At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts to protect children and vulnerable adults across the Diocese.
- Company: Join the Diocese of Chichester, committed to safeguarding and community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and collaboration with various stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in safeguarding practices and support diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding casework and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 49536 - 49536 £ per year.
The Diocese of Chichester is seeking an experienced and committed safeguarding professional to join our Diocesan Safeguarding Team as Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer. This is a pivotal leadership role, offering an opportunity to shape and strengthen safeguarding practice across a large and diverse diocese. You will play a key part in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults, while supporting parishes, clergy and diocesan colleagues to uphold the highest safeguarding standards. If you are passionate about safeguarding and want to play a key role in protecting and supporting communities across Sussex, we would love to hear from you.
You will:
- Lead and manage safeguarding casework across the Diocese, ensuring compliance with national Church of England safeguarding standards and statutory guidance.
- Provide line management and supervision to the team of Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers.
- Oversee triage, risk assessment and allocation of safeguarding referrals.
- Manage complex and high-risk cases, working collaboratively with statutory agencies such as police, social care and probation services.
- Ensure high-quality case recording, quality assurance and continuous improvement of safeguarding practices.
- Act as the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer in the absence of the Director of Safeguarding.
- Contribute to training, policy development and the promotion of a strong safeguarding culture.
This role involves regular collaboration with clergy, parish safeguarding officers, senior church leaders and external partners across the Diocese.
What We’re Looking For:
We are seeking a highly skilled safeguarding professional who can demonstrate:
- Significant safeguarding casework experience and strong knowledge of legislation and best practice.
- Experience working with victims, survivors and those who pose risk, and partnering with statutory agencies.
- Proven ability to embed good safeguarding practice.
- Strong leadership, risk assessment and communication skills.
- Ability to manage complex cases, quality assure work and maintain confidentiality.
- High integrity, resilience and sound judgement.
- Reflective, collaborative and committed to equality and inclusion.
- Alignment with the values of the Church of England.
What we offer:
- A salary of £49,536 per annum.
- 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and two privilege days per year.
- Flexi-time and the opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home for part of the week.
- Membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a 15.1% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 0-6%.
- Employee Assistance Programme with access to GP appointments, counselling and financial and legal support.
- Free parking, and the ride to work scheme and development opportunities.
The post involves travel across the Diocese and occasional evening/weekend work (with Time Off In Lieu). Chichester DBF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment and to comply with the relevant safeguarding policy. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer employer: Church of England
The Diocese of Chichester is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the safety and wellbeing of communities across Sussex. With a commitment to employee growth through training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working arrangements, we ensure our staff can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in safeguarding practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the safeguarding field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Diocese of Chichester and its safeguarding practices. Show us that you’re not just passionate about safeguarding, but that you understand the specific challenges and values of the organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions related to safeguarding. We want to see how you handle complex cases and your approach to collaboration with statutory agencies. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in safeguarding. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for and how you fit the bill.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills align with the role. Share specific examples of your casework experience and how you've managed complex situations in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your writing is easy to read. This will help us see your key points without getting lost in the details.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application via our website before the deadline. It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Church of England
✨Know Your Safeguarding Standards
Make sure you’re well-versed in the national Church of England safeguarding standards and statutory guidance. Brush up on recent changes or updates, as this will show your commitment and knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing safeguarding casework. Think about specific situations where you’ve led a team or made critical decisions, as this role requires strong leadership abilities.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience working with various stakeholders, including clergy and statutory agencies. Share instances where you’ve successfully collaborated to manage complex cases, as this will illustrate your ability to work within a diverse environment.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusion
Reflect on how you’ve promoted equality and inclusion in your previous roles. This is crucial for the Diocese of Chichester, so prepare to articulate your values and how they align with the Church’s mission during the interview.
