Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser Diocese of Newcastle

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1 Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser Diocese of Newcastle Diocese of Newcastle Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance. A Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity. Registered in England number Registered office: Church House, St John s Terrace, North Shields NE296HS.

2 Overview Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser Under the leadership of the twelfth Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Revd Christine Hardman, the Diocese wishes to maintain and promote the highest standards in the area of safeguarding children, young people and adults who may be at risk of abuse or neglect. This newly created role will help us build capacity and competence in this key area and ensure our systems and processes help support and safeguard our church communities. Working alongside the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, the role will help develop and underpin the cultural and operational changes which are taking place and help us to proactively build on the good work that has been delivered so far to ensure our safeguarding practice across the Diocese is professional, responsive and robust. Background The simple yet profound values for the Diocese of Newcastle have become not only a way of expressing the aspirations of the Diocese but a prism through which we view our mission. It informs and inspires the way we work and helps us model our behaviour. Framed by the Rivers Tyne and Tweed the Diocese of Newcastle is the Church of England s most northerly diocese. This land of the Northern Saints was formed in 1882 and comprises 172 parishes across 2,110 square miles. The Diocese covers the local authorities of Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside and also small parts of County Durham and Cumbria. The 12 deaneries within 2 archdeaconries serve a population of 800,000 people across a variety of communities ranging from sparse rural to large inner city areas of deprivation. A cohort of 115 stipendiary and 50 self-supporting clergy under the episcopal leadership of a diocesan bishop, the Rt Revd Christine Hardman, and the suffragan Bishop of Berwick, the Rt Revd Mark Tanner are resourced by a team of lay 2

3 Overview and ordained supporting ministers, 25 active local ministry development groups and 120 readers. A small administration team is based at Church House, North Shields which also houses the Joint Education Team, the Lindisfarne Regional Training Partnership (two joint working initiatives with the Diocese of Durham) and a Religious Resources Centre. Working alongside the National Church of England Safeguarding Team, Clergy, Laity, including Parish Safeguarding Officers, and other voluntary organisations and statutory agencies, this post will have a key role in helping to translate the Bishop of Newcastle s commitment to safeguarding into tangible actions and outcomes. Also implementing national and diocesan policies and practice guidance. With its primary focus on casework, it will increase our capacity to provide support, advice and guidance and ensure safeguarding procedures are carried out effectively and in a timely manner. Location This post will be located at: Diocesan Office, Church House, St John s Terrace, North Shields NE29 6HS Accountability and key relationships The Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser will report to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (see Appendix 1) Key relationships include the Church of England National Safeguarding Team, Clergy, including Bishop, Bishop s Chaplain and Archdeacons, Diocesan Secretary, Diocesan Registrar, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Group (SAG), Head of Communications, Laity, including parish safeguarding officers and church wardens, colleagues at Church House, associate trainers, statutory authority representatives and representatives of other faith communities, voluntary and partner organisations, including Police, Local Authorities and Probation Service. Reporting to the Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser There are no direct reports. 3

4 Key responsibilities General Duties Actively support parishes to ensure they are aware and understand their safeguarding responsibilities in relation to children, young people and vulnerable adults; Provide support in relation to the interpretation and implementation of Diocesan safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure consistency of application and quality assurance; Support the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser in advising the Bishop, Suffragan Bishop and Archdeacons on procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against an office holder within the Diocese. Support safe recruitment activity (paid employees and volunteers), and in particular advising the Bishops and their staff on the assessment of risk where Disclosure and Barring Service certificates are blemished; Promote the role of the Church in safeguarding with statutory and voluntary agencies across the three local authorities. Casework Provide advice guidance and support to colleagues (church, employed and laity) in response to concerns raised about children, young people or adults who may be at risk or where safeguarding concerns have been expressed; Respond to allegations of abuse, co-ordinating the core group response, liaising with the Diocesan communications team and other statutory or non-statutory bodies as appropriate; Take the Diocesan lead on case work associated with offenders who wish to worship in the Diocese, ensuring appropriate risk assessments are carried out and written agreements put in place, managed and reviewed; Conduct safeguarding risk assessments, putting in place strategies and agreements to actively manage and evaluate any actual or potential risks identified; Work with Children and Adult Services, Police, the National Offender Management Service and others statutory and non-statutory bodies and agencies as necessary, including attending strategy meetings and case conferences, to actively manage case referrals; Ensure appropriate levels of support for alleged victims and their families, alleged perpetrators and their families, congregations or other affected parties, are put into place during periods of investigation and as appropriate thereafter; 4

