Safeguarding Officer - Safeguarding Service

Purpose of Post:

To provide a professional service to congregations, presbyteries, CrossReach and the national offices of the Church of Scotland, in matters relating to safeguarding and the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

Main Duties

•To assess safeguarding and child/adult protection concerns and provide professional advice as appropriate across the whole of the Church ensuring a safe Church for all.

•To adopt an outcome-based approach to practice by ensuring that advice given is implemented and alerting the Service Manager as soon as possible if it is not.

•To work within national legislation, church law, safeguarding policies and procedures, promoting good safeguarding practice at all times and challenging poor practice when needed.

•To assess and manage high risk individuals who pose a risk to children and vulnerable adults in Church communities providing appropriate advice, guidance and ongoing practical support as needed. This includes written risk assessments and plans to reduce risk.

•To ensure that information is shared appropriately with statutory agencies to protect and promote the wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults including contributing to appropriate public protection meetings e.g. MAPPA.

•Ensure timely recording of safeguarding and protection concerns in line with departmental procedures and data protection laws to provide an audit trail of decision making.

•To take responsibility for own professional development by keeping up to date with developments in safeguarding practice, public protection, child and adult development, ensuring an evidence-based approach to practice.

•To deliver safeguarding training programmes as required to congregations, presbyteries, staff of the national offices and CrossReach to raise awareness of Safeguarding, Child and Adult Protection ensuring that everyone knows how to respond in specific circumstances.

OTHER DUTIES

To contribute fully to the Central Services Committee Performance and Development Review (PDR) process

Uphold all six Central Services Committee values while carrying out duties

Any other reasonable duties as directed by management

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