Church communications jobs

Job Title: Group and Family Support Facilitator 

Location:  Multi-site – including outreach and Playskill group locations across Hertfordshire 

Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum (pro rata), depending on experience 

Job Type:  Permanent, Part-time (18.5 hours per week – annualised, majority during term time) 

About us 

Playskill is a small, dedicated charity that provides specialist support for pre-school children with physical development delays and disabilities – and their families. Working through a therapeutic, play-based model, we help children build essential skills while offering practical and emotional support to parents and carers. Our multi-disciplinary team includes physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, educators, and family support staff. We are passionate about creating a warm, inclusive space where children can thrive and families feel empowered. 

About the role 

We are looking for a compassionate and proactive Group and Family Support Facilitator to lead our therapeutic group sessions and support families. 

You will: 

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of group sessions for children with SEND 

• Create a nurturing, safe, and stimulating learning environment 

• Support families with emotional and practical guidance 

• Liaise closely with therapists and specialist workers 

• Build relationships with families, ensuring a holistic support approach 

• Maintain accurate records and contribute to the ongoing development of services 

This is a dynamic role requiring a strong balance of leadership, child-focused practice, and family advocacy. 

Skills and Experience Required: 

We are looking for someone with a Level 3 or higher qualification in Early Years Education, Social Care, or Health, with experience supporting children with SEND and their families. You will have strong communication, organisational, and IT skills (including Office 365 and MS Teams), and be confident leading a team in a multi-disciplinary setting. A solid understanding of child development and safeguarding is essential, along with the flexibility to work across multiple sites. Ideally, you will also have experience in outreach or family support work, knowledge of local services, training in Paediatric First Aid or Health & Safety, and familiarity with communication tools like Makaton. Experience supporting siblings of children with SEND is also desirable. 

Diversity statement:  

Playskill is an equal opportunities employer and has a high number of team with caring responsibilities and is keen to encourage applicants from a diverse number of backgrounds. 

Safeguarding statement: 

Playskill is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Playskill has a full safeguarding policy and expects all staff to undergo safeguarding training.

Deadline for applications:  Thursday, 6th November 2025 
Interview date: Thursday, 13th November 2025 

Interview location: Hemel Hempstead 

 
Reg Charity no 1198233 (formerly 1122745). Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. 

Do you have the skills and experience in using data to shape strategy, enable growth, and make a meaningful impact? Do you have the analytical skills to turn complex information into clear insight that supports decision-making across a diverse organisation?

The Diocese of Rochester is seeking a Data Analyst to provide the evidence, analysis, and interpretation needed to support the Called Together strategy. You will play a crucial role in helping parishes, deaneries, and diocesan leaders understand their context, track progress, and plan for mission and growth.

This is a strategic and impactful role for someone who can combine robust analytical skill with an understanding of people, places, and organisational purpose.

About the Role

You will develop and interpret datasets to support informed decision-making across the Diocese. Your key responsibilities will include:

· Developing a strong understanding of diocesan and external data sources to inform strategy

· Designing and implementing a measurement framework to monitor progress and impact

· Collecting, managing, and integrating quantitative and contextual data from varied sources

· Analysing demographic, attendance, financial, and community data to generate insight

· Supporting social action and community engagement with relevant contextual data

· Designing and maintaining interactive dashboards and visual tools (e.g. Power BI)

· Producing narrative and statistical reports for governance, leadership, and project teams

· Building relationships and engaging with key stakeholders

· Collaborating with national church teams and external partners to align local insight with wider priorities

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

· Aligned with the mission and ethos of the Christian Church and the vision of the Diocese of Rochester

· Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field

· Experienced in data analysis and interpretation, with strong Excel skills (e.g. pivot tables, formulas, data modelling)

· Confident in building dashboards and visualisations using Power BI (or similar)

· Familiar with public data sources (e.g. Census, public health, economic data)

· Skilled in ensuring data quality, integrity, and security

· An effective communicator, able to present insights to both senior leaders and local stakeholders

· Inquisitive, thorough, and able to frame the right analytical questions

· Experienced in developing measurement frameworks to track outcomes

· Organised, flexible, and able to travel across the Diocese, including occasional evenings or weekends

What we can offer:

• Flexible working and TOIL
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Contributory pension scheme
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and counselling service

The Diocese is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

The wider a group’s diversity, the smarter, wiser, and more compassionate and creative its decision making becomes.

