Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

Job Summary

Work as a team to support the Diocese of London in safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults in line with both UK legislation and House of Bishops Guidance. Responds well to safeguarding allegations and concerns, management of risk and making the church a safer place in line with the Church of England National Safeguarding Standards.

Job responsibilities

Casework

• Respond to concerns and allegations of harm, working with statutory agencies; and protection of those who work with children and vulnerable adults in line of the House of Bishops Guidance.

• Acting as a contact point for those in church and statutory agencies, provide advice on all safeguarding matters, ensuring the DST is operating in line with the law, government guidance and national practice guidance from the House of Bishops. Ensure that safeguarding procedures are carried out throughout the process, with appropriate liaison with statutory agencies.

• Ensure appropriate support for alleged victims and their families and respondents and their families, throughout an investigation and thereafter.

• Maintain practices standards in all case work, ensuring five key principles underpin all adult safeguarding work, human rights and have due regard to mental capacity and acting in the best interests of those in need of support. Supporting practice and policy development around case management safeguarding processes.

• Work with individuals who come to our attention to ensure appropriate risk assessment and risk management plans to set boundaries within a church setting; for those who are convicted of an offence, or where there are continuing unresolved concerns regarding risks to others.

• Work with statutory agencies, including attending appropriate strategy meetings, case conferences as arranged by statutory agencies or requested by the Casework Manager or Head of Safeguarding.

• Ensure that referrals to the DBS for barring from work with children or vulnerable adults and reports to the Charities Commission are submitted in line with statutory guidance.

• Ensure that the Bishop of London, area Bishop, Archdeacon and Head of Safeguarding and Case Work Manager are always informed when an allegation of abuse is made against a church officer. To manage case work within legal parameters and in line with the House of Bishops Guidelines.

General

• Provide professional safeguarding advice and undertake pro-active relationship management to ensure parishes and worshipping communities are aware of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children and adults who may be at risk of abuse or neglect; to keep them abreast of policy and practice developments.

• Under the direction of the Safer Churches Programme Manager to undertake strategic safeguarding projects and improvement work including polices and projects in line with identified business needs and operational plans. Developing initiatives to support the effective implementation across your designated area in order to ensure excellent safeguarding practices across the Diocese.

• Understand and implement, where necessary, information sharing protocols.

• Assess risk and advise on safer recruitment with the use of the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Training and Professional Development

• Deliver where required training including bespoke inputs when gaps are identified and the Parish Safeguarding Officer Induction package.

• Undertake as appropriate continuing training and professional development in the safeguarding field.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for the full details on the main responsibilities.

Person Specification

Essential

• A social work qualification recognised by the Health and Care Professional Council, or a similar qualification in a related area/profession, or experience.

• Specific training in a variety of aspects of child or adult safeguarding.

• Experience of working with a range of statutory and non-statutory organisations in managing or contributing to safeguarding, including managing allegations against people in positions of trust and the management of those who may pose a risk.

• Experience of a fast-paced environment with ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and the ability to manage your own time/priorities.

• Knowledge of Safeguarding adults and children policy, procedures and legislation and experience of child and/or adult safeguarding work as a practitioner.

• Practitioner experience of working with victims or survivors of abuse, including adults with mental health issues.

• Practitioner experience of working with perpetrators of any form of abuse.

• Knowledge and experience of recognition of risk, risk assessment and risk management and the ability to contribute to multi-agency risk meetings. Knowledge of processes such as MAPPA, MARAC and PREVENT.

• Excellent listening and communication skills and strong verbal communications skills and ability to produce clear written records and reports.

• Have exceptional people skills and the ability to build positive partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders.

• Ability to work sensitively with survivors, those who are subject to allegations and/or those that may pose a risk.

• In sympathy with the aims of the Church of England.

• Right to work in the UK.

• The person will require an enhanced DBS check.

Desirable

• Some understanding of Church of England structures and experience of working with the Church or other faith groups in respect of safeguarding children and/or adults who may be vulnerable

Please refer to the attached Job Description for the full details on Person Specification.

About the London Diocesan Fund

The London Diocesan Fund (LDF) is the employment body that serves and supports the Diocese of London and Church of England. The Diocese of London comprises of c400 parishes north of the River Thames and within the M25 motorway.

The Church of England in London is growing, vibrant and at the heart of communities throughout the capital. At the London Diocesan Fund, we seek to do everything we can to support this mission and growth, using our resources to help our parishes and chaplains to serve over 4 million people.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Diocese of London is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community.

We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME), women, and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.

Safeguarding

The Diocese of London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Benefits of working with us

The LDF offers a supportive working environment, opportunity for career development and the following financial benefits:

• Competitive remuneration package

• 27 annual leave days to rise to 30 after 5 years service, plus bank holidays

• 15% employer pension contribution and salary sacrifice available

• Death in service benefit x3 of basic gross salary

• Enhanced maternity leave of six months full pay, after 12 months of employment

• Season ticket loans for public transport

• Access to Benenden Health Insurance

• EAP counselling through Health Assured

• Up to £100 for eye test and contribution to spectacles

• Two additional paid days for community volunteering