Applying for - Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
Location: Hove
Job Type: Perm
Salary: £49,536 per annum
Hours: Full-time (flexi time available)
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 5th July 2026
Interview Date: Hove on 30th July 2026.
About the Role
This is a pivotal leadership role, offering an opportunity to shape and strengthen safeguarding practice across a large and diverse diocese. You will play a key part in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults, while supporting parishes, clergy and diocesan colleagues to uphold the highest safeguarding standards.
Key duties include
* Lead and manage safeguarding casework across the Diocese, ensuring compliance with national Church of England safeguarding standards and statutory guidance
* Provide line management and supervision to the team of Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers
* Oversee triage, risk assessment and allocation of safeguarding referrals
* Manage complex and high‑risk cases, working collaboratively with statutory agencies such as police, social care and probation services
* Ensure high‑quality case recording, quality assurance and continuous improvement of safeguarding practices
* Act as the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer in the absence of the Director of Safeguarding
* Contribute to training, policy development and the promotion of a strong safeguarding culture
This role involves regular collaboration with clergy, parish safeguarding officers, senior church leaders and external partners across the Diocese.
If you are passionate about safeguarding and want to play a key role in protecting and supporting communities across Sussex, we would love to hear from you.
About You
We are seeking a highly skilled safeguarding professional who can demonstrate:
* Significant safeguarding casework experience and strong knowledge of legislation and best practice
* Experience working with victims, survivors and those who pose risk, and partnering with statutory agencies
* Proven ability to embed good safeguarding practice
* Strong leadership, risk assessment and communication skills
* Ability to manage complex cases, quality assure work and maintain confidentiality
* High integrity, resilience and sound judgement
* Reflective, collaborative and committed to equality and inclusion
* Alignment with the values of the Church of England
You can view full details of the in the job description and person specification when you apply.
About the Organisation
The vision of the Diocese is to help people to know, love and follow Jesus. Based in Hove and serving the people of Sussex across more than 360 parishes and 154 church schools and the wider community, this is a great role for someone who supports the ethos, aims and objectives of the Diocese and the Church of England.
As an employer, and as a team, the mutual values at work are to be Respectful, Professional, Flexible and Supportive.
What is on offer
* 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and two privilege days per year.
* Flexi‑time and the opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home for part of the week.
* Membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a 15.1% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 0‑6%.
* Employee Assistance Programme with access to GP appointments, counselling and financial and legal support.
* Free parking, and the ride to work scheme and development opportunities.
Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment and to comply with the relevant safeguarding policy. This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
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