We are committed to achieving diversity throughout our Diocese by seeking UKME/GMH colleagues and those from a wide range of backgrounds, to help us create a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 16 November 2025

Interviews will be held on:  Tuesday 25 November 2025

Our overarching vision is to see an increase in the number of those aged 18 to 35 across Baptists Together who find and follow Jesus and grow into their calling and ministry. By this, we hope to initiate and revitalize churches and other expressions of Baptist life.

The Coordinator should pay particular attention to the inclusion of 18-35s from under-represented groups.

We recognise and acknowledge the call to equip a new generation of leaders, and the person who takes on this role will have a key part to play.

We’re looking for passionate, faith-filled Regional Coordinators to help raise awareness, inspire prayer, and grow support across the UK — particularly in Scotland, the Midlands, and London.

About the Role

You’ll be the local face of Barnabas Aid — building relationships with churches, supporters, and Christian communities in your region.

• Share the stories of persecuted Christians and mobilise prayer and action
• Represent Barnabas Aid at church meetings, events, and conferences
• Encourage giving and ongoing support to sustain vital projects worldwide
• Strengthen engagement through inspiring communication and personal connection

About You

• A practising Christian, actively involved in a local church
• Passionate about the global persecuted Church and Barnabas Aid’s mission
• A confident communicator and network builder
• Organised, proactive, and comfortable presenting to groups
• Able to travel within your region

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a mission-driven international ministry that turns compassion into action. Every conversation, event, and prayer you inspire helps bring hope and aid to Christians in need.

We are recruiting for a Philanthropy Manager to manage a portfolio of dedicated major donors who contribute significant funding to the charity, developing and implementing inspiring supporter journeys that encourage repeated/ increased support. The postholder will work within a committed and supportive team environment, working collaboratively to raise awareness of the charity’s services, initiating and building mutually beneficial and sustainable relationships to ensure long-term support.

About Life:

Life is a UK charity for vulnerable women and families facing unexpected pregnancy or pregnancy loss. Life’s aim is to provide housing, care and support to vulnerable pregnant women (typically aged 16-25) who are in crisis situations, such as those facing homelessness (or at risk of), escaping abuse or other traumatic circumstances. We offer supported housing, a helpline and counselling service, and other practical and emotional support. Our services are inclusive; non-judgemental; and client-centred.

Our Values:

All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:

• Humanity – All people are special and equal.
• Solidarity – We’re with you and for you.
• Community – We’re better together.
• Charity – Doing good for one another.
• Common good – Building a better world.

About You

Reporting to the Head of Fundraising, the postholder will work closely with the Individual Giving Manager and other fundraising team members to identify major donor prospects, ensuring thorough research and engagement to cultivate relationships and solicit major gifts. The role will also involve interacting with senior church contacts such as Archbishops and diocesan representatives who have a history of support, so whilst the charity is non-religious and non-political, sensitivity within this jurisdiction will be required.

Information about the role: 

For further information, please see the attached job description. 

Salary: £36,000 – £40,000 FTE

Hours: 21 hours per week over 3 days

Location: Home-Based with frequent travel to supporter locations and occasional travel to Head Office (Leamington Spa)

Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date if a suitable candidate is found.

Benefits:  

At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:  

• Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours) 
• Birthday Leave  (applicable after 1 years service)
• Extra annual leave for long term service  
• Company Pension Scheme  
• Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge 

Safeguarding and Equality: 

Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.   

We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.  

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.  

We’re looking for a caring, motivated and hands-on Community Worker to join our team. You’ll help run our Soup Kitchen sessions at St Peter’s Church in Blackpool’s South Shore, making sure food preparation, service and cleanup run smoothly. You’ll also provide support to people and families facing difficulties such as homelessness, addiction, debt, housing insecurity, mental ill-health or domestic violence. The role includes gathering feedback from attendees, working with volunteers, and building links with local schools, councillors, faith and community groups.

We're looking for someone who is committed to taking our supporters on journeys which inspire them to help people living in extreme poverty fulfil their God-given potential. Is that you?

Our vision is to see people freed from poverty, living transformed lives, and reaching their God-given potential. To make that vision a reality, we are growing a global community of people who want to tackle extreme poverty, and who will be invited to give, pray, campaign, volunteer and make lifestyle changes, partnering with Tearfund in this vision. 