5 Key responsibilities Provide advice and guidance to parishes on the implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures; Work with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor to ensure accurate and timely management information and data is collected to enable regular reporting; Maintain appropriate records. Training Support the delivery of a programme of safeguarding training to clergy and laity; Contribute to the review, evaluation and development of safeguarding training materials. Professional Development Develop and maintain knowledge of national and local safeguarding policies and procedures; Engage in continuing training and professional development; Maintain registration as a social worker or equivalent as required for on-going practice. 5

6 Person Specification: key criteria Key Criteria Essential Qualifications & Training A professional qualification, or experience, gained in a social work, probation service or police environment Knowledge and Experience Significant experience of having worked in a safeguarding environment with responsibility for casework and risk assessments, ability to develop and implement risk mitigation strategies or similar interventions; Able to contribute to the review and development of safeguarding policies and procedures; In depth knowledge of the regulatory framework relating to safeguarding and the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults; Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of professional and non-professional partners and stakeholders; Ability to communicate with a non-technical audience, ensuring understanding of safeguarding protocols, policies and procedures. Personal Competencies Strong personal commitment to safeguarding; Able to build strong, collaborative partnerships across a diverse range of groups; Empathic, able to build rapport and gain trust and confidence of others; Evidence of having provided sensitive support and engagement with individuals experiencing personal trauma and crisis; Able to identify and apply appropriate interventions and support; Able to exercise sound judgement and decision making; Able to influence key decision makers; Able to challenge constructively to help steer culture and operational change; 6

7 Person Specification: key criteria Able to work on own initiative and be accountable; Committed to personal and professional development; General Empathy with the mission of the Church of England and the ability to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Diocesan values of being generous, engaged and open IT literate; Good organisation skills; Experience of writing and presenting reports; Access to a motor vehicle during working hours. Desirable Specific experience in relation to management of Adult Offenders; Specific experience in relation to Domestic Abuse; Previous experience of having delivered safeguarding training; Understanding of safeguarding structures within the Church of England or similar organisations or contexts. 7

8 Person Specification: Conditions General Conditions Diversity We understand the benefits of employing individuals from a range of backgrounds, with diverse cultures and talents. We aim to create a workforce that: values difference in others and respects the dignity and worth of each individual; reflects the diversity of the nation that the Church of England exists to serve; fosters a climate of creativity, tolerance and diversity that will help all staff to develop to their full potential. We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and ensuring that all employees, job applicants, customers and other persons with whom we deal are treated fairly and are not subjected to discrimination. We want to ensure that we not only observe the relevant legislation but also do whatever is necessary to provide genuine equality of opportunity. We expect all of our employees to be treated and to treat others with respect. Our aim is to provide a working environment free from harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form which may affect the dignity of the individual. Standards of Behaviour and Conduct Employees are expected to act at all times with due consideration for others and in a manner befitting their position as employees of the Church and as professionals, whatever their job. Health and Safety Responsibilities The Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance takes Health and Safety at work very seriously and require their employees to familiarise themselves with, and follow, their policy. 8

9 Salary Pension Contributions Hours of Work Annual Leave Contract Grade 4 Salary: probationary period 17,988 pa ( 29,280 FTE); on completion of probationary period 18,935 pa ( 31,558 FTE). Employees will be automatically enrolled into the Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF) Pension Builder Classic Scheme The Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance contributes 10% of pensionable salary as an employer contribution to the Scheme. This is a non-contributory Scheme but staff may voluntarily contribute to the Scheme if they wish to do so. Employees have a right to opt out of the Scheme after enrolment. The post is offered on a part-time basis (0.6 FTE), working 22.5 hours per week, over 3 days. The normal office hours are 08:30 to 16:30 Monday to Friday. The post will require availability and attendance at evening and weekend meetings, training and events. Overtime is not paid but time off in lieu is provided. Lunch and any other breaks are unpaid. We welcome applications from applicants who may wish to negotiate alternative working arrangements to those outlined above. The leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. It is the custom for staff to use annual leave between Christmas and New Year when the office is closed. Full-time staff receive 25 days paid leave per leave year exclusive of 8 public holidays and 4 additional holidays approved by the Board. The post is offered on a permanent basis. The employer is the Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance The post is subject to a six month probationary period. 9

10 Application and Selection Process Closing date for receipt of applications: 12 noon on Monday, 20 th November 2017 The selection process will include exercises and an interview and is scheduled for Thursday, 7 th December 2017 You may your completed application form to recruitment@newcastle.anglican.org or return your completed application to Mrs Marilyn Wright, Human Resources Adviser and Support Officer, Church House, St John s Terrace, North Shields NE29 6HS 10

11 Appendix 1 Diocesan Safeguarding Team Bishop Safeguarding lead on Bishop s Staff Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) Professional Supervisor Volunteer Trainers Independent Trainer Assistant DSA Administrative Support DBS Administrator 11