Safeguarding Advisory Panel Chair

Safeguarding Advisory Panel Chair

Each Church of England diocese has an independently chaired Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) which has representatives from a range of local statutory bodies and from parishes. Safeguarding advisory panels hold both the professional safeguarding team and the ordained and lay leadership of the dioceses to account.

In the East of England the Dioceses of Chelmsford, Ely and St Albans are combining to seek a new independent Chair for their Safeguarding Advisory Panels. It is hoped that the Chair appointed will work across all three dioceses and will have direct contractual relations with each. The three dioceses will separately confirm the input required from the Chair, likely to include four Panel meetings per year and further work and consultation between meetings likely to total up to 10 days per annum for each diocese.

The independent Chair will be appointed by the bishop in each diocese for a period of three years, with an additional term of three years following a review. The Chair will be an independent lay person, neither employed by the diocese nor discharging managerial functions in the diocese. The Chair will ensure that the DSAP's advisory and scrutiny functions are carried out effectively.

The ideal candidate will have extensive senior safeguarding experience, with experience of case reviews, risk management and strategic partnerships. An up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding practice and legislation is essential. You do not need to be a practicing Christian, but you do need to have a strong desire and commitment to improving safeguarding practice in the Church of England.

The Independent Chair is responsible for ensuring the DSAP discharges its function in holding strategic oversight of safeguarding policy, procedure and practise across the dioceses. The chair will advise and make recommendations to the the dioceses on the developments and effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements.

The Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel will provide effective oversight of safeguarding governance and will work closely with Diocesan Safeguarding Officers to set agendas, monitor performance and actions and facilitate wider strategic conversations as needed with DSAP representatives and wider stakeholders and partners.

The Independent Chair ensures the DSAP has strategic overview of safeguarding practise across the diocese and is in line with the House of Bishops policy and practise guidance. The Chair will work with the DSO to ensure that the DSAP functions effectively. They will also assess and offer views to diocesan leadership on whether the safeguarding team are appropriately resourced as well as the diversity of skill set and experience/background of its members. This will be used to inform resourcing decisions made by the Diocesan Boards of Finance.

Duties of Chair

Note: the duties should be understood to apply in general, but specifically to the individual officers and staff in each diocese:

• To provide effective leadership to DSAPs, including agreeing the agenda, in liaison with the DSO, agreeing minutes, chairing meetings and monitoring the follow-up actions.
• To ensure the DSAP discharges its role and functions in line with the terms of reference.
• To work with the DSO and senior staff to ensure the group 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.
• To ensure that the group considers the needs of victims/survivors and those affected by abuse together with relevant advice.
• To work with the DSO and senior leadership team to ensure that the DSAP is adequately resourced; that there is sufficient capacity and diversity of skills set and experience/background of members; to be involved in recruitment and succession planning.
• To provide an ad hoc point of contact for the DSO and senior staff outside of formal supervisory and management arrangements.
• To advise where necessary the diocesan bishops/nominated individuals/senior leadership teams of specific concerns/issues. Where appropriate to raise and report any concerns/issues as part of whistle blowing arrangements.
• To liaise with the Safeguarding Lead - East Anglia Region on all relevant matters.
• To engage in the chairs' national and regional network meetings, as required.

How to Apply

Click on the 'Apply on website' button below. The closing date for applications is Friday 11 July 2025 at 1700.