Role Expectation
Time Commitment: Approx. 6–8 meetings per year, plus preparation. Term: 3 years renewable for 2 years. Location: Meetings held in London and across dioceses (hybrid attendance available).
Remuneration and Expenses
A fee of £25 per hour will be paid for attendance at meetings, along with reimbursement for travel expenses. Members are expected to attend six meetings per year and undertake one hour of reading in preparation for each panel meeting. Additional reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the Church of England’s NCI expenses policy, subject to approval by the Chair.
Responsibilities
Independent Member with specialist expertise in adult safeguarding
- Provide expert scrutiny on matters involving adult safeguarding and the Church’s response to adults at risk.
- Participate in fact‑finding and scrutiny sessions, including engagement with external contributors and safeguarding leaders.
- Review and contribute to safeguarding policy proposals, thematic papers, and national workplans.
- Identify strengths, risks, and areas for development in the safeguarding of adults.
- Contribute to recommendations for national improvement and support the NSP Chair in reporting to the National Safeguarding Steering Group.
- Promote survivor‑informed approaches and ensure lived experience is heard and integrated into scrutiny.
Independent Member with professional expertise in working with offenders
- Provide expert advice on offender‑related safeguarding matters, including risk assessment, risk management, and rehabilitation frameworks.
- Contribute specialist knowledge to scrutiny sessions examining how the Church manages individuals who may pose a risk.
- Review relevant policies, risk‑management approaches, case‑learning themes, and national data.
- Offer constructive challenge to ensure safeguarding arrangements protect those who are vulnerable while balancing rights, responsibilities, and proportionality.
- Support the NSP in producing clear recommendations for national safeguarding improvement.
Qualifications
Independent Member with specialist expertise in adult safeguarding
- Significant professional experience in adult safeguarding, ideally within health, social care, criminal justice, voluntary sector, or regulatory settings.
- Knowledge of best practice, safeguarding legislation, and risk management in adult protection.
Independent Member with professional expertise in working with offenders
- Professional background in probation, criminal justice, MAPPA, forensic psychology, offender management, or related fields.
- Experience in assessing and managing individuals who present risks of harm.
- Understanding of safeguarding legislation, risk frameworks, and interagency working.
- Confidence participating in evidence‑based scrutiny and high‑level safeguarding debate.
- Ability to analyse complex safeguarding information and contribute to balanced, informed recommendations.
Independent Safeguarding & Offender Risk Expert Panelist employer: The Church of England
The Church of England in Liverpool is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that values diversity and inclusivity. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth through diocesan training courses and the chance to make a meaningful impact within the community. With a strong commitment to nurturing vocations, this role provides a unique opportunity to engage with various church traditions and contribute to the spiritual development of lay ministry.
