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About the Head of Safeguarding (CSO) Role
Canterbury Cathedral is seeking an experienced and values-led safeguarding professional to join the Cathedral.
This is a significant leadership role responsible for ensuring the Cathedral community provides a safe, welcoming and professionally accountable environment for children, young people, vulnerable adults, staff and volunteers.
Working closely with the Canon Missioner, Senior Leadership Team, Chapter and Cathedral Safeguarding Committee, the successful candidate will lead the development and embedding of safeguarding culture, policy, practice and assurance across the Cathedrals diverse and complex operational environment.
The postholder will act as the Cathedrals professional safeguarding lead and first point of contact for safeguarding concerns, ensuring practice is aligned with:
- Church of England safeguarding policy Promoting a Safer Church
- National Safeguarding Standards
- Guidance issued by the Church of England National Safeguarding Team
- House of Bishops Practice Guidance and Codes of Practice
Key Responsibilities as Head of Safeguarding (CSO)
The Head of Safeguarding (CSO) will:
- Lead and promote a culture of safeguarding vigilance, accountability and shared responsibility
- Provide professional safeguarding advice and manage safeguarding concerns and casework in line with the Diocesan MOU.
- Develop, implement and review safeguarding policies and procedures
- Lead safeguarding audits, assurance activity and action planning
- Produce high-quality safeguarding reports for Chapter and Safeguarding Committee
- Oversee safeguarding training, DBS compliance and safer recruitment processes
- Work collaboratively with diocesan, statutory and national safeguarding partners
- Ensure safeguarding is embedded within strategic planning and operational decision-making
- Provide professional challenge and escalation where safeguarding concerns arise
About You
We are looking for an individual who can demonstrate:
- Significant safeguarding experience within a statutory, education, health, probation, police, social care or equivalent environment
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy and best practice
- Experience managing complex safeguarding casework and risk management processes
- The ability to influence, challenge and build strong professional relationships at all levels within the Cathedral.
- Excellent communication, analytical and organisational skills
- A compassionate, trauma-informed and survivor-focused approach
- Professional integrity, resilience and sound judgement
- An understanding of safeguarding within complex organisations
- Experience of working with Senior Leadership Teams and Boards/Committee Members.
A relevant professional qualification and/or current professional registration is essential where applicable.
Experience of working within church or faith-based settings would be advantageous but is not essential.
Safeguarding Commitment
Canterbury Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
This post is subject to safer recruitment processes, including:
- Enhanced DBS check
- Satisfactory references
- Right to work checks
- Completion of an application form in line with Church of England Safer Recruitment Guidance 2026
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Cathedral is committed to creating a positive, inclusive and respectful environment where everyone can flourish. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to equality of opportunity for all.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted using the Cathedrals official application form in line with Safer Recruitment requirements. CVs submitted without a completed application form will not be accepted.
Interview Information
Interviews will take place in person on 22nd June 2026 at Canterbury Cathedral.
Non Charity Employer 
101 - 500
Thank you!
This role will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of safe, high-quality safeguarding processes, procedures, reporting systems across Galop
This is a high-impact and strategically significant position, ensuring the development and enhancement of safeguarding frameworks.
The post-holder will act as the organisation’s Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, with the Director of Services continuing to hold the Designated Safeguarding Lead role. The post-holder will also work closely with Heads of Service, service managers, senior leadership, , and teams across the organisation to foster a culture in which safeguarding is deeply embedded and consistently prioritised.
This role holds the responsibility for delivering high quality operations as well as quality assuring and providing guidance on complex cases.
Due to the nature of the role, regular evening and weekend work may be required. Hybrid working is available, but it is anticipated that this role will be required to regularly work and attend meetings in the Galop building in central London.
This post is only available to applicants from the LGBTQ community as permitted under the Equality Act 2010 as a Genuine Occupational Requirement.
For more information on this role please download the attached job description.
Location: Galop’s offices are located in London. This role will have the option of hybrid working with at least 2 days a week in the office. We are open to discussing a remote based contract with the successful applicant.
Hours: Full time (35 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent
Reports to: Director of Services
Salary: This role is on Grade B on Galop’s pay scales. You will start on scale point B1, which equates to £49,282.97 per year (including London Weighting of £4,296.25) (£44,986.72 without London Weighting).
Closing Date
Applications should be submitted by 10:00am on 22nd June 2026.
First round interviews will be held from week beginning 6th July and will take place via Microsoft Teams.
REF-228 772
