Assistant Safeguarding Officers

As a key member of the Safeguarding Team, the Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer supports Parishes and the Diocese with safeguarding activities, whilst providing advice and guidance to ensure that the Diocese of Peterborough continues to be a safe place to live, worship and work.

The Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer will be a dynamic and compassionate individual with responsibility for a caseload which is managed in line with the law, national statutory guidance and policy set by the House of Bishops and National Church of England Safeguarding Team.

Safeguarding

Peterborough Diocesan Office with travel required across the Diocese, including occasional work at the Northampton Office. Hybrid working is supported.

Position reports to: Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DDSO)

Length of contract: Permanent.

Safeguarding casework:

• Undertake safeguarding casework on behalf of the Diocese of Peterborough and ensure all work is conducted in adherence to the House of Bishops safeguarding policy and guidance.
• This includes where allegations are made against Church Officers in adherence to the House of Bishops safeguarding policy and guidance.

Risk assessment and monitoring:

• Undertake risk assessments on offenders and those that may pose a risk who want to worship, volunteer or work in churches across our Diocese.
• Compile Safeguarding Agreements in relation to those where a risk is identified; Complete risk assessments of individuals with disclosures on their Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificates.

Safeguarding support, advice and promotion:

• Ensure appropriate pastoral support is arranged for those affected by abuse and/or safeguarding situations as appropriate.
• Offer guidance and advice to parishes on their safeguarding enquiries and referrals.
• Promote good safeguarding practice at all times.
• Work collaboratively to support Parish Support Officers (PSOs) in their parishes and promote good safeguarding practice.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies, both statutory and non-statutory, to ensure that there is an effective safeguarding response to children and vulnerable adults.
• Work collaboratively with the National Safeguarding Team and attend national events and activities as applicable.

Information management:

• Ensure that the principles of GDPR, confidentiality, health and safety and safeguarding are adhered to in all aspects of your work.
• Maintain accurate records of safeguarding activities on the MyConcerns database in accordance with recording protocols and good practice guidance.

Deputising and professional development:

• Deputise and provide cover for other staff in the Safeguarding Team as necessary.
• Engage in professional supervision as part of the Diocese’s commitment to staff welfare.
• Commit to continuous professional development and undertake training to maintain an up-to-date understanding of national and local safeguarding policies and best practice.
• Share and apply this knowledge across the Safeguarding Team and Diocese.
• Work collaboratively with the Safeguarding Team and wider colleagues and undertake other such duties, commensurate with the role, that may be required by the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer or other senior staff.

The role may evolve in line with diocesan priorities, national safeguarding developments, and organisational need.

Qualifications:

• English and Math GCSE (or equivalent) at grade C (level 5) or above.
• Qualifications related to safeguarding children and adults.
• Experience of safeguarding children and/or adults in a voluntary or statutory sector.
• Experience in risk assessment and risk management in relation to offenders/offending behaviours and those that may pose a risk.
• Experience of applying policy, procedure and good practice in relation to the safeguarding of children and/or adults.
• Knowledge of trauma informed practice and experience of applying this to safeguarding work.
• Knowledge of local authority safeguarding processes and statutory frameworks.
• An ability to prioritise work and be flexible to changing team needs and priorities.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, including SharePoint, and competency in using case file databases.

Personal qualities:

• Good organisational and planning skills; demonstrates emotional intelligence.
• Ability to effectively utilise professional supervision.
• Performs all duties in a safe manner, ensuring the safety and well-being of self and others.
• A clear communicator, both verbally and in writing and able to demonstrate diplomacy, sensitivity, and patience.
• Hold a clean driving licence and have access to a private car with insurance for travel on business purposes.

The main place of work will be The Diocesan Office, The Palace, Peterborough, PE1 1YB. The role holder will be required to occasionally work at our Northampton office and attend other parts of the Diocese regularly as part of their role. Hybrid working can be considered.

The post holder will be entitled to time off in lieu of attending meetings outside of office hours.

Holidays: Annual leave of 25 days per year plus public holidays and Christmas/New Year closure (3 days).

Pension: 10% employer non-contributory pension.

DBS: Given the nature of this role an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required.