Post Introduction

This role is a Fixed Term Contract running until July 2028.

In February 2025, the Church of England’s legislative body, General Synod, voted on a motion brought by the Lead Bishop for Safeguarding on future structures for safeguarding in the Church of England. Synod votes on next steps for independent safeguarding | The Church of England 

This work was the culmination of a response by the Church of England to two reports published in 2024 about safeguarding structures and operations. The General Synod motion, as amended, sets the direction of travel for safeguarding structures and operations in the future. 

The lead safeguarding bishop and her team are in the process of constituting a Programme Board, which will oversee two Project Boards delivering major workstreams: Scrutiny of Church Safeguarding and Operational Delivery of Church Safeguarding. 

The day-to-day operation of delivering the work that General Synod has commissioned is the responsibility of the Safeguarding Structures Team. This team will deliver work to develop a scrutiny body which will scrutinise the Church of England’s safeguarding activities, through the Project Board delivering Scrutiny of Church Safeguarding.

The Development Manager (Operational Delivery) will play a crucial role in delivering the operational aspects of the Future of Church Safeguarding work, which General Synod has given the Lead Bishop for Safeguarding the mandate to develop. This includes:

• Transfer of most functions currently delivered by the National Safeguarding Team (NST) to an external employer, eventually and after all development, consultation and legislative processes complete
• Further work to determine the legal and practical requirements necessary to implement model 4 which would involve the transfer of safeguarding teams in dioceses and cathedrals to the same external employer as the NST.

The postholder will support a Project Board to advise the Safeguarding Structures Programme Board and governance bodies, each of which will make key decisions about the set up and delivery of external operations functions. They will be the policy liaison during the legislative process and, once relevant policy has been agreed, provide instructions to the legal team to enable all necessary legislation to be prepared.

• Acting as a key adviser to the Programme Director and Programme Board where requested, providing briefings, policy papers, and recommendations for Programme Board discussions. 
• Leading the establishment and operation of the Scrutiny Project Board, working with the Programme Director to recruit members to the Board, defining governance structures, and developing a workplan for the next 12-18 months. 
• Leading and staffing the Scrutiny Project Board, offering expert advice to the Chair and project board members, ensuring that the project maintains momentum and that key decisions are taken. 
• Providing advice through presentations and briefings, and working with the Programme Director, to the House of Bishops, the Archbishops, Archbishops Council and other senior leaders and trustee bodies in order to gather their insights and their direction. 
• Recruiting, developing and leading the staff team working on the Operational Delivery aspects of the Safeguarding Structures work, such as:
• Provides line management and direction to the HR Lead in the development of policy papers, ensuring the integration of technical expertise and the advice of victims and survivors. 
• Provides leadership and expert advice across all functions within the Safeguarding Structures Team, actively guiding and mentoring other team members. 
• Responding compassionately and professionally to high levels of emotion and anxiety from a range of stakeholders, including survivors of abuse and senior and frontline professionals.

• A salary of £68,999 per annum, plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.

• 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus eight bank holidays and three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time).
• We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. This is looked at in a case-by-case scenario and if this fits within the department’s needs. We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
• We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.
• Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK’s leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.
• Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme 
• Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
• Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
• Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.

• Strive for Excellence
• Show Compassion
• Respect others
• Collaborate
• Act with Integrity