Director of Safeguarding

Introduction

The Director of Safeguarding provides single, professional line management for all specialist safeguarding resources across the Diocese. They are directly accountable for the safeguarding strategy of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF), Cathedral and parishes and compliance with the national Church of England Safeguarding Principles, Policies and Practice Guidance. They work with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) and its Independent Chair, who provide independent scrutiny of practice and outcomes, oversee the Diocesan safeguarding strategy, and connect the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (DST) to partner agencies in both the statutory and voluntary sectors.

The Director of Safeguarding leads and champions our commitment to pursing the highest standards of safeguarding across the Diocese, bringing significant experience as a professional safeguarding practitioner at a strategic level, and owning a key role in all our diocesan organisation-wide senior leadership structures and decision making. They embed a trauma informed culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and where the voices of survivors can be heard and continue to shape our safeguarding practice.

As set out in the Canons and Regulations of the Church of England, the Director of Safeguarding (as the designated Diocesan Safeguarding Officer) has responsibility in the Diocese for the professional leadership and management of matters relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.

For an informal conversation, contact the Diocesan Chief Executive via his Executive Assistant, Helen Moore at helen.moore@southwell.anglican.org.

Closing date:               Wednesday 16 September 2026

Interviews:                    Stage 1: Thursday 24 September 2026

                                       Stage 2: Tuesday 29 September 2026 

 An Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for the successful candidate.