Role: Safeguarding Lead
Organisation: Society of the Sacred Heart, Province of England and Wales
Hours: Part time, initially 2. 5 days per week, 2 of which will be at the Society’s premises in West London.
Salary: Salary £37,503 pa (£18,751 for 18 hours)
Summary:
The Society of the Sacred Heart is an international female Religious Organisation. The Society’s Safeguarding Lead has responsibility to establish and promote best practice in all activities involving the Society’s members and staff, including the care home Duchesne House, based in Roehampton. The post holder is accountable to the Trustees of the Society and on the day to day operational issues to, the Provincial of the Society and her Team. The post holder will work closely with senior staff within the Society.
Role and Accountability:
The Safeguarding Lead is appointed by the Provincial and Team.
The Safeguarding Lead will create relevant local policies and procedures and conduct internal audits to ensure the Society has accurate information in order to comply with the eight standards published by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, (CSSA). The Safeguarding Lead will be up to date with all developments introduced by the Religious Life Safeguarding Service, (RLSS), current legislation and best practice, including recommendations from relevant inquiries and reviews.
The Safeguarding Lead will plan, co-ordinate, and monitor all aspects of safeguarding within the Society, producing regular reports and updates for the Provincial, Team and the Trustees. They will attend workshops and seminars on behalf of the Provincial and disseminate information as needed. The postholder will work closely with the named Trustee for safeguarding ensuring that there are regular reports and updates provided on any agreed action plans.
The Responsibilities and Duties of the Role are:
Increasing the understanding of the need to protect those who may be vulnerable and at risk of abuse, in accordance with the Society’s Safeguarding policy. The post holder will be responsible for the promotion of best practice in safeguarding within the Society in collaboration with the Provincial Team and key staff. They will help to maintain a culture of vigilance, appropriate challenge, and help to create a safe environment for Sisters and staff.
The Safeguarding Lead will be responsible for ensuring there are structures in place for responding to any issues of safeguarding, both historic and current, that may be raised by Sisters or staff. This will include arrangements that are specific for Duchesne House and the resident Sisters there.
They will assess training needs across the Society, in particular the care home and then develop and deliver appropriate training to Trustees, Sisters, and staff.
They will inform and advise the Provincial, Team, Trustees, and key staff on best practice in reporting and managing all matters relating to concerns and allegations of abuse. They will write policies and documents together with implementing systems to ensure the Society meets the 8 standards that will be audited by the CSSA.
The postholder will be responsible for regularly meeting with all key managers in their specific area, including Duchesne House (the Society’s elder care facility), and provide advice and guidance where concerns are raised or allegations made.
On behalf of the Provincial, respond to any allegations and referrals, and act upon them in compliance with Statutory Guidance and timescales, and within the Policies and Procedures of CSSA and RLSS
Person Specification:
Essential Requirements:
- To have considerable experience of working with and understanding Safeguarding at all levels within an organisation.
- To have or the ability to develop a clear understanding of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency standards, Policies and Procedures.
- To be an experienced, confident trainer who can engage with the Trustees, members, and staff of the Society.
- Will have an awareness and understanding of the principles of confidentiality.
- To demonstrate understanding of diversity and the need to respect other people’s needs and circumstances.
- To have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to use these appropriately.
- To have the ability to work with others at different levels including members of the Provincial Team, Trustees, Sisters and staff.
- To have excellent organisational and IT skills.
- To know how to respond appropriately to any allegations and or concerns and to ensure that accurate case recording is completed.
Desirable requirements:
- Experience of working with a Charity.
- Understanding of or willingness to learn about the culture and structures of a Religious Order.
- Knowledge of the Catholic Church’s approach to safeguarding and recent inquiries and consequent developments.
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