Regional Officer For Safeguarding

Description:

The Methodist Church is seeking a committed and experienced Regional Officer for Safeguarding to join its newly established safeguarding regional team in the North East of England. This vital role focuses on ensuring Methodist churches provide safe spaces for all, meeting legal safeguarding requirements, fostering best practices, and offering professional guidance on individual safeguarding cases.

The postholder will be responsible for managing individual safeguarding cases, conducting thorough risk assessments, delivering safeguarding training, and providing expert advice to churches across designated Methodist districts. The role involves close collaboration with other safeguarding officers and regular travel within the region to support church communities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take lead responsibility for specific safeguarding cases, ensuring compliance with legal and church safeguarding policies.

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and develop action plans to address identified risks.

• Deliver safeguarding training sessions to church staff, volunteers, and leaders.

• Advise Methodist churches on safeguarding best practices and procedures.

• Collaborate with district and regional safeguarding teams to ensure a consistent approach.

• Maintain accurate and confidential safeguarding records.

• Travel regularly within the North East to provide on-site support.

Candidate Profile:

• Relevant professional qualification in safeguarding, child protection, or adult protection, or significant demonstrable experience in these fields.

• Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, policy, and procedures.

• Experience handling sensitive and complex safeguarding cases.

• Skilled in delivering training and conducting risk assessments.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team.

Benefits:

• Generous annual leave plus 3 additional days over Christmas/New Year.

• TOIL (Time Off in Lieu) and flexible leave arrangements.

• On-site Wellbeing Adviser service.

• Generous occupational pension scheme with up to 8% employer match.

• Inclusive, supportive, and diverse work environment, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, especially Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities.