Post Introduction

The Church of England is continually striving to improve its safeguarding practices. The 2020 report by IICSA on the Church highlighted failures in respect of child sexual abuse and, more broadly, the challenges facing the Church to get safeguarding right.

The Church’s aspiration is that safeguarding is not experienced and approached as a matter of administrative compliance. Rather, it should be what the Church is – something that flows from its core beliefs and values, part of its DNA.

The Church has made important and positive strides over recent years. There is, however, still much to be done to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, and to promote their well-being.

The Church is a complex collection of different bodies. Most of the safeguarding work is carried out locally within the 42 dioceses and cathedrals in England. This work is supported centrally by a National Safeguarding Team (NST).

The role is central to safeguarding assurance, reputational risk management, and public confidence in the Church. It will directly impact the credibility and sustainability of the ISAP.

The role will provide strategic leadership and oversight across a high-profile national programme. The person will act with delegated authority from NST senior leadership to shape partnership, change, stakeholder strategy and influence decision-making at senior levels of the Church and external partners.

The role aims to reduce reputational damage, minimise the disruption of audits, and prevent erosion of trust.

Knowledge/Experience

• Demonstrated ability to navigate sensitive, high-profile issues under media or public scrutiny.
• Experience in operating in highly complex stakeholder environments with diverse, and sometimes conflicting, priorities.
• Understanding of safeguarding in institutional or organisational contexts, including the challenges of culture change.

Skills

• Ability to build trust, mediate tensions, and align expectations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, engaging diverse stakeholders with authenticity and expertise. A persuasive and competent presenter at meetings, training sessions and conferences.

• 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.

• 30 days annual leave plus eight bank holidays 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