Liverpool District
District Safeguarding Officer (Part-time)
Job Description
Job title
/ District Safeguarding Officer (DSO) (protection of children and vulnerable adults) for the Liverpool Methodist DistrictSalary
/Up to £9718
Hours
/ Average of 10 hours per week – flexible working hours will be necessary.Accountable to
/The DSO will be employed by the Liverpool District and will be under the line management of the District by Chair
Staff responsible for
/No line management responsibilities
Main working contacts and relationships
/ · the circuit safeguarding representatives;· the Superintendent ministers;
· members of the District Safeguarding Group;
· the District Chair;
· the Warden of the Diaconal Order where safeguarding concerns relate to a deacon
· District and regional colleagues (other DSOs);
· the Discipleship and Ministries Learning Network;
· local Church and Circuit Safeguarding Officers;
· the Connexional Safeguarding Team
· ecumenical and regional safeguarding colleagues;
· statutory agencies especially adult and children’s services, CAMHS (child & adolescent mental health services), police, probation, MAPPA (multi-agency public protection arrangements) and MARAC (multi-agency risk assessment conferences) staff –usually through individual casework.
Work Base
/Home working
Main Purpose of Post:
To take a lead for the Methodist Church in the Liverpool District, on matters relating to the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and of vulnerable adults.
To work closely with the District Chair in providing leadership for good safeguarding practice throughout the churches and circuits of the District.
Main Responsibilities
Compliance with Policies and Strategies
1. Undertake oversight of church, circuit and district compliance with the Methodist Safeguarding Handbook and report quarterly any non-conformances and concerns to the District Chair.
2. Provide policy advice and other guidance to churches and Circuits
3. Ensure that both your own work, and other safeguarding work in the District, is supported through full case recording
4. Serve on the District Safeguarding Group and attend other meetings as required or directed.
Developing good practice and effective training
5. Keep up-to-date with relevant national and Methodist legislation.
6. Ensure that the Circuit safeguarding trainers, superintendent ministers and circuit representatives are kept updated on any relevant matters.
7. Promoting good communication and effective information sharing, including a proper understanding of the bounds of confidentiality.
8. Co-ordinate the provision of opportunities for safeguarding learning /training across the District
9. Work with the Discipleship and Ministries Learning Network in the NW and Mann in the delivery of Foundation and Leadership Modules
Providing advice
10. Being available to offer advice and guidance which will include the following areas:
- Individual cases
- Oversight of covenants of care
- Representing the Church in meetings with external organisations
Undertaking risk assessments in individual cases.
11. Take a lead on working with individual cases in the District including representing the Church in meetings with external organisations
12. Undertake safeguarding risk assessments for the Connexional Safeguarding Advisory Panel
General
13. To implement and follow Liverpool Methodist District policies and procedures.
14. To maintain accurate records in the various media specified for your areas of responsibility.
15. To undertake any training necessary and participate in the organisation’s supervision and appraisal system, and identify further training and personal development needs.
16. The post holder is expected to be flexible in the performance of duties (including some evenings and weekends) and to undertake any other duties identified as appropriate to the post.
Equal Opportunities
Liverpool Methodist District is committed to equal opportunities, anti-discrimination and anti-oppressive policy and practice. No one we have contact with may be discriminated against either directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, race, nationality, religion, cultural group, marital status, sexual orientation, age, or impairment. The policies apply to job applicants, employees, volunteers, users and beneficiaries of our services.
Job Description
All jobs are subject to change from time to time and this job description will be reviewed regularly.
This job description is a guide to the work you will be required to undertake and represents a range of responsibilities commensurate with the grade for the post.
NB
The Methodist Church has identified this role as one requiring an enhanced criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This role will bring you into direct contact with children and vulnerable adults. I will also give you access to sensitive material and/or information.
Prepared by: / Alan LewisDate: / May 2015
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Person Specification
KEY: E= Essential D= Desirable A= application I = interview R= references P= Practical C=Certificate S= Short listing criteriaRequirement /
Essential/
Desirable
/ Assess from:Qualifications
Professional qualification/degree / E / S
Relevant qualification (Child Care, Social Work, Psychology, Health, Probation etc) / D / A C
Experience in the supervision of others, e.g. in Social Work, Probation or other Child Protection or Church related work / D / A C
Knowledge
Safeguarding caseworker knowledge and expertise gained through previous or present professional role, or through the church / E / A I S
Experience and or knowledge of the needs of vulnerable adults and their protection / D / A I
An understanding of child and adult abuse issues / E / A I S
Commitment to ongoing professional development / E / A I S
Knowledge of the law as it affects offenders and up to date legislation / D / A I
Good working knowledge of the statutory and other guidance or policy from Home Office, Dept. of Education, Dept. of Health etc concerning issues related to child and / or adult protection. / E / A I P S
Knowledge of Methodist Safeguarding Policies / D / A I
Computer literate with experience of word processing, spreadsheets and databases. / E / A I P
Skills
Able to develop and maintain relationships and to network effectively / E / A I
Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills both written and oral / E / A I S
Able to reflect on and to analyse complex situations and advise appropriately / E / A I P
Proven ability to work with child and adult protection policies / E / A I P
Ability to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and work sensitively with those affected by issues of safeguarding / E / A I
Ability to identify poor practice and bring about necessary changes. / E / A I
Ability to work on own initiative and with colleagues including volunteers / E / A I
Able to relate to and consult people at all levels including church leaders / D / A I
Experience
Experience of working sensitively in pastoral situations / E / A I S
Experience of working with children and/or young people / D / A I
Experience of working with vulnerable adults / D / A I
Personal Attributes
A satisfactory (safeguarding) enhanced disclosure from the
Disclosure and Barring Service / E / C
Committed to equal opportunities, anti-discrimination, anti-oppressive policy and practice and social inclusion / E / A I S
In sympathy with the aims and mission of the Methodist Church / E / A I S
Knowledge of church structures / D / A I
Enthusiastic and self motivated / E / I
Ability to work sensitively with people of differing viewpoints. / E / I
Ability and willingness to work flexibly including some evening and weekend work. / E / A I S
Able to travel in course of carrying out duties / E / A I S
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