YOUTH SAFEGUARDING ADVISER

Safeguarding is an essential part in the life and ministry of the Church. It is the
responsibility of us all to ensure our parishes and institutions are safe places for all
comers, especially those who are vulnerable. We all have our part to play.
The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle places a high priority on safeguarding within
its youth ministry. Collaborating closely with the Youth Ministry Trust (YMT), our goal
is to ensure safe, nurturing environments for young people. Safeguarding is not
merely a compliance issue but a core value that shapes our youth engagement. We
aim to enhance spaces where young people feel a sense of belonging and can
realise their potential, with all ministry activities governed by robust safeguarding
standards.

Role Overview–
An innovative role within the Diocese, the Youth Safeguarding Adviser (YSA) will play
a pivotal role in enhancing safeguarding within youth ministry. This position involves
collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure all activities within the Diocese
and the YMT’s spiritual and commercial realms are safeguarded. Reporting directly
to the Diocesan Head of Safeguarding, the YSA will support with the management of
safeguarding initiatives, awareness and oversee training for those involved in youth
ministry. This role is crucial in promoting effective safeguarding and empowering
young people throughout the Diocese.
Key Responsibilities

• Support the ongoing development and implementation of diocesan safeguarding
  policies, ensuring compliance with the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency
  (CSSA) policies and procedures, aligning with a One-Church commitment to
  safeguarding.
• Support in the development of strategies for safeguarding young people within
  Church settings, including organising and delivering appropriate training.
• Promote effective policies and practices throughout the Diocese to minimise
  opportunities for exploitation and abuse.
• Engage directly with young people to understand their needs and perspectives
  on safety within faith-based settings and the broader community.
  
  DIOCESE OF HEXHAM AND NEWCASTLE
• Empower young people across the Diocese by actively engaging them in
  discussions about what makes them feel safe or unsafe.
• Develop relevant and accessible resources for children and young people,
  considering different age groups and diverse learning needs.
• Support youth ministers in delivering programmes that promote youth voices and
  empowerment.
• Collaborate with the YMT and parishes to scope and analyse existing youth
  ministry programmes in relation to safeguarding e.g. Lourdes Pilgrimage, The
  Source, Flame. Identify areas of good practice, opportunities for growth, and
  potential vulnerabilities. Support in the development of a plan to address
  identified risks, focusing on engagement with parishes, Diocesan Catholic
  Education Trusts (CETs), and the wider YMT.
• Deliver safeguarding awareness within the YMT programme and develop
  relationships with the CETs to deliver training within schools as required. Train
  clergy, adult volunteers and young people, providing them with skills to enhance
  safe environments and promote safe behaviours. Ensure the dissemination of
  training and best practice.
• Develop, deliver, and evaluate a clear safeguarding strategy for the YMT, ensuring
  it encompasses all activities throughout the year.
• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders and partner organisations to protect
  children and vulnerable adults. Maintain active links with organisations e.g. Local
  Safeguarding Children Partnerships, The Road Centre.
• Monitor and evaluation practices, with a commitment to sharing lessons within
  the broader youth ministry and safeguarding sectors in the Catholic Church in
  England and Wales.
• Keep up to date with best practice developments for safeguarding, including
  attending CSSA national safeguarding meetings as required.
• Engage in continuing professional development (CPD) and professional
  supervision; where applicable, you will maintain professional registration
  requirements.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested.

Personal Specification
You must have:

• Significant contemporary professional safeguarding experience with children and
  young people, ensuring the voice of the child and vulnerable person is heard.
• Experience in direct work with young people, such as social work, youth work,
  child mental health services, or education.
• Experience of how to respond with sensitivity and compassion to
  victims/survivors of abuse.
• Experience of operating within the legal and procedural framework relating to
  safeguarding, including:
  o The Children’s Act 1989 and 2004
  o Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
  o The Human Rights Act 1998
  o The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Code of Practice
  o The Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR Regulations 2016
• Experience of reviewing information, making recommendations, and taking
  appropriate action where necessary; applying sound judgement, with an
  attention to detail; maintaining confidentiality and building trust.
• Resilience and the ability to work under pressure.
• Skills in conflict resolution, negotiation and problem solving.
• Interpersonal and listening skills; an ability to deal sensitively with young people
  and their families/representatives.
• Skills in understanding appropriate boundaries of responsibility and working
  within them.
• Experience in delivering safeguarding training to both adults and young people.
• Excellent IT skills.
• The ability to work flexibly, including the evening and weekend
• A Full driving licence, access to a car, and willingness to travel throughout the
  Diocese and sometimes the UK.
  The post-holder must be conscientious and loyal to the aims and objectives of the
  Diocese, always having regard to its Catholic character.
  
  DIOCESE OF HEXHAM AND NEWCASTLE
  Application Process
  To apply, please send:
• A letter of application saying why you want to work with us and what you’d bring to
  the role, with examples of how your skills and experience would enable you to fulfil
  your duties and responsibilities
• A CV, including the names of two people we may approach for professional
  references Please send these by email to [email protected]
  For an informal discussion about this role please contact Meriel Anderson, Head of
  Safeguarding, on 07472 068014 or email [email protected] from 30
  December onwards
  Deadline for applications: Thursday 16 January 2025 at 12 noon.
  Pay and Conditions
  What we will offer you:
• Salary: £36,230 per annum and a workplace pension scheme where we match up
  to a maximum of 7.5% of your salary.
• Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, generally Monday to Friday. Evening and
  weekend work will be required.
• Contract: Two-year fixed term contract – subject to 6 months probationary period.
  Location
  Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, St Cuthbert’s House West Road, Newcastle upon
  Tyne, NE15 7PY and throughout the Diocese.
  Benefits
• Holidays: 28 days holiday per year plus statutory holidays.
• Free on-site car parking.
• Health and wellbeing support.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.

Full Details at : Job Vacancies – Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle