At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the safeguarding team to protect children and vulnerable adults through effective case management.
- Company: Be part of the Church of England Birmingham, promoting safety and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, flexible working hours, and generous holiday leave.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth and collaboration with various agencies.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in safeguarding while working in a supportive and diverse environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding and strong organisational skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 31200 - 31200 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Diocese of Birmingham's Safeguarding Team as a Diocesan Safeguarding Caseworker. The role is central to ensuring that children, young people, and adults at risk are safeguarded through the effective management of safeguarding concerns, the provision of trauma-informed support, and collaborative working with clergy, parishes, statutory agencies, and partner organisations. Working within the Church of England's safeguarding policies and national standards, you will contribute to creating a culture where safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of ministry, ensuring concerns are managed with professionalism, compassion, and accountability.
As a Diocesan Safeguarding Caseworker, you will:
- Triage and assess concerns, escalating when required
- Plan work effectively to ensure concerns are dealt with promptly and appropriately
- Support victims and survivors with sensitivity, dignity, and care
- Work closely with the diocesan safeguarding team to ensure robust, defensible decision-making and handling of concerns
- Contribute to the safe management of individuals who may pose a risk to others
This role is varied, meaningful, and ideal for a safeguarding professional who thrives in a complex context.
Key Responsibilities
- Safeguarding Casework
- Triage and assess safeguarding enquiries, concerns and referrals, escalating when required
- Work within the National Safeguarding Standards Framework and the Managing Allegations Code of Practice
- Support clergy and parish safeguarding officers through safeguarding enquiries and investigations
- Maintain high-quality, legally robust records in line with Church of England guidance
- Complete Risk Assessments of individuals about whom there are safeguarding concerns
- At the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer's request, undertake risk assessments or safety plans for individuals where there are, or have been concerns about their behaviour towards children or adults at risk, where they have convictions for offences against children or adults at risk or where they have a blemished DBS disclosure.
- Partnership Working
- Liaise and collaborate with statutory agencies in the UK
- Information share in accordance with CofE policy
- Engagement with national and regional network of diocesan safeguarding officers and relevant local ecumenical or multi-faith forums as well as (when work allows) building relationships with statutory agencies including safeguarding boards, social services, LADO and police.
- Policy, Practice & Assurance
- Support the implementation of CofE policy (guidance, codes of practice and frameworks)
- Other
- Take directions from the Diocesan Safeguarding Officers as required
- Actively participate in team duties as part of the wider safeguarding and diocesan teams, and contribute to wider safeguarding initiatives
- The ability to travel independently across the breadth of the diocese, on occasion to locations without public transport links
- Supporting training activity on occasion at the direction of the DSO when required
Person Specification
About You
You are a confident, reflective, experienced safeguarding practitioner who manages complex and sensitive situations with professionalism and care.
Essential Experience and Knowledge
- Experience managing complex safeguarding concerns involving the statutory response to the protection of children/adults
- Experience working with relevant statutory agencies (i.e. children’s services, adult social care, police)
- Experience contributing to statutory risk assessments and safety planning
- A proven track record of working with integrity, discretion, and respect for confidentiality
- Experience in safer recruitment, risk management, or safeguarding agreements
- Excellent judgement and ability to make defensible, proportionate decisions
- Ability to remain calm and empathetic in challenging situations
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple pieces of work
- Team-oriented with the ability to work independently
- Reflective, self-aware, and committed to ongoing development
- Ability and willingness to travel across the length and breadth of the Diocese.
Qualifications
- Professional qualification or qualified by experience in safeguarding, from a social care, education, health, or related field
- Minimum 5 years of safeguarding practice
- Enhanced DBS (or equivalent) & right to work in the UK
- Experience safeguarding within a faith-based or voluntary setting
- Knowledge of Church of England safeguarding frameworks
- Experience delivering safeguarding training or contributing to audits
- Current knowledge of DBS processes and legislation
Terms & Conditions
- Salary and Pension: £31,200 per annum plus membership of the Church Workers Pension Scheme.
- Contract: Fixed-term for 2 years
- Hours: Part-time, 28 hours per week
- Holidays: Five weeks annual leave, plus Bank Holidays pro-rata
- Closing Date: 3rd September 2026
- Interviews to be In-person: 16th September 2026
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community: a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work. We welcome applications from any individuals who feel they meet the person specification for this post, particularly those who are currently under-represented within our staff teams, including people from Global Majority Heritage and UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQI+. We offer a range of inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and wellbeing support for our staff teams. The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All appointments to roles undertaking regulated activity are subject to pre-appointment checks, including references and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check complete with barred list.
Diocesan Safeguarding Caseworker in Birmingham employer: Cofebirmingham
Cofebirmingham is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and vibrant work culture that values the contributions of its staff in fostering community spirit. With opportunities for personal and professional growth, particularly in a role that directly impacts church life in Selly Park, employees can find meaningful and rewarding experiences while working alongside a dedicated team of like-minded individuals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Diocesan Safeguarding Caseworker in Birmingham
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Cofebirmingham.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Cofebirmingham!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Cofebirmingham, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Cofebirmingham or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Diocesan Safeguarding Caseworker in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Cofebirmingham:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cofebirmingham! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cofebirmingham
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
