Safeguarding Operations Officer Diocese of Newcastle Diocese of Newcastle www.newcastle.anglican.org Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance. A Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity. Registered in England number 650977. Registered office: Church House, St John’s Terrace, North Shields NE296HS. Overview Safeguarding Operations Officer Under the leadership of the twelfth Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Revd Christine Hardman, the Diocese of Newcastle 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. The Safeguarding Operations Officer will assist the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) to ensure that our systems and processes effectively support and safeguard our church communities. The Safeguarding Operations Officer will 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 vision for growing church bringing hope is underpinned by three values for the Diocese of Newcastle of generous, engaged, open. These underpin our day to day relationships with colleagues and influence the way in which we work together as a team. They help us shape our approach to the delivery of our tasks and responsibilities. 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 larger inner city areas of multiple deprivation. A cohort of stipendiary (paid) and self-supporting clergy together with lay readers and missioners are under the episcopal leadership of our diocesan bishop, the Rt Revd Christine Hardman, and the suffragan Bishop of Berwick (a post which is currently vacant). A small administration team is based at Church House, North Shields which also houses the Joint Education Team (a joint working initiative with the Diocese of Durham), the Lindisfarne College of Theology and a Religious Resources Centre. Overview Job Summary Working as part of our small Safeguarding Team, providing operational and administrative support to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, the Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Past Case Review (PCR2) Officer, Safeguarding Training and the Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP). Location This post will be located at the Diocesan Office, Church House, St John’s Terrace, North Shields NE29 6HS Accountability and key relationships The Safeguarding Operations Officer will report to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA). Key relationships include: • Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser • The Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) • Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser • PCR2 Officer • Safeguarding Trainers • Diocesan Secretary • Colleagues at Church House • Parish Safeguarding Officers • Other service users Key responsibilities Main Duties • Produce management information as required for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP), Bishop’s Staff, statutory authorities and any other interested parties. • Preparing reports and other documents with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) for audit, monitoring and quality assurance purposes. • Maintaining records of safeguarding learning completed by all those holding the Bishop’s Licence or PTO and others in leadership roles; ensuring all clergy are compliant with the House of Bishops practice guidance in relation to safeguarding. • Implement the Parish Dashboard tool and be the ‘go to’ expert for all parish queries and support in relation to the tool. • Implement and maintain an agreed electronic safeguarding case management system; updating case files as appropriate. • Provide advice and guidance to Parish DBS administrators on the on-line DBS application process. Produce reports as required to ensure that the process is working effectively, flagging any concerns to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser. Provide DBS administration and support for all those who hold the Bishop’s Licence and Permission to Officiate and others in leadership roles in the Diocese of Newcastle. • Provide administrative support to the DSA and Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and Independent Chair of DSAP. • Co-ordinate and oversee the additional administrative support provided by reception and administration support staff in relation to safeguarding learning, including developing and implementing new systems and processes that make making the best use of available technologies, in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness and ensure continuous improvement. Person Specification: key criteria Key Criteria Essential Qualifications & Training • NVQ Level 2 qualification in business administration or similar subject or equivalent practical experience • Computer literate, able to use Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and Publisher) and other electronic tools and technologies • Possesses specialised technical skill and knowledge and analytical ability within this speciality, alongside an ability to use the tools and techniques of this discipline Knowledge and Experience • Experience of working in an area where it is necessary to manage significant amounts of sensitive information and records in a systematic manner • Experience of supervising and co-ordinating the work of others • Experience of reviewing systems and making recommendations for change. Personal Competencies • Able to demonstrate a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail • Able to solve problems and make decisions within delegated authority levels • Able to demonstrate good organisation skill • Able to prioritise and exercise sound judgement around work priorities • Able to demonstrate high levels of customer service satisfaction • Able to introduce and implement agreed safeguarding case management systems • Proven ability to work as part of a team and to build cooperative effort within the team, but also alone • Successful candidate will be aware of their own attitudes, assumptions and beliefs and is able to see the usefulness and limitations of these • Successful candidate will have the ability to see a task/project as a whole recognising how the various functions can interlink and depend on one another Person Specification: key criteria • Motivated self-starter, able to work with minimum supervision • Good communicator, able to build rapport and make colleagues and partners feel appreciated and respected • Able to quickly build relationships with a variety of people and at all levels, including colleagues, clergy, visitors and other key stakeholders • Able to innovate and to identify potential developments to improve effectiveness • Confident; able to demonstrate emotional maturity and deal with potentially challenging/sensitive situations 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 • Able to maintain confidences Desirable • Hold or being working towards NVQ Level III in Business Administration or equivalent qualification and/or experience. • Knowledge of the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and procedures for the Church of England • Knowledge of electronic administrative/case management systems used in a safeguarding environment and the technology available to support the systems 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. Confidentiality Employees must not pass on to an unauthorised person, any information obtained in the course of their employment without permission of their line manager Terms and Conditions Grade 5 Salary probationary period £15369 pa (£25615 pa full time); on completion of probationary period Salary