As Marketing Executive - Supporter Journeys, you will be responsible for the delivery of supporter journey activity, planning and executing individual and church supporter journey activities across various channels, including direct mail, telephone, and digital.

Do you have the following experience?

• Delivering marketing/supporter engagement campaigns across multiple channels including direct mail, email and telephone.
• Knowledge of CRM systems and how to use data to design and monitor performance
• Project managing efficiently and communicating clearly with multiple stakeholders
• Monitoring and evaluating campaigns and adopting a test and learn approach

Do you have the following skills?

• Ability to see through projects from start to finish
• A flexible approach to your work, showing agility to adapt and make changes if required
• Highly collaborative
• Ability to influence and work alongside senior stakeholders
• Strategic thinking, and desire to drive forward new ways of doing things.

If that's you, we'd love to hear from you!

Hybrid working: This role is eligible for hybrid working and you will be required to work from  Teddington's Tearfund office and from your home by agreement with the line manager. This currently means around 2 days per month working from the Teddington office, with the rest worked from home.

This a full time role 35 hours per week, flexible working patterns may be considered. 

We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and those from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds (in our UK workforce) as these groups are currently under-represented at Tearfund.

All applicants must be committed to Tearfund's Christian beliefs

The recruitment process will include specific checks related to safeguarding. In addition, personal identification information will be submitted against a Watchlist database to check against criminal convictions as a counter-terror measure. 

As Supporter Engagement Coordinator, you will play a vital role in connecting with individuals and churches who faithfully give and pray for God’s transforming mission in tough places.

In this role, you’ll make a real impact by nurturing meaningful relationships, ensuring our supporters feel genuinely valued and cared for, and helping them experience the joy of seeing the difference their generosity makes.

If you are people-focused, confident on the phone, and skilled in administration, this could be the perfect opportunity to use your gifts in a role that combines care, communication, and purpose.

Full details can be found in the Candidate Pack attached. More information about Innovista can be found on our website.

Hours: Part-time (15 - 22.5 hours/week), permanent.

Location: Home-based with requirement to attend regular team meetings in Oxford.

Salary: £27,000-£30,000 per annum FTE, depending on experience.

To apply, please follow the directions on our website.

• Closing date for applications: Thursday 30 October 2025 5pm.
• After reviewing applications, we'll invite shortlisted candidates to complete two short psychometric assessments. These help us better understand how you work and think. Candidates who are a strong match will then be invited to interview.
• Interviews will take place Friday 14 November, in Oxford.

This role has an occupational requirement to be filled by a Christian under the provisions of the Equality Act (2010).

Innovista is committed to protecting the well-being of children and adults at risk. Our Safeguarding Policy and Whistleblowing Policy are available.

We are recruiting for Community Fundraising Lead to provide support and guidance to individuals and small groups of existing volunteers across a range of geographical areas, many of whom have been on a journey with the charity for decades, recognising their values whilst ensuring the updated mission of the charity is respected and communicated effectively. Working with both the Marketing and Income Generation teams, there will be opportunities to collaborate on projects and develop leads for support to maximise on fundraising activities and donor retention.

About Life:

Life is a UK charity for vulnerable women and families facing unexpected pregnancy or pregnancy loss. Life’s aim is to provide housing, care and support to vulnerable pregnant women (typically aged 16-25) who are in crisis situations, such as those facing homelessness (or at risk of), escaping abuse or other traumatic circumstances. We offer supported housing, a helpline and counselling service, and other practical and emotional support. Our services are inclusive; non-judgemental; and client-centred.

Our Values:

All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:

• Humanity – All people are special and equal.
• Solidarity – We’re with you and for you.
• Community – We’re better together.
• Charity – Doing good for one another.
• Common good – Building a better world.

About You

Reporting to the Head of Fundraising, the postholder will be responsible for building on our existing community fundraising initiatives, which includes networks of loyal volunteers and church contacts – from international pilgrim participants completing fundraising treks to congregations organising bake sales. Liaising with people at all levels, the role will oversee initiatives such as our Ambassador programme, encouraging people to be confident representatives of the charity and ensure they are equipped to share key updates about national campaigns and community fundraising initiatives.

Information about the role: 

For further information, please see the attached job description. 

