The Church of England
Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer – Chorleywood DBF
The Diocese of Chichester is seeking an experienced and committed safeguarding professional to join our Diocesan Safeguarding Team as Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.
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.
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 the Role
You will:
- 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, collaborating 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 Diocesan Safeguarding Officer in the absence of the Director of Safeguarding
- Contribute to training, policy development, and the promotion of a strong safeguarding culture
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
This role involves regular collaboration with clergy, parish safeguarding officers, senior church leaders, and external partners across the Diocese.
Requirements
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 a 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 judgment
- Reflective, collaborative, and committed to equality and inclusion
- Alignment with the values of the Church of England
For full details, see the job description and person specification.
Benefits
- A salary of £49,536 per annum
- 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and two privilege days per year
- Flexi-time and opportunity to apply for remote working under the DBF policy
- 15.1% employer contribution to the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme (employee contribution between 0–6%)
- Employee Assistance Programme, including access to:
- GP appointments
- Counselling
- Financial & legal support
- Free parking and ride to work scheme
- Development opportunities
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Our mutual values at work are to be Respectful, Professional, Flexible, and Supportive.
Other Information
The post involves:
- Travel across the Diocese
- Occasional evening and weekend work (with Time Off In Lieu)
Chichester DBF 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 comply with the relevant safeguarding policy. This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
For inquiries about the role, contact the Director of Safeguarding (email).
Next Steps
Applications must be submitted via Pathways by midnight, 5 July 2026. Interviews will be held at Church House, Hove on 30 July 2026.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location