Address
Form of work
Salary
All applications must be submitted via application form. CV's will not be accepted.
Closing date 26th Feb 2024. Interviews w/c 4th March 2024
Purpose of Post: The Diocesan Safeguarding Officer has responsibility in the diocese for the professional leadership on and management of matters relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
Accountable to: The Diocesan Secretary
Key working relationships: The Bishop of Peterborough and her office, The National Safeguarding Team, The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel, The Archdeacons’ Office, The Diocesan Office, The Cathedral Chapter, The Parishes within the Peterborough Diocese, Relevant Statutory Agencies in the Diocese of Peterborough Area.
THE CONTEXT, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF THIS ROLE
The Diocese of Peterborough is a living, growing network of churches, chaplaincies and schools covering Northamptonshire, the part of Cambridgeshire formerly known as the Soke of Peterborough (i.e. the area of the present day city of Peterborough north of the river Nene) and the County of Rutland. Its total population is c917,000.
The pace of change in safeguarding in the Church of England is high. The final report from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) regarding the Church of England makes safeguarding an absolute priority for us and the wider church. This, along with increased awareness through training and communication, has led to an increase in the number and complexity of safeguarding cases.
We are currently seeking someone with substantial professional expertise in the field of safeguarding to assume a strategic role, playing a pivotal part in shaping and leading our safeguarding function. The successful candidate will be instrumental in the ongoing development of safeguarding in this diocese, ensuring it remains relevant, effective and fit for purpose. As set out in the Canons of the Church of England, the DSO will work independently of the Diocesan Bishop, will be confident in embedding best practice, and in developing a culture to foster the flourishing of those who live work and worship in this diocese, from the small rural communities to the urban centres of Peterborough, Northampton and Rutland. The post holder should be able to provide credible, authoritative advice in relation to casework and to train, coach and support others. You will lead a team of safeguarding professionals, and alongside strong case management skills and experience of leading others you will have high levels of empathy and wisdom and will have a proactive, emotionally intelligent and tactful approach to influencing change and continual development thus embedding a strong safeguarding culture across our c350 parishes, diocesan offices and the Peterborough Cathedral.
Principal Accountabilities - The Diocesan Safeguarding Officer has operational lead authority within the Diocese for the following responsibilities, arranged according to the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Standards, these are:
National Standard 1: Culture, leadership and capacity - Church bodies have safe and healthy cultures, effective leadership, resourcing and scrutiny arrangements necessary to deliver high-quality safeguarding practices and outcomes. The DSO will lead the work on this standard by:
National Standard 2: Prevention - Church bodies have in place a planned range of measures which together are effective in preventing abuse in their context.
National Standard 3: Recognising, Assessing and Managing risk - Risk assessments, safety plans and associated processes are of a high quality and result in positive outcomes. The assessment and management of risk is underpinned by effective partnership working.
National Standard 4:Victims and Survivors - Victims and survivors experience the timeliness and quality of Church bodies' responses to disclosures, and their subsequent support, as positively meeting their needs, including their search for justice and helping their healing process.
National Standard 5: Learning, Supervision and Support - All those engaged in safeguarding-related activity in Church bodies receive the type and level of learning, professional development, support and supervision necessary to respond to safeguarding situations, victims and survivors, and respondents, effectively.
See full job description for more detail and person specificiation