Salary: £28,000 – £34,000 FTE

Hours: 21 hours per week over 3 days

Location: Hybrid-working based in the Midlands, with frequent travel to supporter locations (Home Counties/ Midlands) and occasional travel to Head Office (Leamington Spa)

Please note, there is a requirement to drive for this role.

Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date if a suitable candidate is found.

Benefits:  

At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:  

• Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours) 
• Birthday Leave  (applicable after 1 years service)
• Extra annual leave for long term service  
• Company Pension Scheme  
• Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge 

Safeguarding and Equality: 

Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.   

We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.  

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity. 

Regional Net Zero Carbon Fundraising Officer

Salary £35,000 - £38,000 FTE

35 hours per week

Three-year fixed term contract

Are you an experienced fundraiser with a proven track record of stakeholder engagement and experience of coordinating and developing large-scale funding proposals? Do you have a passion for the environment and reducing carbon emissions? If so, read on.

The Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon (NZC) programme has been established to help the Church deliver its commitment to reaching its NZC goals. It aims to equip, resource and support all parts of the Church to reduce carbon emissions from the energy used in its buildings, schools and through work-related transport.

All parts of the Church will need to raise funds to implement this Net Zero plan. To this end, the Dioceses of Chelmsford, Ely, Norwich, St Albans and St Edmundsbury and Ipswich are collaborating on the shared ambition to achieve NZC across our diocesan estates and are looking to appoint a Fundraising Officer to work across the region to identify funding opportunities and secure funding towards delivering net carbon zero projects.

This is a new role and, as such, offers an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to make their mark. You will develop and maintain relationships with a range of potential funders and internal and external stakeholders across the region. You’ll need drive, initiative, resilience and the ability to shape an approach to NZC fundraising across the region. Above all, you’ll need to be an excellent communicator and relationship builder with a proven ability to adapt your approach as appropriate, be this creating links with the national NZC Team, influencing and securing funding from grant-making bodies, or delivering training and advice on securing funding locally. Given the scope and nature of the role you’ll also need to be highly organised, flexible and sympathetic to the ethos of the Church of England.

We recognise that this is a specialised role, and training and support will be available for the post-holder both locally and from the national Church of England NZ Fundraising team.

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are also required. The role will be home-based and can be anywhere within the region, with regular travel across the region required. The role will be employed by the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich so line management meetings will be in Ipswich.

The five dioceses are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.   
   

All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory DBS check where required.   

Closing Date for Applications: Tuesday, 18th November 2025 

Interviews: Wednesday, 3rd December 2025 

Finance Manager 
We are seeking a Finance Manager to join the growing Reaching Higher team and bring our finance function fully in-house. We are looking for a skilled and detail-oriented professional who will play a pivotal role in ensuring strong financial systems, accurate reporting, and sound financial planning. The successful candidate will demonstrate a proven track record in financial management and governance, budgeting and forecasting, payroll and pension oversight, and the ability to provide clear strategic insight and analysis to support organisational growth and sustainability.

Purpose of this Role

Our finance functions are currently partially outsourced to an external contractor. Our income has grown significantly over the past five years and our Board have now decided to employ a Finance Manager and bring financial expertise in-house. In this new position as the Finance Manager at Reaching Higher, you will play a vital role in ensuring accurate financial reporting and planning, payroll and pension management, and financial governance and compliance. You will support all aspects of Reaching Higher’s work and development through ensuring strong financial systems. 

You will work closely with our team to ensure that all day-to-day finance requirements are met, including accurate grant finance monitoring and reporting to multiple funders. You will also work closely with our senior leaders and board to build the charity’s financial resilience and the financial awareness of our wider team.

You will work closely with the Executive Assistant & Administrator and report to the Executive Director, as well as working closely with the Executive Team, Treasurer and wider Board. 

About Reaching Higher 

Reaching Higher is a youth organisation which works with over 2000 young people aged 9-21 each year across Croydon and surrounding boroughs. Developed in partnership with local churches, we are a youth-led charity with a Christian ethos and this role is restricted under basis of faith.We have a particular emphasis on providing mentoring support to young people and supporting their development as leaders. We have established strong links with key local, London and UK-wide organisations and our approach leads us into regular working contact with partner schools, community groups and churches.  

Please see our job specification table below for more information.

