This part-time, fixed-term role will assist current parish Safeguarding teams to transition to working as a team in their larger parish.
Responsibilities:
1. Coordinate the implementation of the Fit for Mission Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment operational model and existing Diocesan and National Safeguarding Procedures into the larger parish, ensuring successful transition to the new way of working.
2. Collaborate with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, the FfM Senior Project Manager, and Parish-based Change Leads and Facilitators with the transition status relating to safeguarding.
3. Assist the formation of the new safeguarding team in each larger parish, including mentoring newly formed worship communities to advise and/or signpost them to appropriate resources and guidance during the transition period.
4. Provide direct support to worshipping communities who are not yet fully compliant with all Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment processes in preparation for the transition.
5. Provide direction and guidance to clergy, the emerging PCC, and Parish Safeguarding Officers on their responsibilities and accountability.
6. Assist the local support services teams to develop processes for safer recruiting within their Churchsuite CRM.
This is a varied role in which you will be supported to learn and to put your project management and communication skills into practice. You will join a supportive culture that values work-life balance, including flexible working around your agreed number of work hours a week.
This role is 14 hours per week; however, the postholder will need to adopt a flexible approach to their working pattern as there will be a requirement to attend evening and weekend meetings. This is a fixed-term position for 3 years.
What we are looking for:
We are looking for someone who:
1. Has a demonstrable understanding of the specific issues of safeguarding within a faith setting.
2. Understands and is familiar with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
3. Has project/change management experience.
4. Is able to challenge and address misunderstandings and any pockets of resistance where necessary with clarity, compassion, and understanding.
5. Has excellent communication skills.
6. Good IT skills including Microsoft Office / Teams.
7. Is able to work autonomously, is resilient, and manages workload effectively and efficiently.
8. Is flexible in their working arrangements (the role will require evening meetings).
9. Is able to travel to meetings across the Diocese of Liverpool and St James House.
Essential Requirements:
1. Extensive experience of safeguarding children and adults, with a detailed knowledge of and experience in applying safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practice. Understanding of statutory risk assessments.
2. Experience of supporting volunteers.
3. Confidence to work with church leaders, internal safeguarding experts, and other stakeholders with the ability to challenge any misunderstandings of statutory guidance.
4. Working knowledge of using IT and Microsoft Office Suite, e.g., Planner, SharePoint.
5. Able to work flexible hours to meet with church volunteers in locations across Liverpool Diocese.
6. Supports the Diocesan vision: 'we are asking God for a bigger church so we can make a bigger difference; more people knowing Jesus more justice in the world.'
Desirable Requirements:
1. Experience of safeguarding in a church/faith context.
2. Relevant professional qualification or equivalent (for example, social care or criminal justice), with current professional registration where applicable.
3. A member of the Church of England.
4. Knowledge of the structures and organisation of the Church of England.
About us:
The Diocese of Liverpool is implementing Fit for Mission, a six-year step change initiative, encouraged by and in partnership with the Church Commissioners. The aim of the programme is to implement prayerfully, and at pace, a clearly defined and widely owned Diocesan vision and plan for growth and a sustainable future.
As a diocese, we are on a trajectory to have accountable, dynamic, and missional leadership teams in every deanery. Bishops and Archdeacons are leading us forward to work more collaboratively across deanery-scale geography and to focus more time on four priority areas: introducing people to Jesus, deepening discipleship, developing Christian leaders, and working for justice.
Our Fit for Mission programme will help us develop a stronger discipleship culture, train and release lay leaders, as well as plant more diverse worshipping communities.
The diocesan offices provide essential support services to our parishes, with many specialist staff offering expert support to our frontline parishes. We have a reputation for being a creative organisation securing national church backing for a range of innovative projects.
We are a small, supportive team offering a flexible approach. We have adopted a hybrid model balancing office-based with home-based working. We are serious about work-life balance with generous holiday allowances and access to an Employee Assistance Programme. Diocesan staff have a strong working relationship with Liverpool Cathedral, and our offices sit in the shadow of this magnificent iconic building.
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