At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding practices and support communities across Sussex.
- Company: Join a respected Diocese committed to safety and wellbeing.
- Benefits: 28 days leave, flexible hours, remote work options, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on respect, professionalism, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in safeguarding vulnerable individuals and communities.
- Qualifications: Significant safeguarding experience and strong leadership skills required.
The Diocese is seeking an experienced and committed safeguarding professional to join the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.
Location: Hove/Hybrid
Salary: £49,536 per annum
Hours: Full-time (flexi time available)
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 5th July 2026
Interview Date: Hove on 30th July 2026.
About the Role
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.
Key duties include:
- 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.
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.
About You
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.
You can view full details of the job description and person specification when you apply.
About the Organisation
The vision of the Diocese is to help people to know, love and follow Jesus. Based in Hove and serving the people of Sussex across more than 360 parishes and 154 church schools and the wider community, this is a great role for someone who supports the ethos, aims and objectives of the Diocese and the Church of England.
As an employer, and as a team, the mutual values at work are to be Respectful, Professional, Flexible and Supportive.
What is on offer:
- 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.
Our client 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 role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer in Hove employer: Diocese of Chichester
The Diocese offers a supportive and flexible work environment in Hove, where employees are valued for their commitment to safeguarding and community welfare. With a strong emphasis on professional development, generous leave policies, and a collaborative culture, this role as Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer in Hove
✨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 a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the Diocese and its safeguarding practices thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their values and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! During interviews, highlight your leadership and risk assessment abilities. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate how you've successfully managed complex safeguarding cases.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and supporting the safeguarding culture at the Diocese.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer in Hove
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in safeguarding. We want to see how your skills align with the key duties mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've managed teams or projects in the past, and how you’ve contributed to a positive safeguarding culture.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that directly address the requirements of the role without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and is considered promptly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diocese of Chichester
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest safeguarding legislation and best practices. Familiarise yourself with the Church of England's safeguarding standards, as you'll need to demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing safeguarding casework. Think about times when you've led a team or handled complex cases, and be ready to discuss how you ensured compliance and quality assurance.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since this role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Use specific examples to illustrate your communication skills, particularly in high-pressure situations or when working with statutory agencies.
✨Align with Their Values
Research the Diocese's values and ethos, and think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be prepared to discuss your commitment to equality, inclusion, and the safeguarding of vulnerable individuals, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
