Redress Programme Non-Executive Board Chair

Summary

The National Safeguarding Team provides professional safeguarding advice to the Church of England on matters of national policy as part of its wider transformation plan, which includes the development and implementation of national policy, training, quality assurance and audit, and work with survivors. The national safeguarding team also leads complex casework and supports dioceses in their safeguarding of children and adults.

An investigation by the Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse conducted in 2019 has highlighted some areas for improvement in the Church of England Safeguarding Structure and Practices. This investigation reviewed the extent to which the Church of England and the Church in Wales protected children from sexual abuse in the past. It also examined the effectiveness of current safeguarding arrangements. A public hearing on these specific areas was held in 2019. The report, published in 2020, also drew on the previous two case studies on the Anglican Church, which related to the Diocese of Chichester and Peter Ball. In addition to recommendations made in the case studies, IICSA made eight recommendations in this report, covering areas such as clergy discipline, information-sharing and support for victims and survivors.

The Redress Scheme project is part of the Church of England's Safeguarding Programme, which aims to embed structure, quality assurance and continuous improvement in line with its Safeguarding principles. Following the Church of England's recently approval of a comprehensive redress scheme for survivors of Church-related abuse, the project is now moving into the implementation phase, and we are looking for a new member of the team to help us prepare for the opening the Scheme.

• Archbishops' Council representatives

• Diocesan Secretaries representative

• Bishops representative

• Cathedral Clergy representative

• Archdeacons representative

• Regional Safeguarding Lead representative

• Survivor Participation representative

• Diocesan & Cathedral Safeguarding Officer representatives

• Project sponsor

• Lived experience representatives

• Advisors from the project team and wider national church, including legal, finance, policy, and communications

• Capacity requirement is 2-3 days a month, covering approximately 9 - 12 Steering Board meetings per year, which are expected to take place during usual business hours. Meetings should take no more than 3 hours with 2 - 3 hours of preparation time. The Non-Executive Chair may on occasions be asked to represent the Redress Steering Board at other organisational governance meetings, subject to availability.
• While most meetings are held online, applicants should be aware that there could be in-person meetings planned in the future.

• The role of the Non-Executive Chair of the Redress Steering Board is remunerated at £1000 a day. Reasonable expenses for necessary travel, accommodation will be paid in line with the organisational expenses policy.

• We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.
• Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK's leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.
• Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme 
• Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
• Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
• Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.

• Strive for Excellence
• Show Compassion
• Respect others
• Collaborate
• Act with Integrity