Safeguarding Officer in Belfast

To contribute to the Christian ministry and mission of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) through the delivery of the duties outlined. To support PCI in ensuring full implementation of a robust child and adult safeguarding approach in Northern Ireland and Ireland. To have oversight of allocated case work for PCI, under the direction and supervision of the Safeguarding Lead. To assist the Safeguarding Lead in developing and delivering the child and adult safeguarding programmes for PCI and the various Councils. To be an active member of the General Assembly’s staff team, contributing to the effective administration of its functions within the ethos of PCI.

Responsibilities

• Drive good practice by implementing, promoting and championing PCI’s child and adult protection policy and procedures across the denomination and externally.
• Respond appropriately to disclosures or concerns which relate to the well-being of a child or adult at risk of harm, and alert and update the Safeguarding Lead and the Head of Safeguarding in a timely manner.
• Work with sensitive information within professional boundaries and the Data Protection Act 2018, maintaining accurate, confidential and up-to-date documentation on all issues regarding safeguarding and providing reports where required.
• Work directly with kirk sessions, presbyteries and congregations in order to strengthen and develop understanding and support for people affected by safeguarding issues, to develop improved responses to situations involving children and adults.
• Ensure that safeguarding practice in individual congregations complies with legislation in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• Attend and participate in Safeguarding Contracting meetings and Contract Review meetings, some of which may take place out of normal working hours, working closely with Kirk Sessions, Ministers and Designated Persons to do so.
• Carry out professional assessments of safeguarding related need and risk in respect of congregational arrangements, incidents or allegations.
• Work within a trauma informed framework in practice with survivors and victims of harm, family members and others involved in situations of safeguarding concern.
• If required, participate in a duty system within the Safeguarding Department.
• Collate and produce reports, statistical and other information for the PCI Safeguarding Lead and other bodies internally as required, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Ensure appropriate confidentiality is maintained within safeguarding processes.
• Liaise with, and make referrals to, statutory agencies when required and ensure they have access to all necessary information to make sound judgements and decisions; support those making referrals at congregational level.
• Provide appropriate advice to individuals across the denomination with regards to safeguarding issues in general.
• Collate and produce statistical and other information for Council, panels, committees and other bodies internally as required.
• Participate in the development, delivery and evaluation safeguarding related training for ministers, kirk sessions, designated persons and others engaged in work for PCI.
• Act as a support for PCI’s volunteer safeguarding trainers.
• Support the updating of guidance/training, policy and procedure in light of changes to UK, Ireland and NI legislation, regional and national policy and guidance documents and best practice.
• Support the Safeguarding Lead in developing and disseminating these documents to improve safeguarding practice.
• Maintain familiarity with best practice guidance/training and policy in light of changes to UK, Ireland and NI legislation, regional and national policy and use this familiarity to inform practice.
• Engage effectively in supervision.
• Undertake such training as may be required for the efficient performance of the above duties.
• Contribute to the overall departmental effectiveness and perform any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Safeguarding Lead in line with the requirements of the General Assembly or the Clerk of the General Assembly.
• Contribute to the overall organisational effectiveness and perform any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Clerk in line with the requirements of the General Assembly.

Skills and Qualifications

• Qualification in Social Work and registered on the relevant part of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council Register.
• Degree level or equivalent qualification and experience in managing/carrying out investigations into safeguarding concerns.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office (in particular Word, PowerPoint and Outlook).
• Knowledge of legislation relating to safeguarding in Northern Ireland OR the Republic of Ireland.
• Practice knowledge of child and/or adult Safeguarding.
• 3 years’ experience (which can include AYE) in the field of safeguarding children and/or adults, including carrying out safeguarding related assessments and producing related written reports in either statutory or voluntary sector.
• 3 years’ experience (which can include AYE) in working with legislation relating to safeguarding in Northern Ireland OR the Republic of Ireland in either statutory or voluntary sector.
• Experience of managing safeguarding situations as part of a caseload.
• Experience and understanding of safeguarding procedures in relation to children and/ or adults.
• Understanding of a trauma informed approach.
• Experience of work-related administration and organisation.
• Experience of effective team working.
• Work comfortably within the Christian ethos and structure of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
• Access to a car and appropriate insurance/other suitable arrangements for travel throughout Ireland.
• Available for evening and occasional week-end work as required by the nature of the role.
• Relevant adult or child safeguarding training (completed within the last three years).
• Relevant domestic abuse training (completed within the last three years).
• Training / experience in trauma informed practice approaches.
• Demonstrable experience of planning, delivering, and evaluating training / presentations.

Further Information

To apply for this job and for further information please follow this link: https://seemehired.com/jobs/presbyterian-church-in-ireland/56475

Area: All of Northern Ireland

Closing date: 13 Feb 2026