Qualification 

-AAT or Accountancy body qualified preferred, with at least 5 years’ experience

Experience

-Experience of maintaining accounting ledgers

-Experience of charity accounting & SORP principles

-Experience of a Finance Manager role 

-Experience of using Microsoft packages with excellent IT skills

-Experience of working in a small team

-Experience preparing monthly / quarterly management accounts

-Experience preparing annual statutory accounts and being involved with audit processes

-Experience managing financial operations, planning, reconciliation, reporting and analysis

-Experience of working with and co-ordinating income and expenditure across multi-project budgets

-Experience running monthly payroll 

-Knowledge of a range accounting software – preferably Xero

-An understanding of our work and the sector Reaching Higher operates in

-An understanding of good financial management and the importance of care and accuracy

-Knowledge of financial governance, including accounting regulations and best practice 

Skills

-Well organised, efficient and accurate

-Able to maintain confidentiality and deal with sensitive information

-Articulate with good verbal and written communication skills – ability to work with and support non-financial officers and managers

-Ability to propose new and maintain existing controls within the organisation

-Ability to work independently on multiple projects, organise own workload and prioritise

-Ability to take responsibility for the finances of the charity, and work with the senior team to ensure financial stability and/or growth

Personal Qualities 

-Demonstrable commitment to working in ways which promote equality of opportunity

-Commitment to continuous professional development

-Confident in working alone or at home

-Strong work ethic, results-motivated and solutions-focused

-Ability to work on own initiative, be pro-active, consider implications and make decisions.

-Capable of working to tight deadlines

-Ability to take an agile, flexible and responsive approach to management and responsibilities 

-Willing to strive for quality and excellence, setting high goals and committed to continuous improvement

-Commitment to equality and diversity and an understanding of how to promote them in your work

This permanent, full-time role, to which the Circuit has made an initial five-year commitment, is Circuit-wide, but locally based. The person appointed will help lead the development of a Circuit-led New Places for New People (NPNP) initiative for and with young people within the Circuit, which we anticipate will lead to the upscaling of this area of ministry in the medium term.

 We are seeking a collaborative self-starter who is able to work in strategically missional ways in order to reach and disciple young people, in enabling them to flourish in every part of their lives. You are likely to hold a degree-level qualification in Theology, or a subject related to this area of ministry. Ideally, this might be a professionally-qualifying JNC award. Applicants not holding a JNC, or equivalent, may still be considered.

 A specific faith is an essential requirement for this role and in accordance with the Equality Act, 2010, it is an occupational requirement that the successful candidate is a practising Christian.

The post-holder will have access to office space at The Well Methodist Church, 164 North Road, Darlington, DL1 2EL. However, travel across the Circuit will be required and the post-holder must have access to their own transport. Some evening and weekend work will be required. At least one day will be free from responsibility each week.

We encourage enquires and welcome informal conversations about the role via email to Graham Bright, Community Pastor, The Well Methodist Church. A job information pack and application form accompanies this advert, or, can be found on our website. Please note, we are, regrettably, unable to offer, or support, visa sponsorship at this time. To be considered for this post, completed application forms must be received by email before midday on Thursday 20 November, 2025.

Employer matched pension contributions subject to maximum of 6% of salary - a contribution towards relocation may be possible.

Interview dates will be mutually agreed with candidates.

About the Role

This is a frontline supporter-facing role where compassion meets communication. You’ll:
Respond to supporter queries by phone, email and post, encouraging supporter engagement and raising awareness of the persecuted church.
Process donations and manage records in our CRM (Salesforce)
Pray with and for supporters
Support events, prayer meetings and campaigns
Collaborate with outreach teams to enhance the supporter journey

What We’re Looking For

A practising Christian, actively involved in a local church
Passion for Barnabas Aid’s mission and values
Warm communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
Organised, proactive, and tech-savvy
Previous supporter/customer service or telemarketing experience (ideal but not essential)

Why Barnabas Aid?

We’re a global Christian ministry providing practical help to suffering Christians in 100+ countries. You’ll be part of a friendly, mission-led team making a real impact.

