Safeguarding Adviser

Support the Church of England’s commitment to creating a safer environment by managing safeguarding concerns and ensuring that appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.

Job title:

Cathedral Safeguarding Adviser (CSA)
Line managed by: Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO)

Employer:

Blackburn Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd
Salary: £15,368 per annum (FTE 38,420 per annum)

Hours:

14 hours per week
Location: Blackburn Cathedral,Cathedral Close, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

The Diocese of Blackburn represents the Church of England in most of Lancashire and part of Wigan Metropolitan Borough, covering an area of 878 square miles with a population of 1.3 million. The Diocese is made up of two archdeaconries, Blackburn and Lancaster, with a total of fourteen Deaneries. There are 281 Churches, comprising around 226 parishes, with around 250 clergy (c.200 stipendiary) and 230 licensed Readers.

Blackburn Cathedral is one of England’s newest cathedrals, yet one of the country’s oldest places of Christian worship. God has been worshipped on this site for over 1,500 years and we are a vibrant community serving the people of Lancashire.

We are looking for a person who can apply good safeguarding practice in a way that delivers positive outcomes for children and adults at Blackburn Cathedral. You will need a relevant professional qualification, and substantial practitioner experience. It’s essential that you have up to date knowledge of statutory safeguarding guidance and legislation, and significant experience in managing safeguarding cases. If you are a team player and passionate about safeguarding, then we would love to hear from you.

The Cathedral Safeguarding Adviser (CSA) will support the Church of England’s commitment to creating a safer environment by managing safeguarding concerns, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring that appropriate safeguarding measures are in place. The role involves working closely with Cathedral staff and clergy, survivors, statutory agencies, and other safeguarding professionals to promote best practices in safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Our Diocesan Safeguarding Team is key in delivering on this commitment. The CSA will be embedded within the Diocesan Safeguarding Team which consists of four safeguarding professionals; the DSO, an Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, a Safeguarding Case Worker, and a Training Officer all supported by a Safeguarding Administrator.

Following an independent audit at both the Cathedral and Diocese we are currently seeking to grow and develop the Cathedral’s safeguarding function. This is an opportunity for an experienced and motivated professional to help shape and deliver our safeguarding work at the Cathedral.

Joint Cathedral and Diocesan working

• Safeguarding arrangements between the Diocese and the Cathedral are formalised within a Service Level Agreement.
• Where an allegation or concern is raised in connection with a Church Officer, the Cathedral Safeguarding Adviser must report to, and consult with the DSO and agree a plan for response, including case lead, respective roles, responsibilities and action.
• The Cathedral Safeguarding Adviser (CSA) has operational authority within the Cathedral, subject to agreement with the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.

The following responsibilities are arranged according to the Church of England’s five National Safeguarding Standards.

Church bodies have safe and healthy cultures, effective leadership, resourcing and scrutiny arrangements necessary to deliver high-quality safeguarding practices and outcomes.

The CSA will lead the Cathedral’s work on this standard by:

• Working with the DSO, Chapter, Dean, other senior clergy, the Chief Operating Officer, other senior staff, relevant Cathedral committees and structures, the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel and key diocesan staff to support, develop and improve the safeguarding practice and culture across the Cathedral.
• Cooperating with and supporting the work of the relevant Cathedral committees and structures and…