Jobs for the Faith-based sector

Are you a confident and experienced leader, with a heart for social justice and passionate about positively transforming society?

Then this could be the role for you. Join us as our next Lead Coach, and use your leadership and interpersonal skills to deliver the Spear Programme in Clapham Junction.

You’ll be working with the St Mark's Battersea Rise to manage the delivery of Resurgo's award-winning Spear Programme. Over the last 20 years, Spear has equipped more than 11,000 young people across the UK with the work-ready skills and mindset they need to succeed in employment, no matter the barriers they face. 

We believe each young person has huge potential. If you do too, and you have the skills and heart to see their lives transformed – join us.

 

The important stuff 

Location: Clapham Junction, office-based

Salary: £27,810 - £29,000

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm with some out-of-hours work needed for events such as our Spear Celebrations

Closing date: We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate

Upcoming Assessment Days: Thursday 20th November

Application pack: Have a look at our application pack for more information about the role and Resurgo

In this role, you’ll be responsible for:

The Lead Coach is primarily responsible for overseeing the training room and group sessions with young people. You will help shape the training environment and will confidently adapt and deliver materials and sessions to work within the group’s development towards work readiness.

Delivery of Spear Programme - Group and 1:1 coaching [60%]

• Preparing and coaching Spear Foundation sessions and 1-1s, ensuring that young people are engaged, retained and work-ready by the end of this initial phase of the programme.
• Building relationships with young people on the programme and managing culture and attitudes in the training room.
• Adapting the Spear coaching material according to the needs of the Trainees and managing behaviour effectively.

Delivery of Spear Career [20%]

• Delivering weekly Spear Career sessions (including running workshops with past Trainees), maintaining records and reporting on statistics, and creatively developing ongoing relationships with Spear Trainees.

Training the Assistant Coach [10%]

• Contributing towards the training and developing of the Assistant Coach by modelling excellent coaching and giving regular feedback.

Trainee recruitment [10%]

• Developing relationships with Job Centres and local referral agencies to ensure that the maximum number of Spear Trainees are enrolled on each programme. This involves liaising with referral agencies, active face-to-face recruitment and monitoring recruitment statistics.

Continuous professional development

• Continually engaging in professional development, including being part of Resurgo’s wider coaching programmes and supporting the Programme Managers with overall team training and development.

Active participation in and support for church team and mission

• As the Spear programme is run by Junction Community Trust in partnership with St Mark’s Church, Battersea Rise, you will be required to establish a strong personal presence at the church to develop the engagement and backing of church members and help build a strong network of supporters for the Spear programme. As part of this you may be asked to speak at church/events and contribute to prayer meetings as per Resurgo’s Christian ethos and the mission of the church

Personal qualities we're looking for:

• An active Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Resurgo and St. Mark’s Battersea Rise
• You have demonstrable experience as a coach, or a background in youth work or teaching, and are keen to develop these skills further
• You have a heart for young people and releasing their potential, no matter what challenging circumstances they are facing
• Effective interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence with a sense of humour and fun
• You are great at building relationships, with solid communication skills
• Good administrative and organisational skills, working well under pressure with the ability to prioritise workload

You can expect:

• A genuine commitment to upskilling you through impressive training opportunities:
  • Support and funding to complete your professional coaching accreditation once you have completed enough coaching hours
  • Progression opportunities through professional development 1-1s
  • Equipping you to have autonomy in your role, through a culture of ‘high challenge, high support’
• A fun, supportive culture where you are encouraged to bring your authentic self to work
• A worshipping community, where you can pray and worship with your colleagues
• Autumn staff conference day, plus a Christmas retreat

A couple of things to note:

• This role requires occasional evening work, for our termly Spear Celebrations (where we celebrate our trainees as they complete the initial six weeks of the programme)
• In the event of a job offer, a DBS check will be requested

Salary: £19,200 per annum pro rata (£32,000 FTE)
Contract: Permanent, part-time (22.5 hours per week) - working days to be agreed at interview
Location: St Edmund House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth, PO1 3QA
Travel: Occasional travel across the Diocese required. Valid driving licence and access to a vehicle essential

About Us:

The Diocese of Portsmouth spans Hampshire, Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, and the Channel Islands. We support 87 parishes and 50 schools, serving over 27,000 practising Catholics and 32,000 children and their families. Our work is meaningful, community-focused, and values-driven.

About the Role:

Are you an experienced and proactive HR professional with a strong understanding of UK employment law and a passion for supporting people? We are seeking a confident and capable HR Advisor to join our Diocese HR Team, providing high-quality advice and guidance to managers and employees across a wide range of HR matters.