Pray. Serve. Support.
#ChristianJobs #SupporterRelations #SwindonJobs #BarnabasAid #FaithBasedCareers #CharityJobs #CRM #Fundraising #CustomerService #ChristianMinistry

Job Title: Safeguarding Officer

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

Professional Supervision: The Regional Safeguarding Lead

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £22,500 per annum (FTE £39,375)

Hours per week: 20 hours

Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (Pro Rota)

Role Description

The Safeguarding Officer will lead and oversee all aspects of safeguarding within St Edmundsbury Cathedral, ensuring that the Cathedral remains a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

You will be responsible for ensuring that the Cathedral meets all statutory safeguarding obligations and complies fully with the Church of England’s national safeguarding policies, diocesan frameworks, and relevant legislation. This includes proactively identifying potential risks, responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns, and ensuring effective reporting and case management in partnership with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and statutory agencies.

Beyond compliance, this role is about embedding a culture of care, accountability, and transparency across the Cathedral community. You will support clergy, staff, and volunteers to understand their safeguarding responsibilities, ensure safer recruitment and training practices, and provide guidance and reassurance when safeguarding issues arise.

By acting as a source of expert advice, leadership, and advocacy, the Safeguarding Officer will help the Cathedral community uphold the highest standards of safety, dignity, and pastoral care, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstance, can participate fully and confidently in Cathedral life.

The Cathedral Safeguarding Officer has operational authority within the Cathedral (subject to agreement with the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer with respect to responding to concerns and allegations against Church officers) for the following responsibilities, arranged according to the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Standards.

These four National Safeguarding Standards provide the framework for effective safeguarding practice across all Church settings:

1. Culture, Leadership, and Capacity – Promoting a culture where safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of Cathedral life, ensuring that leaders, clergy, staff, and volunteers model and champion best practice.
2. Prevention – Implementing robust safer recruitment, induction, and training processes, and proactively identifying and mitigating potential safeguarding risks.
3. Responding to Concerns – Ensuring that all concerns, disclosures, and allegations are taken seriously, responded to promptly, and managed in partnership with statutory agencies and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
4. Learning, Supervision, and Quality Assurance – Fostering continual improvement through regular review, reflection, and evaluation of safeguarding practice, ensuring accountability and transparency at all levels.

Together, these standards guide the Cathedral’s commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, and trustworthy environment for all who engage with its worship, ministry, and community life.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership

• Act as the Cathedral’s primary safeguarding lead, providing authoritative advice and operational oversight to the Chapter, leadership team, clergy, staff and volunteers.
• Ensure compliance with national Church of England safeguarding guidance, diocesan requirements and all relevant statutory legislation.
• Develop, maintain and drive a measurable safeguarding action plan and improvement programme, ensuring policies and practice are implemented consistently across Cathedral activities.
• Produce clear, timely safeguarding reports and briefings for Chapter and committees translating case and compliance information into strategic recommendations.
• Actively promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, supporting leaders to embed safeguarding into planning, events, recruitment and everyday practice.
• Engaging in professional supervision and quality assurance provided by the relevant Regional Safeguarding Lead, and in continual professional development, including ensuring that the requirements of the National Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework for Safeguarding Officers are met.

Safer recruitment

• Lead and oversee safer recruitment processes for all paid roles and volunteer positions, ensuring job descriptions, interviews and selection processes assess safeguarding suitability.
• Support managers to make informed recruitment decisions and ensure all new starters receive safeguarding induction and appropriate supervision.

Case management

• Receive, triage and respond to safeguarding concerns and disclosures quickly and sensitively, ensuring the safety and welfare of those involved.
• Undertake initial risk and needs assessments and make appropriate referrals to statutory agencies and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
• Support and co-ordinate multi-agency responses where required, and follow agreed safeguarding pathways.
• Provide pastoral support and signposting to victims/survivors while ensuring appropriate boundaries, confidentiality and access to specialist support services.
• Manage allegations involving staff or volunteers in line with diocesan procedures, ensuring safe working arrangements are put in place while enquiries proceed.
• Maintain accurate, secure and auditable case records, ensuring all documentation complies with data protection (GDPR) and Cathedral record-keeping protocols

Meetings & governance

• Attend safeguarding-related meetings, including the Safeguarding Committee, Guild Committee and Forum, providing briefings, presenting reports and highlighting risks and compliance matters.
• Prepare agendas, papers and minutes as required; maintain an action log and follow up to ensure agreed actions are completed.
• Escalate unresolved risks or urgent safeguarding matters to Chapter and senior leadership in a timely and constructive manner.
• Attend Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) Meetings.

