Cathedral Safeguarding Officer

We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic and experienced safeguarding professional to work as Cathedral Safeguarding Officer.

The post-holder will work with the Canon Chancellor in his role as Chapter Safeguarding Lead (CSL) to raise and maintain awareness and understanding throughout the Cathedral community of the safeguarding needs of children and adults, and actively promote a culture to ensure that safeguarding is of paramount importance.

The post holder will work closely and collaboratively with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and other Safeguarding bodies.

As part of their role, the Cathedral Safeguarding Officer (CSO) will work closely with the CSL, the Diocesan Safeguarding Team including the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) and the Diocesan Safeguarding Executive Committee (SEC); all other relevant stakeholders including Chapter, Residentiary Canons, staff, the Senior Management Group, Cathedral Safeguarding Committee, King’s School Rochester, and all relevant external agencies, e.g., CofE National Safeguarding Team (NST), Police and Probation services, local authorities, Domestic Abuse Services.  A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is in place between the Cathedral and Diocese concerning shared working relationships and adherence to Diocesan Polices and use of the National Case Management System.

Rochester Cathedral is committed to a culture of safeguarding, especially for children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The Cathedral has adopted the Church of England policy statement ‘Promoting a Safer Church (2017)’; Safeguarding Learning and Development (2024) and the Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance (2021). Every member of our team is recruited according to these policies and is required to complete safeguarding training.

The Cathedral has committed to achieve net zero carbon by 2030 in accordance with General Synod’s vote for the whole of the Church of England to achieve this status in recognition of the global climate emergency.  All employees are expected   to contribute their efforts in achieving this goal.  The Cathedral currently holds the Silver Eco Church Award conferred by the Christian Charty, A Rocha UK.