Diocesan Safeguarding Caseworker

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Diocese of Birmingham's Safeguarding Team as a Diocesan Safeguarding Caseworker. The role is central to ensuring that children, young people, and adults at risk are safeguarded through the effective management of safeguarding concerns, the provision of trauma-informed support, and collaborative working with clergy, parishes, statutory agencies, and partner organisations. Working within the Church of England's safeguarding policies and national standards, you will contribute to creating a culture where safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of ministry, ensuring concerns are managed with professionalism, compassion, and accountability.

As a Diocesan Safeguarding Caseworker, you will:

• Triage and assess concerns, escalating when required
• Plan work effectively to ensure concerns are dealt with promptly and appropriately
• Support victims and survivors with sensitivity, dignity, and care
• Work closely with the diocesan safeguarding team to ensure robust, defensible decision-making and handling of concerns
• Contribute to the safe management of individuals who may pose a risk to others

This role is varied, meaningful, and ideal for a safeguarding professional who thrives in a complex context.

Key Responsibilities

• Safeguarding Casework
• Triage and assess safeguarding enquiries, concerns and referrals, escalating when required
• Work within the National Safeguarding Standards Framework and the Managing Allegations Code of Practice
• Support clergy and parish safeguarding officers through safeguarding enquiries and investigations
• Maintain high-quality, legally robust records in line with Church of England guidance
• Complete Risk Assessments of individuals about whom there are safeguarding concerns
• At the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer's request, undertake risk assessments or safety plans for individuals where there are, or have been concerns about their behaviour towards children or adults at risk, where they have convictions for offences against children or adults at risk or where they have a blemished DBS disclosure.
• Partnership Working
• Liaise and collaborate with statutory agencies in the UK
• Information share in accordance with CofE policy
• Engagement with national and regional network of diocesan safeguarding officers and relevant local ecumenical or multi-faith forums as well as (when work allows) building relationships with statutory agencies including safeguarding boards, social services, LADO and police.
• Policy, Practice & Assurance
• Support the implementation of CofE policy (guidance, codes of practice and frameworks)
• Other
• Take directions from the Diocesan Safeguarding Officers as required
• Actively participate in team duties as part of the wider safeguarding and diocesan teams, and contribute to wider safeguarding initiatives
• The ability to travel independently across the breadth of the diocese, on occasion to locations without public transport links
• Supporting training activity on occasion at the direction of the DSO when required

Person Specification

About You

You are a confident, reflective, experienced safeguarding practitioner who manages complex and sensitive situations with professionalism and care.

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• Experience managing complex safeguarding concerns involving the statutory response to the protection of children/adults
• Experience working with relevant statutory agencies (i.e. children’s services, adult social care, police)
• Experience contributing to statutory risk assessments and safety planning
• A proven track record of working with integrity, discretion, and respect for confidentiality
• Experience in safer recruitment, risk management, or safeguarding agreements
• Excellent judgement and ability to make defensible, proportionate decisions
• Ability to remain calm and empathetic in challenging situations
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple pieces of work
• Team-oriented with the ability to work independently
• Reflective, self-aware, and committed to ongoing development
• Ability and willingness to travel across the length and breadth of the Diocese.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification or qualified by experience in safeguarding, from a social care, education, health, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of safeguarding practice
• Enhanced DBS (or equivalent) & right to work in the UK
• Experience safeguarding within a faith-based or voluntary setting
• Knowledge of Church of England safeguarding frameworks
• Experience delivering safeguarding training or contributing to audits
• Current knowledge of DBS processes and legislation

Terms & Conditions

• Salary and Pension: £31,200 per annum plus membership of the Church Workers Pension Scheme.
• Contract: Fixed-term for 2 years
• Hours: Part-time, 28 hours per week
• Holidays: Five weeks annual leave, plus Bank Holidays pro-rata
• Closing Date: 3rd September 2026
• Interviews to be In-person: 16th September 2026

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community: a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work. We welcome applications from any individuals who feel they meet the person specification for this post, particularly those who are currently under-represented within our staff teams, including people from Global Majority Heritage and UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQI+. We offer a range of inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and wellbeing support for our staff teams. The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All appointments to roles undertaking regulated activity are subject to pre-appointment checks, including references and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check complete with barred list.