At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding practices and support communities in ensuring safety and wellbeing.
- Company: Join a supportive diocese committed to safeguarding and community welfare.
- Benefits: 28 days leave, flexible hours, remote work options, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in safeguarding 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.
Welfare and Safeguarding Officer employer: Not For Profit People
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. Join a team that prioritises respect, professionalism, and inclusivity, making it an excellent employer for those passionate about safeguarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Welfare and 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! Bring examples of your past safeguarding work to the table during interviews. Highlight your leadership and case management experiences to demonstrate your fit for the Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer role.
✨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 you’re serious about joining the team and making a difference in safeguarding.
We think you need these skills to ace Welfare and Safeguarding Officer
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, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a team, it’s important to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or complex cases in the past. We love a good story!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait 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.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your risk assessment and decision-making skills. Practice articulating your thought process and how you would handle various safeguarding situations, especially those involving high-risk cases.
✨Align with Their Values
Research the values of the Diocese and the Church of England. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, particularly around respect, professionalism, flexibility, and supportiveness. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the organisation's culture.
