Systemic Senior Leadership Safeguarding Training Facilitator – Church of England

Our aim is for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

The Church of England is on a journey to become “safer”. The Church’s vision is to achieve a paradigm shift in which safeguarding becomes part of the DNA of the organisations that comprise it. “Safeguarding learning” has a crucial role to play in achieving this vision. “Safeguarding learning” is more than training people on procedures. Rather, its primary aim is to develop the culture, beliefs, understanding and relationships which are necessary for good safeguarding behaviours.

The National Safeguarding Team is responsible for designing a suite of safeguarding learning pathways which are delivered by local safeguarding trainers in the dioceses, or by the NST itself.

The NST is introducing a model of learning in which the focus is on transformation; connecting with participants at the level of their beliefs and values so that deeper behavioural change is achieved. This involves a move away from class-room teaching to small group engagement where self-reflexivity and dialogue are key learning methods.

This post is based in the National Safeguarding Team which leads and supports safeguarding activity across the Church.

One of the learning pathways which the NST has developed is for senior Church leaders e.g. bishops, archdeacons, cathedral deans, diocesan secretaries, leaders of religious communities, principals of Theological Education Institutions.

This will be delivered to small groups of no more than ten people per cohort comprising the senior leadership teams of the Church’s dioceses, cathedrals etc.

The pathway comprises three separate Zoom sessions with work completed by participants before, between and after each of the sessions.

Issues of leadership, organisational beliefs and culture and understanding of “self” are explored from a systemic perspective.

The pathway will be delivered jointly by one the National Safeguarding Learning and Development Managers and this post, which will lead on the facilitation of the sessions.

Interviews and assessments will take place on either Wednesday 3rd March 2021 or Thursday 4th March 2021.

Please note, if you would like to have an informal conversation regarding this role please contact David Worlock on 07392 081501​

The main responsibilities are

• Leading the facilitation of the Senior Leadership Virtual Safeguarding Pathway sessions for the leadership teams of the Church’s 42 dioceses and 42 cathedrals, together with sessions for other groups of senior leaders.
• Bringing to the sessions ideas and principles from systemic theory and practice relevant to leadership, organisational culture and development of self.
• Creating a trusting space within the groups to enable participants to share safely, and to be responsive to any triggering experienced by participants.
• Assessing the impact of the pathway based on the evaluation methodology that has been created.
• Contributing to other pathways being developed for delivery by the NST, including professional development programmes for Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers and safeguarding trainers.
• ‘Carrying out any other duties as required’.

The ideal candidate should have;

• Able to facilitate groups in a way that ensures maximum engagement by participants, and promotes rich dialogue through which meaning and wisdom are created by the group.
• Able to facilitate groups in a way which encourages self-reflexivity.
• Able to respond to any distress participants might experience.
• Able to build trusting, influential relationships with others quickly.
• Able to challenge constructively.
• Able to adjust approaches to work with the dynamics of particular groups.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Able to communicate complex ideas succinctly and clearly.
• Able to use virtual technology in training and facilitation.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience of safeguarding work with children and/or adults, including the application of systemic theory and practice.
• Experience of facilitating senior leadership groups, including in respect of safeguarding.
• Experience of using systemic theory and principles in learning delivery and facilitation – especially in respect of leadership behaviour and organisational culture.
• Knowledge of national safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and policy (e.g. Children Acts, Care Act, Working Together, criminal justice legislation).
• Knowledge of latest research and developments in adult learning.
• Knowledge of systemic theory and ideas relevant to senior leadership roles.
• Experience of engaging with adults who have experienced abuse / trauma
• Experience of using virtual technology in training and facilitation.

Personal Attributes:

• Able to inspire the trust, confidence and commitment of others.
• Personal authority, gravitas and confidence – able to influence and persuade at all levels and with a range of stakeholders.
• Relational: expert in valuing and managing relationships with others as the means of delivering change. Emotionally intelligent.
• Politically astute – understanding, and managing successfully, organisational politics.
• Principled – strong value base and commitment to doing the right thing.
• Brave – willing to challenge others (including those with power) constructively and to be self-reflexive, welcoming feedback.
• In sympathy with the aims of the Church of England

Education / Professional qualifications:

• Degree level or equivalent
• Professional qualification relevant to safeguarding.
• Successful completion of an Association of Family Therapy accredited course at Foundation or Intermediate level (Post-graduate Certificate or Diploma).

DESIRABLE

• Understanding of Church of England national structures and policies.
• Successful completion of an Association of Family Therapy accredited course at Qualifying level (Master’s).

Circumstances

This role is primarily home based because it requires virtual rather than face to face delivery. Subject to Covid-19 restrictions, the post holder will also be required to maintain contact with the National Safeguarding Learning and Development Managers and wider National Safeguarding Team through attendance at meetings and events in London.

We in the National Church Institutions support the mission and ministries of the Church all over England. We work with parishes, dioceses (regional offices), schools, other ministries and our partners at a national and international level.

Excellence, Respect, Integrity

We follow these three values in everything we do, whether we are of Christian faith, another faith or no faith. To learn more about working for National Church Institutions and our benefits, please click here

As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.

As a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, we welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and to ensuring that everyone, job applicants, customers and other people with whom we deal, are treated fairly and not subject to discrimination. We will do whatever is necessary to provide genuine equality of opportunity. We continuously review our policies and processes to support our aim to create a workforce as diverse as the nation the Church of England serves.