-agency working
• Accurate safeguarding record keeping and information sharing
• Understanding of quality assurance, audits and inspection readiness
• Professional behaviours aligned to the Safeguarding Support Officer apprenticeship standard

You’ll remain employed throughout the apprenticeship, enabling you to apply your learning directly within your workplace while building valuable practical experience.

The Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship is suitable for professionals working in childcare, education and wider safeguarding settings who have safeguarding responsibilities within their role.

Applicants must:

• Be employed in a role with safeguarding responsibilities
• Have opportunities to support safeguarding processes and gather workplace evidence
• Have the right to work in the UK and meet apprenticeship funding eligibility requirements
• Have lived in the UK, EEA or EU for at least the previous three years

Apprentices who are aged 16 to 18 and do not have a Level 2 qualification or equivalent (GCSE grade 4/C), you will be required to work towards achieving these qualifications as part of your apprenticeship. For those aged 19 and above, completing Maths and English (Functional Skills) is optional and not mandatory to complete your apprenticeship. However, this needs to be discussed and agreed upon with your Employer.

For more information about apprenticeship eligibility and entry requirements, visit our Learner Hub article on apprenticeship entry requirements.

Develop your safeguarding expertise while continuing in employment.

Learning includes:

• Spotlight Sessions
• Self-directed digital learning resources
• One-to-one coaching
• Workplace application
• Reflection and professional discussion
• Regular progress reviews
• End-Point Assessment preparation

Throughout the programme you’ll receive ongoing support to help you apply your learning confidently within your safeguarding role.

Assessment is designed to reflect real safeguarding practice within the workplace.

The End-Point Assessment consists of:

• A presentation with questions based on a workplace safeguarding topic or project
• A professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of workplace evidence

Throughout the apprenticeship you’ll build a portfolio demonstrating your achievement of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) required by the apprenticeship standard.

Successful completion of the apprenticeship can support progression into roles including:

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
• Senior Safeguarding Officer
• Safeguarding Coordinator
• Pastoral Lead
• Welfare Manager
• Family Support Team Leader
• Compliance and Quality Assurance roles

The programme helps learners develop the confidence and expertise to take on greater safeguarding responsibilities and support safer outcomes for children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Apprenticeship training costs are typically funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or employer co-investment arrangements. Learners remain employed throughout the programme and continue to earn a salary while completing their apprenticeship.

To learn more about apprenticeship funding and how it works, visit our Apprenticeship Levy guide on the Employer Hub.

The Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship will launch on 1st October 2026.

Applications are not yet open, but learners and employers can register their interest using the button at the top of this page to receive updates on programme availability, enrolment dates and further information.

The Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship is a specialist safeguarding apprenticeship designed for professionals who support safeguarding practice within childcare, education and wider safeguarding settings.

The programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to recognise safeguarding concerns, support referrals, maintain accurate records, work with safeguarding leads and contribute to a positive safeguarding culture.

This safeguarding apprenticeship is suitable for individuals who have safeguarding responsibilities within their role and want to develop their knowledge and confidence in safeguarding practice.

It is ideal for professionals such as:

• Safeguarding Support Officers
• Safeguarding Coordinators
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs)
• Family Support Workers
• Pastoral and Welfare Officers
• Attendance Officers
• Inclusion Officers
• Student Support Officers
• Nursery Managers and Early Years Practitioners with safeguarding responsibilities

The apprenticeship takes 13 months to complete, followed by a 3-month End-Point Assessment (EPA) period – (16 Months in total).

Throughout the programme, learners will combine structured learning with workplace application, allowing them to develop their safeguarding knowledge and apply new skills directly within their role.

To undertake this apprenticeship, learners must:

• Be employed in a role with safeguarding responsibilities
• Have opportunities within their role to apply their learning and gather workplace evidence
• Meet apprenticeship funding eligibility requirements
• Have lived in the UK, EEA or EU for at least the previous three years

Learners aged 16 to 18 and do not have a Level 2 qualification or equivalent (GCSE grade 4/C), you will be required to work towards achieving these qualifications as part of your apprenticeship.

For those aged 19 and above, completing Maths and English (Functional Skills) is optional and not mandatory to complete your apprenticeship. However, this needs to be discussed and agreed upon with your Employer.

