We are looking to appoint 2 Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers (DSAs) to continuously develop and deliver our safeguarding strategy across all aspects of the mission and ministry of the Diocese of Canterbury. You will support the Diocese in its safeguarding arrangements, good practice and training in the churches in the Diocese of Canterbury.

You will draw on your significant knowledge of child and adult protection issues to influence and advise our approaches to safeguarding matters. You will be able to undertake risk assessments working alongside other agencies, Senior Diocesan staff, local parish clergy, church wardens and parish officials building rapport and developing effective working relationships. An awareness of the Church of England structures would be desirable.

One of the DSA roles will have a line management lead for Training, DBS and Safer Recruitment. If you would be interested in this area of responsibility please indicate on your application form.

To fulfil the role of a Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, working in conjunction with all the members of the Safeguarding Team, to develop and deliver an appropriate safeguarding strategy across all aspects of the mission and ministry of the Diocese of Canterbury. To support the Diocese in the development of its safeguarding arrangements, good practice, policy and training. To ensure that allegations of abuse are appropriately referred to the statutory authorities ensuring the provision of appropriate advice and support to survivors and victims of abuse. To make sure that those that pose a risk are appropriately supported and managed. To advise the diocese on all safeguarding matters ensuring that all advice is in line with the law, government guidance and national policy and guidance from the House of Bishops. To work collaboratively with the National Safeguarding Team.

As the Lead Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser to be the line manager for the Safeguarding Trainer and Administrator in their responsibilities for the delivery of services and support across the diocese,

To work with colleagues to ensure a high quality of service and support is offered to all clergy and volunteers across the diocese.

• Strategy, Policy and Good Practice Guidance

• Case Management

• Safeguarding Management Group and Risk Assessment group

• Training

• DBS and Safer Recruitment

For full details of the roles please see the job descriptions.

For full details of the person specification please see attached job descriptions.

The Safeguarding team work both at the diocesan centre but also crucially across the 250+ parishes that the diocese covers. In any successful team there must be a culture of flexibility and whilst responsibilities can be allocated, it is for all members of that team to ensure that responsibilities are shared across the board and appropriately covered. Accordingly in these job descriptions it is important that lines of accountability and responsibility are treated with collegiate respect but also with a degree of corporate flexibility.

The Bishop of Dover has the ultimate responsibility for Safeguarding in the Church’s mission and ministry across the diocese. It is a principle of the team based approach that all members of the team should have access to the bishop to speak about safeguarding issues and concerns across the diocese as appropriate.