Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) – Case Management (0.8 FTE)
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Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) – Case Management (0.8 FTE) Application Pack February 2020 1 Thank you for your interest in the role of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) – Case Management (0.8 FTE) for the Diocese of Guildford. Please find enclosed the following information: Page 3 Introduction from the Diocesan HR and Safeguarding Director Page 4 Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor job description and person specification Page 9 An overview of The Diocese of Guildford Page 17 Outline of key terms and how to apply Page 18 Application form 2 Dear Applicant Thank you for your interest in the role of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) – Case Management in the Diocese of Guildford. We believe that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is at the heart of all that we do. We are on a journey, taking all possible steps to ensure that our churches and worshipping communities are truly a place where all are safe and can flourish. The Diocesan Safeguarding team plays a key role in promoting a culture of safeguarding across the Diocese of Guildford through our communications, management of incidents and cases, training and DBS activity. We are seeking a Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor to join our team. The primary purpose of the role is to advise on safeguarding issues, cases and incidents, ensuring that all advice is in line with the law, government guidance and the Church of England safeguarding policies and practice guidance. The role is a busy and varied one, in which every day is different. It is for 28 hours per week with some out of hours support and will require travelling around the diocese to support parishes and their teams. If you have extensive safeguarding experience and a passion to join us in our journey to promote a safe environment for all, we welcome an application from you. For an informal discussion about this role, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0759 692 1125 or email [email protected] Your application should consist of a completed application form and supporting statement (no more than two sides of A4) detailing your reasons for applying, what you can bring to the post and how you meet its requirements. The closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday 5 March 2020, 12 noon. Yours faithfully Lynda Donaldson Diocesan HR and Safeguarding Director 3 Job Description Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) – Case Management (0.8 FTE) Job Purpose To advise the Bishop of Guildford, the Diocese of Guildford and the Guildford Cathedral on safeguarding issues, cases and incidents ensuring that all advice is in line with the law, government guidance and national policy and guidance from the House of Bishops. To support the Diocese in the development and implementation of its safeguarding practices and arrangements. To undertake safeguarding casework on behalf of the Diocese of Guildford and Guildford Cathedral. To manage, investigate and refer, as appropriate, allegations of abuse and neglect. Accountability Accountable to the Bishop of Guildford Line managed by the Diocesan HR Director and Safeguarding Lead Relationships Internal o Diocesan Safeguarding team (Diocesan Safeguarding Lead, Diocesan Safeguarding Policy & Training Advisor, DBS Manager, Safeguarding Administrator) o Bishop’s Leadership Team (BLT) o Diocesan Safeguarding Internal Working Group o Wide range of stakeholders across the Diocese, including but not limited to those in licenced and authorised ministry, deanery chapters, PCCs, parish officers and cathedral staff External o Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) o Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) and Case Work Sub Group (CWSG) members o National Safeguarding Team (NST) o DSAs in other dioceses and other faith groups o Relevant officers in the various statutory authorities across Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Kingston), such as Local Authority Designated Officers (LADOs), key local authority adult and children’s services officers, Probation Offender Managers and officers responsible for public protection; multi-agency contacts; officers responsible for casework and public protection arrangements within the police (Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Metropolitan) o Local safeguarding partnerships for adults and children, as appropriate o Victims and survivors of abuse o Offenders and perpetrators of abuse and alleged perpetrators of abuse. 4 Key Responsibilities: Strategy, policy and good practice guidance Working collaboratively with the Independent Chair of DSAP and the Diocesan Safeguarding team, develop and support the implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive, proactive safeguarding strategy for the Diocese of Guildford. Together, with other members of the Diocesan Safeguarding team, ensure that House of Bishops Practice Guidance, policies, processes and procedures are interpreted, implemented and maintained in the most effective way across the Diocese of Guildford. To participate in and provide advice and support to key diocesan forums, such as Deanery Chapter and Parochial Church Councils (PCCs), on the interpretation and implementation of House of Bishops Policies and Practice Guidance. To provide appropriate challenge to ensure that the policies etc are being implemented in the most effective way. To build effective working relationships and networks with the national and regional safeguarding teams and advisors. To leverage good practices, processes and procedures and recommend how they can be adapted for rollout within the Diocese of Guildford. To provide annual diocesan statistical information to the NST, as required. Case Management To undertake safeguarding casework on behalf of the Diocese of Guildford, including the Cathedral, ensuring that all work is recorded in line with the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and guidance. To provide professional safeguarding advice and responses to safeguarding concerns or allegations against church officers in line with the House of Bishops safeguarding policy and guidance. To give advice and guidance to the Bishop of Guildford and other church officers on the management of cases/incidents and to report back to them and other bodies, such as the NST, as appropriate. To provide advice on how we support victims and survivors of abuse and neglect, working closely with the BLT and the Diocesan Safeguarding team to ensure that the Diocese responds well to those who have suffered abuse. To provide advice to the Diocese, Cathedral, parishes and diocesan departments on responding to concerns relating to the well-being of children, young people and vulnerable adults To work co-operatively with the police, local authorities and other statutory bodies (DBS) and agencies in cases in which it is suspected that a child, young person or vulnerable adult has suffered abuse or is at risk of suffering abuse. To commission and undertake risk assessments in all situations where a risk might be posed. To ensure that risk assessments are carried out on all ‘blemished’ DBS disclosures. To facilitate the preparation of safeguarding agreements to ensure the safe and appropriate inclusion of those who may pose a risk in the church community. To put in place and operate clear protocols for the reporting and sharing of information with statutory agencies. To maintain confidential, accurate and impartial written case records in line with the HoB practice guidance. To ensure that all records kept are accessible, accurate, securely held and able to be analysed as and when required. To contribute to core groups, in line with HoB guidelines, by preparing for the meetings in advance, providing advice and challenge to the core group and ensuring that follow up actions are completed by those responsible for completion. To ensure regular serious incident reporting is completed for all safeguarding cases in line with House of Bishops guidance and Diocese of Guildford protocols. 5 Governance structures To play a key role in the effective working of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) and the Case Work Sub Group (CWSG) by contributing to the agenda, preparing reports and documentation. To contribute to and participate in other key forums, as required, e.g. the Diocesan Safeguarding Internal Working Group. Relationships with key stakeholders To build strong working relationships with the Bishop of Guildford, the BLT and cathedral leadership team and to provide regular updates on key safeguarding issues or cases. To provide appropriate challenge in the management of and response to specific cases or situations. To co-operate with and develop professional relationships with statutory agencies e.g. local safeguarding boards, the police, the public protection unit, multi-agency protection panels and the local probationary service. Work co-operatively with the police, local authorities and other bodies in cases in which it is suspected that a child, young person or vulnerable adult has suffered abuse or is at risk of suffering abuse. To work collaboratively with the NST on the management and reporting of case work and associated issues. To participate in national forums, events and training that is applicable for the role. To communicate key recommendations or issues on specific cases from the NST to the Bishop of Guildford and/or the HR Director and Diocesan Safeguarding Lead. To proactively participate in and contribute to topics and issues under discussion at regional DSA forums. Projects To undertake project work as and when required, e.g. co-ordinate the review