Safeguarding Manager

Hybrid Role

Do you want your work to protect the vulnerable, shape culture, and influence policy across hundreds of communities?

Are you looking for a role where you can develop frameworks, training and systems to safeguard vulnerable people and communities holistically?

About Us:

The Uniting Church in Australia (the Church) is a large, uniquely Australian Christian denomination in Australia with heritage from historical reformed evangelical denominations. In Queensland, the Uniting Church has around 250 congregations and has early childhood, schools, colleges and large community services (such as UnitingCare Queensland – BlueCare, Lifeline, Wesley Hospital and Wesley Mission Queensland).

We are a church that values relationships, collaboration, and service, seeking to steward our resources in ways that reflect the love of Christ. The Queensland Synod Office works to enable, equip, and encourage a growing and renewing Church across Queensland, acting in alignment with the discernment of Synod in Session. We are mission-driven and service-oriented, fostering an environment of collaboration, support, and care for the communities we serve.

The Uniting Church is multicultural, committed to reconciliation with First Peoples, calls for reconciliation across its communities and aims to use its people and property resources wisely and in the furtherance of God’s mission in the world.

Position purpose:

The purpose of this role is to provide strategic direction and lead the execution of the Queensland Synod’s Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy. The role is also responsible for overseeing, managing and continuously improving Synod’s safeguarding, Person of Concern and other related frameworks, systems, tools and materials (including training material).

The role will take the lead in investigating, responding to and advising Executive decisions-makers on all matters related to safeguarding and persons of concern. The role may also be required to investigate complaints and discipline matters that involve allegations of sexual abuse.

The role is also responsible for providing reporting on safeguarding compliance and assurance reporting to Synod governing bodies.

The role will involve training staff and stakeholders, liaising with key stakeholders including congregations, presbyteries and other Synod bodies.

Responsibilities:

Ensure the Safe Church/Safeguarding/Person of Concern strategy and related frameworks align with relevant legislation and regulations, and that it focuses on safeguarding all vulnerable persons including children, young people, and adults at risk.

Manage and maintain policy frameworks with a view to continuous improvement of safeguarding and persons of concern policies and procedures.

Manage a suite of on-line tools to support safeguarding efforts of a diverse range of audiences

Conduct annual audits of Registers of Workers, safeguarding training, and screening processes across congregations, faith communities, Presbyteries, and Synod Agencies to ensure robust implementation of safeguarding practices.

Support and build capacity within Presbyteries, congregations and other entities to administer comprehensive Risk Management Strategies that protect all vulnerable persons, through the provision of shared resources and guidance.

Liaise with agencies, regulated businesses, colleges, and schools of the Church to monitor and support alignment of their safeguarding strategies with the broader Policy Framework and Safe Church /safeguarding standards.

Facilitate and support the implementation of safeguarding strategies by Congregational Councils throughout Queensland, providing expert compliance advice and ensuring alignment with State and national legislative compliance and Assembly frameworks/practices and guidelines.

Oversee and ensure the quality of training frameworks, modules, and documentation tailored for diverse audiences, including volunteers in congregations.

Engage actively with partner organisations and communities of practice to share knowledge and collaborate and to build a network of support and resources.

Convene and lead the Safeguarding Reference Group (comprising representatives from entities and agencies across the Synod, meeting at least annually) to promote continuous improvement in safeguarding strategy and resources.

Work with Synod communications to enure clear, consistent messaging on safeguarding responsibilities and updates across Congregational Councils, Presbyteries, the Synod office, and other Synod Agencies.

Develop and implement assurance checks and reports to provide Synod Executive with confidence that safeguarding and persons of concern frameworks are being complied with.

Maintain a deep understanding of cultural values and behaviours that support safeguarding and consistently model these values in all interactions and leadership practices.

Uphold the values of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod, in all professional conduct and relationships with managers, lay staff, ministry agents, clients, and stakeholders.

Ensure compliance with Queensland Synod policies, procedures, and all relevant legislation related to safeguarding and risk management.

Manage the Insurance and Risk Administration Officer.

What's in it for You?

Flexible work hours

Hybrid work location

Free off-street parking at the office

17.5% Annual Leave loading

Extra Day off at Christmas

Employee Culture Club Activities

Paid Parental Leave

Qualifications:

Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Community Services or another related field

Experience and Skills:

Suitability Card for Child Related Employment (Blue Card) – All adults who work with people under 18 years in QLD in regulated employment are required to undergo a “Working with Children Check” under the screening provisions of the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act. Presentation of a current Suitability Card must be made before appointment to the position can be confirmed.

The successful applicant must be eligible to legally work in Australia and proof of eligibility may be requested.

How to Apply

To submit your Cover Letter and Resume please click on 'apply now' and create an account.

Applications are being reviewed as received.

If you are a culturally & linguistically diverse, living with a disability or returning to the workforce after a period of time off raising children, we recognise you are less likely to apply for this position, however we strongly consider those who can meet most of the above and have a great work ethic to formalise their application.

Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod is committed to being a child safe, child friendly organisation and for all children who come into contact with our services we will provide welcoming, safe and nurturing services, prevent child abuse and neglect within our services and appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur.

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