MAIN FUNCTION OF JOB

To contribute to the Christian ministry and mission of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) through the delivery of the duties outlined.

To support PCI in ensuring full implementation of a robust child and adult safeguarding approach in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

To have oversight of allocated case work for PCI, under the direction and supervision of the Safeguarding Lead.

To assist the Safeguarding Lead in developing and delivering the child and adult safeguarding programmes for PCI and the various Councils

To be an active member of the General Assembly’s staff team, contributing to the effective administration of its functions within the ethos of PCI.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

A. Practice

1. Drive good practice by implementing, promoting and championing PCI’s child and adult protection policy and procedures across the denomination and externally.

2. Respond appropriately to disclosures or concerns which relate to the well-being of a child or adult at risk of harm, and alert and update the Safeguarding Lead and the Head of Safeguarding in a timely manner.

3. Work with sensitive information within professional boundaries and the Data Protection Act 2018, maintaining accurate, confidential and up-to-date documentation on all issues regarding safeguarding and providing reports where required.

4. Work directly with kirk sessions, presbyteries and congregations in order to strengthen and develop understanding and support for people affected by safeguarding issues, to develop improved responses to situations involving children and adults, in order to respond appropriately to suffering, significant harm or crisis situations.

5. Ensure that safeguarding practice in individual congregations complies with legislation in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

6. Attend and participate in Safeguarding Contracting meetings and Contract Review meetings, some of which may take place out of normal working hours, working closely with Kirk Sessions, Ministers and Designated Persons to do so.

7. Carry out professional assessments of safeguarding related need and risk in respect of congregational arrangements, incidents or allegations.

8. Work within a trauma informed framework in practice with survivors and victims of harm, family members and others involved in situations of safeguarding concern.

9. If required, participate in a duty system within the Safeguarding Department.

B. Advising and Reporting

10. Collate and produce reports, statistical and other information for the PCI Safeguarding Lead and other bodies internally as required, maintaining confidentiality at all times.

11. Ensure appropriate confidentiality is maintained within safeguarding processes.

12. Liaise with, and make referrals to, statutory agencies when required and ensure they have access to all necessary information to make sound judgement and decisions; support those making referrals at congregational level

C. Communicating and Representing

13. Provide appropriate advice to individuals across the denomination with regards to safeguarding issues in general.

14. Collate and produce statistical and other information for Council, panels, committees and other bodies internally as required.

D. Training and Practice Development

15. Participate in the development, delivery and evaluation safeguarding related training for ministers, kirk sessions, designated persons and others engaged in work for PCI

16. Act as a support for PCI’s volunteer safeguarding trainers.

17. Support the updating of guidance/training, policy and procedure in light of changes to UK, Ireland and NI legislation, regional and national policy and guidance documents and best practice; support the Safeguarding Lead in developing and disseminating these documents to improve safeguarding practice.

E. General

18. Maintain familiarity with best practice guidance/training and policy in light of changes to UK, Ireland and NI legislation, regional and national policy and use this familiarity to inform practice

19. Engage effectively in supervision.

20. Undertake such training as may be required for the efficient performance of the above duties.

21. Contribute to the overall departmental effectiveness and perform any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Safeguarding Lead in line with the requirements of the General Assembly or the Clerk of the General Assembly.

22. To contribute to the overall organisational effectiveness and perform any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Clerk in line with the requirements of the General Assembly.

The duties of the post may change over time to meet requirements within the Safeguarding Department.

Safeguarding Officer jobs

Safeguarding Officer