Safeguarding Officer

We are looking to recruit a Cathedral Safeguarding Officer (CSO) to join our team on a part time basis (22.5 hours per week). 

The purpose of the role is to ensure the Cathedral is a safe place for the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults always. 

The role of Cathedral Safeguarding Officer (CSO) will be key to ensuring that all those involved in the life of the Cathedral, including cathedral staff and volunteers, are aware of and understand the safeguarding measures needed to ensure that Worcester Cathedral is an inclusive and safe place for all. 

It is both a proactive and responsive role, helping to strengthen our safeguarding culture, promoting best practice, supporting others to meet their safeguarding responsibilities, overseeing casework and responding swiftly and appropriately to any specific safeguarding concerns. The role will have both strategic and operational elements, helping to develop strategic plans for improving our safeguarding provision and taking the lead on ensuring that practical progress is made.

Key Responsibilities
Ensure the Cathedral’s governing body (the Chapter) and Senior Executive Team (SET) are supported in fulfilling their responsibilities as they relate to safeguarding. 

Respond to all safeguarding concerns and incidents, supporting victims and survivors, advising staff and volunteers, and overseeing safeguarding agreements. Be visible and accessible to cathedral staff and volunteers, helping them recognise, response, and properly record all concerns, and determining what referrals are necessary. Provide focussed support where there is frequent engagement with young people and vulnerable adults including: 

• The Welcome Team 
• Day Chaplains 
• The Music team 
• The Learning Team
• The Clergy
• Lay Readers, and 
• Other lay ministers 

To undertake casework as necessary, including: 

• Supporting individuals (and staff and volunteers involved) as required. 
• Undertaking risk assessments and safety plans and, with the Chief Operating Officer (COO), manage any allegations against staff and volunteers. 
• Keep casework records electronically, in line with the protocols and templates mandated by the Church of England or required by the DSA. 
• Undertake an annual review of safeguarding policies, practices and relevant documents e.g. Cathedral Safeguarding Handbook and advise the Chapter on developments in safeguarding practice and regulation
• Undertake safeguarding risk assessments, draw up safety plans and monitor implementation as required. 
• Collaborate with the People Administrator and Diocesan Safeguarding Team to ensure that appropriate and necessary training is delivered and documented for all staff and volunteers.
• Determine the training needs for all those who work in the cathedral (staff and volunteers), meeting the requirements of the Church of England and developing context-specific training for key roles. 
• Provide quarterly safeguarding reports to the Safeguarding Committee and other committees / groups and as required. 
• Lead on safeguarding projects on behalf of the Cathedral. 
• Co-ordinate the Cathedral’s response to Safeguarding Audits and other work required by the National Safeguarding Team (NST) or Church of England.

About You
You will have substantial experience in a safeguarding role previously.

Qualifications / Experience Required

• Proven experience of managing the delivery of effective safeguarding operations.
• Proven experience of managing complex safeguarding casework. 
• Experience of working at a strategic level, at least at middle manager level, influencing decision-making and implementation.
• Knowledge of the statutory framework, pertaining to safeguarding.
• The ability to communicate the importance of safeguarding to non-safeguarding audiences.
• Confidence to challenge senior leaders, to ensure best practice in safeguarding in all areas of the Cathedral's life.
• Curiosity about the complexity of the Cathedral, and the particular challenges and opportunities that creates good safeguarding practice.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Staff discounts – in the café and shop.

If you are experienced in Safeguarding, and are looking for a rewarding new challenge, we want to hear from you!

Please submit your CV detailing your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role.

Location – Worcester, Worcestershire.
Hours of Work – 22.5 hours per week, some flexibility around working days and hours and some evening working to enable training
Salary - £21,000 (FTE £35,000)

Worcester Cathedral is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individual

REF-215 087