At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding practices and manage complex cases to ensure community safety.
- Company: Join a supportive Diocese committed to safeguarding and community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days leave, flexible hours, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in protecting vulnerable individuals across Sussex.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 49536 - 49536 £ per year.
The Diocese is seeking an experienced and committed safeguarding professional to join the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.
Position: 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 employer: Not For Profit People
The Diocese of Sussex is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment that prioritises the wellbeing of its employees. With a strong commitment to safeguarding and community service, staff benefit from generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development, all while working in a collaborative culture that values respect and inclusion.
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 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
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly:Before you start your application, make sure to read the job description carefully. It’s crucial to understand what the Diocese is looking for in a Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer so you can tailor your application accordingly.
Showcase Your Experience:Highlight your relevant safeguarding experience and qualifications in your application. We want to see how your background aligns with the key duties mentioned, especially your casework experience and collaboration with statutory agencies.
Be Authentic and Reflective:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! Share your passion for safeguarding and how it aligns with the values of the Church of England. We appreciate authenticity and a reflective approach.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! This ensures that we receive all your details correctly and can process your application smoothly. We’re excited to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Not For Profit People
✨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 vulnerable individuals.
✨Align with the Diocesan Values
Research the Diocese's mission and values, and think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be prepared to discuss why you're passionate about safeguarding and how you can contribute to a supportive and respectful culture within the organisation.
