Independent Chair of The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP)

Overview

The Bishop is seeking to appoint an Independent Chair for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) of the Diocese of Blackburn.

An honorarium payment of £3000 will be paid to assist with the expenses incurred in the role. The post will be offered for a term of 3 years.

Introduction

The Diocese of Blackburn believes that the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of everyone. It is central to our mission and ministry and is integral to the Diocesan Vision which asks us to consider how to make our church communities healthier.

Main Responsibilities

The DSAP holds strategic responsibility for the governance of safeguarding in the Diocese. The panel is independently chaired and is made up of senior church officers and independent members with safeguarding expertise drawn from a wide range of organisations

Some of the main responsibilities of the independent chair include.

Working with the Diocesan Bishop, the senior staff team, the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel to ensure that the DSAP’s advisory and scrutiny functions are carried out in line with the terms of reference.

 Chair meetings of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP), including, where appropriate any additional DSAP meetings convened as a re-sponse to specific circumstances.

Ensure that DSAP considers the needs and views of victims/survivors and there is a suitable professional member who is familiar with these needs and views, who can be the voice of survivor panels.

Work with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor and senior staff to ensure the panel has a strategic overview of safeguarding practice across the diocese in line with the House of Bishops’ policy and practice guidance, together with appropriate quality assurance and risk management processes. This will in clued ensuring that an up-to-date safeguarding strategy is in place and is regularly reviewed.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate

• Recent, direct and extensive professional safeguarding experience and expertise at a senior level in the relevant statutory, voluntary or judicial agency (for example local authority children and adult service, police, national children’s
• Hold a relevant professional qualification (or equivalent) at degree level (for example, social work, health, teaching, law, police etc.).
• Understanding of the Church of England, its organisation and governance structures
•  Strong organisational awareness to ensure the smooth operation of the DSAP and its relationship to and with other diocesan governance structures
•  A high level of integrity and discretion. Able to handle confidential information with diplomacy and sensitivity.

About us

The Diocese of Blackburn

The Diocese of Blackburn represents the Church of England in most of Lancashire and part of Wigan Metropolitan Borough, covering an area of 878 square miles with a population of 1.3 million.

The Diocese is made up of two archdeaconries, Blackburn and Lancaster, with a total of fourteen Deaneries.

There are 281 Churches, comprising around 226 parishes, with around 250 clergy (c. 200 stipendiary) and 230 licensed Readers

For further information about the Diocese please visit The Diocese of Blackburn (anglican.org)

Full details of the role can be found on the recruitment pack which is attached below.

All interviews to take place at the Diocesan Offices, Clayton House, Blackburn, BB1 2QE.

Diversity - The Board of Finance believes that diversity enables us to thrive and develop and is committed to race equality, welcoming applications from UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds for full details on the role including T & C`s please visit Diocese of Blackburn Jobs | Pathways (churchofengland.org

Next Steps

Please do not apply via the pathways site.

Apply as follows.

Send a completed application form with a covering letter outlining why you are applying and what skills and experience you would bring to the role to:

The Bishops Chaplain, The Revd. Sam Cheesman at chaplain@bishopofblackburn.org.uk

An application form is available at

General vacancies | The Diocese of Blackburn (anglican.org)

Deadline for applications : this role will remain open until the post is filled 

Interviews 1 December 2022