This is a pivotal time to join our team as we continue to develop our HR infrastructure and support the implementation of our 10-year Mission Plan. You’ll play a key role in shaping our HR function and contributing to a positive and inclusive working culture.

HR Advisor - Job Description

Advisory

• Provide advice to line managers on employee relations (ER) issues e.g. policies, performance management, end-to-end absence management including return to work meetings, reporting and occupational health referrals etc. Able to resolve complex employee relation issues and conduct investigations where necessary.
• Provide advice to managers across all policy and practice areas, for example on family friendly policies such as maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, carers leave, etc.
• Support the maintenance of existing policy documentation and make changes where applicable
• Proactively take responsibility for the adherence and implementation of HR policies
• Support line managers in the management of employees in probation, and where necessary extension cases
• Support line managers in performance management practices, objective setting and performance improvement plans (PIPs)

HR Analytics

• Report on HR analytics monthly and quarterly for the HR Manager, for example on headcount, sickness, recruitment analytics, staff turnover and remuneration reports.

Benefits and Payroll

• Support the HR Manager with reward strategies and implementation
• Prepare payroll changes each month for HR Manager sign off
• Assist the HR Manager with annual benchmark surveys
• Support the HR Manager in liaison with benefit providers

Talent Acquisition and onboarding

• Work with the HR team for efficient and accurate end-to-end recruitment in all areas across the Diocese.
• Work in liaison with the HR Administrator to coordinate and execute the Diocese recruitment processes to include working with recruitment agencies, posting job adverts, liaising with line managers for shortlisting, offers of employment to suitable candidates, and onboarding.
• Ensuring the new joiner inductions are organised and all documentation has been received and checked.
• In the absence of HR Administrator, produce and issue relevant documentation following promotions, job title changes, salary increases and ensure that HR records are updated accordingly by the HR administrator.

Learning & Development

• Identify learning needs and appropriate methods of meeting needs in the most cost-effective way.
• Support the HR Manager in the delivery of training as required, including annual conferences and line manager training.
• Ensures training requirements are met to fulfil and maintain health and safety requirements such as First Aid and Fire Safety.
• Ensures that refresher training is completed for existing employees in data protection, cyber security, health and safety, and EDI.
• Be a trusted advisor and coach to line managers on people related issues.
• Ensure all documentation is completed by employees who are supported in their further training and education by the Diocese, including a Further Education Support Agreement.

General

• Regular review of data integrity and updates to the HRIS including regular audits.
• Support the HR Manager to drive workforce planning, talent acquisition, and retention strategies
• Deal with queries from the HR inbox to ensure effective and prompt responses
• Involvement in HR projects and new initiatives as required
• Updating of HR intranet pages.
• Contribute to HR-related projects such as organisational change, restructures, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Keep up to date with developments in employment law and HR best practices.
• Support the HR Manager with volunteer management
• Undertake other reasonable tasks as requested by the HR Manager.

HR Advisor - Person Specification

Essential

• Understands the people practices, processes and approaches across the employee lifecycle including for example, recruiting people, conducting learning needs analysis, creating talent pools, developing people policies, analysing people data, managing grievances.
• Able to apply legal knowledge and judgment to people practices
• Able to demonstrate evidence-based practice in decision making
• Proven problem-solving ability
• Understands and interprets data and analytics and its usage, and can measure their impact and value
• Able to explore stakeholder needs and concerns using a range of methods
• Experience of managing change and different approaches
• Understands and can influence the organisation to develop and maintain a positive culture and healthy working environment.
• Able to think in a systemic way to align different elements of the organisations values, culture, structures, people policies and practices to maximise organisational performance
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Proficient in HR systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Minimum CIPD Level 5 qualification

Desirable

• Working towards or holds CIPD Level 7 qualification
• Experience of change management
• Experience of working in the reward arena and adept at data analysis
• Experience in not-for-profit sector or public sector
• Experience supporting organisational change and employee engagement initiatives.

Applicant Information

Employee Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays
• Contributory pension scheme
• Free life assurance
• Employee wellbeing programme

If you are inspired by the idea of working in a values-driven environment where your efforts will have a lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability and motivation for applying. 

Closing date: Wednesday 3rd December at 23:59.

Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the deadline.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

We welcome applications from individuals who support the ethos and values of the Catholic Church. The Diocese of Portsmouth is an equal opportunities employer.

Interview Details

You will be notified shortly after the closing date, should we wish to progress your application and invite you to an interview.

Appointment

Any offer of employment to work at the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is conditional upon receipt of two satisfactory employment references, provision of relevant certification of qualifications held, and completion of pre-employment checks.

You must have a valid UK Right to Work, as the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth does not offer UK Visa Sponsorship.

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