JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
/ Safeguarding Officer for Baptist Union of Great Britain and the United Reformed ChurchRESPONSIBLE TO:
/ The employer as set out in the contract of employment. In liaison with the Safeguarding Reference Group.SALARY:
/ Band 4JOB SUMMARY:
To develop, manage and implement the United Reformed Church’s and the Baptist Union of Great Britain’s safeguarding policies in accordance with legal requirements and to provide support to URC synods, BUGB Associations and local churches in conforming to best practice in their work with children and vulnerable adults.Principal responsibilities and duties
Policy development and implementation
To:
1. keep abreast of legislation, policy and recognised best practice in England, Scotland and Wales regarding the protection of children and vulnerable adults and to update BUGB (Safe to Grow and Safe to Belong) and URC policies and procedures accordingly.
2. contribute to the ongoing development of safeguarding policy and best practice in partnership and collaboration with Churches and agencies in England, Scotland and Wales as appropriate.
3. ensure that Safeguarding policies and procedures are developed, disseminated and implemented at every level of BUGB and URC life and to work towards their responsible enforcement
Advice and guidance
To:
4. serve as the respective Assembly point of contact for URC synods, BUGB Associations and local churches when abuse is reported or suspected, to support those involved in taking appropriate action and to liaise with the BUGB or URC Media Officer on issues of potential reputational risk.
5. offer guidance as appropriate in safeguarding crises to enable effective support to be given.
6. give advice on matters of Safeguarding policy and practice..
Training
To:
7. organise and deliver training to the URC Children’s and Youth Development Officers and other staff as appropriate.
8. In conjunction with Education and Learning, ensure that appropriate safeguarding training is being undertaken by ordinands, advise on further in service training of ministers, and to advocate the provision of training within the synods to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
9. ensure that Baptist ministers-in-training and others preparing for ministry within the Baptist Union receive training in safeguarding matters
10. ensure that colleagues in the BUGB National Resource at Baptist House, Didcot, and Association Regional Ministers and URC Church House, Synod Moderators and other appropriate staff are kept abreast of safeguarding policy developments.
Decisions and Administration
To:
11. in consultation with senior colleagues as appropriate, make decisions about whether volunteers and locally employed workers with blemished disclosures should be authorised for work with children and/or vulnerable adults in either BUGB or the URC and to advise the BUGB Ministries Team Leader or URC Secretary for Ministries as requested on blemished disclosures of ministers and BUGB/URC centrally employed staff.
12. in accordance with URC Safeguarding policy, receive and hold behaviour agreements between local URC churches and known sex offenders, checking annually to ensure that they are being implemented.
13. draw on consultations with survivors of abuse in order to inform the development of best practice in the BUGB and URC.
14. Ensure administration processes are functioning satisfactorily
Key relationships
1. To participate in the Christian Forum for Safeguarding (four meetings per year).
2. To serve on the board of the Churches’ Agency for Safeguarding on behalf of the United Reformed Church and Baptist Union of Great Britain.
3. To support the URC Children’s and Youth Development Officers (CYDOs) and the Youth & Children’s Work Committee with appropriate training, training resources and advice.
4. To lead the BUGB Safeguarding Network.
5. To cooperate with the URC Ministries Office in their complementary role in applying for CRB checks for ministers and central staff members.
6. To liaise with the URC Education and Learning Office to ensure that safeguarding training is integrated appropriately in EM1, EM2, and EM3.
7. To liaise with the Baptist Colleges to ensure that appropriate safeguarding training is provided to all ministers-in-training.
Disclosure and Barring Service
You will be required to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate.
December 2012
Health and Safety at Work:
You are required to take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and others persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work and to co-operate with the United Reformed Church and The Baptist Union of Great Britain in adhering to statutory safety regulations.
Equal Opportunities:
The United Reformed Church and The Baptist Union of Great Britain will behave as an equal opportunity organisation and not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or age.
This list is an indication of the main tasks to be performed. It is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities and may be subject to amendments to take account of changing circumstances. The job must remain open to new patterns of work and to new responsibilities, should The United Reformed Church General Assembly or The Baptist Union Council and their appointed committees so decide.
The postholder may work principally at the Tavistock Place offices of The United Reformed Church or the Didcot offices of The Baptist Union of Great Britain, by negotiation, and must be willing to travel regularly between these two venues.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE: Safeguarding OfficerREQUIREMENTS /
ESSENTIAL
/DESIRABLE
/MEASUREMENT
Education and qualifications / · Education to degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant qualification (e.g. - Child Care, Social Work, Psychology, Health, Probation, etc). / Application form/InterviewExperience / · Experience in developing and implementing child protection policies and procedures
· Experience of managing projects
· Proven experience in arranging and leading training events
· Managing safeguarding issues with individuals or groups. / · Experience of managing/supervising others (e.g. in social work, probation or other child protection or church-related work).
· Experience and/or knowledge of the needs of vulnerable adults and their protection
· Experience of the structures of the URC or BUGB
· Experience of working ecumenically
· Experience of working with children and/or young people.
· Experience of handling safeguarding issues within a local congregation. / Application form/Interview
Knowledge / · Knowledge of the statutory and other guidance or policy from Home Office, Dept for Children, Schools and Families, etc concerning issues related to the protection of children and vulnerable adults
· Knowledge of best practice in the protection of children and vulnerable adults / Application form/Interview
Skills and
Abilities / · Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills, both written and oral
· Ability to work co-operatively, collaboratively and ecumenically
· Able to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and to work sensitively with those affected by issues of safeguarding
· Strong IT skills (able to use Microsoft Word and Outlook).
· Ability to analyse complex situations and advise appropriately
· Ability to identify examples of poor practice when requested and ensure that necessary change is implemented
· Strong conviction regarding the need to safeguard the vulnerable
· Persuasiveness
· Ability to be directive if necessary
· Willingness to travel around the synods for occasional evening/weekend events
· Ability to work under minimal supervision
· Competent administrator
· Willingness to work within the ethos of a Christian organisation / Application form/Interview
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