For more information, visit our Apprenticeship Entry Requirements guide on the Learner Hub.

Learners aged 16 to 18 and do not have a Level 2 qualification or equivalent (GCSE grade 4/C), you will be required to work towards achieving these qualifications as part of your apprenticeship.

For those aged 19 and above, completing Maths and English (Functional Skills) is optional and not mandatory to complete your apprenticeship. However, this needs to be discussed and agreed upon with your Employer.

Functional Skills are nationally recognised qualifications in Maths and English that help learners develop practical skills used in the workplace and everyday life. These qualifications support areas such as communication, problem-solving, reading, writing and numeracy.

The Childcare Company understands that completing Functional Skills in Maths and English alongside your apprenticeship can feel daunting at first, as well as time consuming. That’s why we provide enhanced support to make the process as straightforward and efficient as possible.

We’ve partnered with Pass Functional Skills (PASS) to give you access to a new, improved online learning platform designed to help you achieve your qualifications more quickly and with greater confidence.

Through this platform, you’ll benefit from a clear and structured learning journey, including a diagnostic assessment to identify your starting point, personalised learning pathways, and high-quality interactive resources. You’ll also have access to bite-sized learning modules, practice questions, mock assessments, and progress tracking tools to help you stay on track.

Alongside this, you will continue to receive support from your tutor or development coach throughout your apprenticeship, ensuring you have guidance, feedback and encouragement at every stage of your Functional Skills journey.

Throughout the programme, learners will develop expertise in key safeguarding areas, including:

• Safeguarding legislation, policies and procedures
• Recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns
• Referrals and escalation processes
• Multi-agency working and partnership approaches
• Safeguarding records, GDPR and information sharing
• Safeguarding audits, reviews and quality assurance
• Professional reflection, supervision and wellbeing

Learners will develop the confidence to support safeguarding processes and contribute to safer outcomes for children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Yes. Apprenticeships are designed to allow learners to continue working while developing new skills and knowledge.

Learners must be employed in a suitable role where they can apply their learning, complete workplace activities and gather evidence linked to safeguarding practice.

The programme is delivered through our Spotlight Delivery Model, a flexible approach combining digital learning, personalised coaching and practical workplace application.

Learners will benefit from:

• Spotlight Sessions – flexible digital learning designed to fit around their role
• Ask the Expert Podcasts – sector insight and real-world safeguarding discussions
• Personalised one-to-one coaching
• Workplace application and progress reviews
• End-Point Assessment preparation support

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) is designed to reflect real safeguarding practice within the workplace.

Learners complete:

• A presentation with questions based on a workplace safeguarding topic or project
• A professional discussion supported by a portfolio of workplace evidence

Learners will build a portfolio throughout the apprenticeship demonstrating their knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Off-the-job training is structured learning that takes place during your paid working hours but is separate from your normal day-to-day duties. You’re required to complete a minimum of six hours per week of this training to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for your apprenticeship. Activities can include online learning, workshops, research, mentoring and other development tasks relevant to your role.

You can also use our Learner Enrichment Calendar to help plan and log suitable off-the-job activities that count towards your training hours, giving you a variety of ways to grow your skills throughout the programme.

All off-the-job training hours must be recorded on your e-portfolio system, Aptem, to ensure your progress is tracked throughout your apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship training costs are typically funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or employer co-investment arrangements.

Learners remain employed throughout the programme and continue to earn a salary while completing their apprenticeship.

For more information about apprenticeship funding, visit our Apprenticeship Levy guide on the Employer Hub.

Upon successful completion, learners will achieve the Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship Standard.

The apprenticeship focuses on developing occupational competence through workplace application, enabling learners to build the skills and behaviours required to confidently support safeguarding practice.

The Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for progression into safeguarding, pastoral, welfare and compliance-focused roles, including:

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
• Senior Safeguarding Officer
• Safeguarding Coordinator
• Pastoral Lead
• Welfare Manager
• Family Support Team Leader
• Compliance and Quality Assurance roles

The apprenticeship helps learners build the confidence and expertise needed to take on greater safeguarding responsibility.

The Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship launches on 1st October 2026.

Applications are not currently open, but learners and employers can register their interest to receive updates about enrolment dates and programme availability.