Assistant Head of Safeguarding: Church of England, Diocese in Europe

The Diocese in Europe is geographically by far the largest diocese of the Church of England. We have almost 300 congregations in 140 chaplaincies in over 40 countries across Europe plus Turkey, Morocco and Russia The successful candidate will be responsible for promoting a ‘Safe Churches’ message through all our local Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officers, and leading on safeguarding cases requiring intervention or advice as part of our commitment to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults who may be at risk. Further information about the Diocese can be found here.

Applications are invited for this exciting opportunity for an Assistant Head of Safeguarding (ADSA) to act under the direction of the Head of Safeguarding, to strengthen the existing Safeguarding Team, working towards the delivery of a safeguarding service that reflects best practice. The role is 4 days a week or 28 hours spread across 5 days.

The successful applicant will be responsible for managing in a range of areas; the administration staff, support the diocese in the implementation of the House of Bishops Policies and Procedures and the Diocese in Europe Safeguarding Policy providing appropriate support to chaplaincies in responding to safeguarding queries and holding safeguarding cases. Case work includes monitoring offenders returning to the community to worship to make certain they are appropriately supported and managed, including carrying out risk assessments in conjunction with local agencies within Europe to establish robust Safeguarding Agreements and liaise with Hydrant within the UK where required. The ADSA will be expected to coordinate the annual safeguarding training programme and participate in the delivery of training where required to support our external trainers. Along with all dioceses in the Church of England, the Diocese in Europe is currently conducting its Past Cases Review 2. As a result of this review, there is likely to be residual work to be completed. Further information can be found here .

Applicants will be educated to degree level or above and hold a relevant professional qualification or equivalent (for example, social care or criminal justice), with current professional registration where applicable, as well as demonstrating extensive experience of the safeguarding of children and adults.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team is based in the Diocesan Offices at Church House in Westminster. There is scope for a hybrid working arrangement and there will be some travel in Europe for which appropriate expenses are paid.

JOB SUMMARY:

• To support the Diocese Safeguarding Service (DSS) in providing appropriate advice, risk assessment and other safeguarding support to Chaplaincies, and to survivors/victims of abuse.

• To monitor all case work and ensure that allegations of abuse are properly managed and recorded, with appropriate referral to relevant statutory authorities.

• To make sure that offenders returning to the community and others that may pose a risk are appropriately supported and managed.

• To support the DSS in the development and delivery of its safeguarding policy and protocol, training and an understanding of good practice.

• To manage and provide support to the administration team. • To assist with the completion and recommendations of our Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2).

• To undertake such other reasonable duties as may be required by the HOS. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Casework

• Provide guidance and direction where there are concerns about children and young people and adults who may be a risk.

• Oversee the casework of the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and provide advice to the local volunteer Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officers (CSO).

• Respond to requests for advice, information and guidance from individuals in the Church who are concerned about the welfare of vulnerable people (children, young people and adults, including those whose behaviour is of concern).

• Under the guidance of the Head of Safeguarding, take the lead in responding to safeguarding situations, following the Practice Guidance: Responding to, assessing and managing safeguarding concerns or allegations against church officers.

• Undertake assessments of any person of concern (which may require travel in Europe).

• Arrange and attend Safeguarding Case Management Meetings, at times this will include preparing chaplaincy personnel for such meetings and attending with them, or on their behalf.

• Provide advice to the DSO, CSOs, and senior managers in relation to managing complex cases. • Ensure there is support and advice for those who are victims or survivors of abuse.

• Ensure the provision, approval and training of Support Persons when required.

• Support individuals when a referral to statutory services or the police is necessary.

• Support chaplaincies during a child/adult protection or safeguarding enquiry and afterwards. This may include ensuring support is provided for others in the chaplaincy who may be affected by such an enquiry, for example volunteers or other leaders.

• Work in partnership with the statutory agencies as required by the HOS.

• Contribute to risk assessments undertaken in the chaplaincy or diocese as agree by the HOS.

• Ensure at all times that appropriate records are maintained, suitable for admission in legal proceedings in line with Safeguarding Records: Joint practice guidance for the Church of England and Methodist Church.

• Contribute to the drawing up and regular review of agreements for those known to be a risk to children and / or vulnerable adults.

• Provide advice to the administrator about safeguarding checks, ensuring the process is fit for purpose, and undertake a risk assessment process for those where safeguarding checks are not clear, or not possible.

Policy, protocol and good practice guidelines

• Monitor and keep the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy and protocols up to date with the requirements of UK government and EU legislation, and Church of England policies.

• Maintain personal continuing professional development and professional registration where appropriate.

• Develop knowledge of how local partnership arrangements for safeguarding are structured in relation to providing safeguarding services and how referrals are made.

• Support the Archdeacons in ensuring each Chaplaincy has adopted and implemented the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy, protocols and procedures.

• Promote full engagement with the Safeguarding Dashboard.

• Undertake reviewing and auditing of chaplaincy practice and compliance.

• Monitor, check and provide advice and guidance on improving local safeguarding in chaplaincies.

• This list of main duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive and is intended to reflect the main tasks and areas of work envisaged at this time.

Changes may occur over time and agreement will be expected to any reasonable changes to this job description, which are commensurate with the level of responsibility required and salary scale offered and in line with the general nature of the post. The post holder will be consulted about any changes to this job description before they are implemented.

Training

• In collaboration with the National Safeguarding Training Team and Diocesan Head of Safeguarding, develop and ensure the delivery of appropriate safeguarding training, as recommended by the House of Bishops, for all clergy, Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officers and Lay Leaders throughout the Diocese.

• Develop and maintain an up-to-date safeguarding training curriculum suitable for the differing needs of clergy and laity working in the variety of church roles with children, young people and adults.

• Monitor and maintain the suitability of the safeguarding e-learning, virtual and in-person programmes, with appropriate liaison with external trainers.

• Develop and maintain sufficient numbers of trained volunteer safeguarding trainers in the Diocese.

• Evaluate, review and monitor the effectiveness of the training programme.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: Diocesan Safeguarding Team members, Bishops, Diocesan Secretary, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors, National Safeguarding Team, Bishops, Archdeacons. Chair and members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Committee, other senior staff plus Clergy and Laity of our churches around the Diocese; and other members of the Diocesan Office team.

BACKGROUND: The Diocese in Europe is geographically by far the largest diocese of the Church of England. We have almost 300 congregations in 140 chaplaincies in over 40 countries across Europe plus Turkey, Morocco and Russia. The successful candidate will be responsible for promoting a ‘Safe Churches’ message through all our local Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officers, and leading on safeguarding cases requiring intervention or advice as part of our commitment to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Further information about the Diocese can be found at https://europe.anglican.org/. The Diocesan Bishop Robert Innes is based in Brussels, where he is supported by a Bishop’s Chaplain and administration team. The Suffragan Bishop is based in the Diocesan Office, which is a selfcontained part of Church House in Westminster, with 12 staff and is responsible for a range of functions including, finance, governance trust management, communications and ministerial development. The Diocese is served by 160 clergy holding the Bishop's Licence and over 100 Readers. Our Chaplaincies have active children's and youth ministries, and most are regularly involved with vulnerable adults and others on the margins of society. The Diocese has a significant ministry working with refugees and migrants. Safeguarding is a vital part of the Church's Mission of healing, justice and hope. As a Diocese we aim to deliver best practice in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. There are estimated to be in the region of 1,000 individuals, clergy and laity, spread throughout the Diocese who are required to undertake our safeguarding training modules.