Training & awareness

• Lead on Cathedral safeguarding training, coordinate and deliver induction and refresher training for staff, volunteers, and clergy.
• Maintain up-to-date records of safeguarding training for all staff and volunteers (showing completion and renewal dates).
• Create accessible safeguarding information and communications for the Cathedral community (e.g., weekly bulletin items, posters, webpages and event briefings) to raise awareness and reinforce good practice.
• Provide tailored briefings for high-risk roles and ongoing advice to managers and supervisors on safeguarding responsibilities.
• To evaluate training to ensure that learnings have been embedded.

Policy & risk management

• Review, update and implement the Cathedral’s safeguarding policies and procedures on a regular schedule (and sooner where guidance or case learning requires change).
• Lead safeguarding risk assessments for services, events, volunteer activities and external bookings; provide straightforward, action-focused mitigation plans for event organisers and hirers.
• Conduct audits and spot-checks to ensure practice aligns with policy and report findings with recommended improvements.
• Ensure contractors, partner organisations and hirers meet required safeguarding standards and that any safeguarding responsibilities are set out contractually where appropriate.

Additional duties and professional development

• Provide clear, timely advice within agreed working hours and support any out-of-hours arrangements for urgent safeguarding concerns as agreed with Chapter.
• Maintain your own professional development through training, supervision and membership of relevant safeguarding networks; ensure learning is shared across the Cathedral.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties that support the effective delivery of safeguarding across the Cathedral.
• Attend the East Anglia Regional Safeguarding Network meeting three times a year, with other DSOs and CSO in the region

Key Relationships

• In the Cathedral, the Dean provides leadership concerning safeguarding, supported by Chapter and senior leadership team requiring good working relationships with both clergy and lay colleagues.
• It is essential that the CSO forms excellent working relationships with key people in the Diocese, including: the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO), the safeguarding team and other relevant staff; the chair and membership of diocesan safeguarding governance structures e.g., the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) and relevant sub-groups; and the National Safeguarding Team.
• It is essential to have good connections with colleagues in relevant local third sector agencies, including those working in the fields of homelessness, poverty, domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse, refugee support, language and learning support, etc. Adults and children who are using, have used or may use the services of the cathedral, particularly in relation to safeguarding.

Person Spesification 

Essential Qualities

Qualifications

• Relevant safeguarding qualification/training, or willingness to undertake

Experience

• Substantial experience working with safeguarding in roles involving children and/or adults at risk.
• Handling safeguarding referrals, disclosures, and case management.
• Liaising with statutory services such as police, social care, and health agencies.
• Delivering safeguarding training or workshops to diverse audiences.
• Producing reports, maintaining accurate records, and managing confidential data.

Knowledge

• Excellent understanding of current safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practice for children and adults.
• Knowledge of safer recruitment principles and DBS requirements.
• Understanding of GDPR and secure data management in relation to safeguarding.
• Awareness of the Church of England’s safeguarding frameworks and National Safeguarding Standards (or willingness to learn).

Skills and Abilities

• Strong ability to assess risk and make clear, evidence-based decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate sensitively and appropriately at all levels.
• Effective relationship-building skills, including working collaboratively with clergy, volunteers, statutory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• High levels of organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities calmly and effectively.
• Confident in designing and delivering safeguarding training and briefings.

Personal Qualities

• Integrity, resilience, and discretion when managing sensitive information.
• Empathy and pastoral sensitivity towards those impacted by abuse or allegations.
• A collaborative, approachable, and supportive leadership style.
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in challenging situations.
• Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Respect for the Cathedral’s Christian values and willingness to work within its ethos.

Desired Qualities

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. social work, education, counselling, youth work, nursing, or safeguarding).
• Membership of a relevant safeguarding or professional network.

Experience

• Experience working in a Church of England context or other faith-based safeguarding setting.
• Experience of developing and implementing safeguarding policies and risk assessments.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches when supporting victims/survivors.
• Familiarity with Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) roles and procedures.

Skills and Abilities

• Experience in facilitating safeguarding learning using innovative or digital approaches.
• Competence in using safeguarding case management systems or CRMs.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to undergo enhanced DBS checks, including barred lists.
• Flexibility to attend occasional evening or weekend meetings and events.
• Commitment to completing all mandatory safeguarding and leadership training as required by the Cathedral and Diocese.

Closing Date: Wednesday 12 November