- Location60 Bayliss Street, Auchenflower, QLD, 4066, Australia
- Employee TypeFP - Full-time Permanent
Contact information
- Contact NameNim Sathianathan
- Contact Phone0404076***
- Contact ***************@ucaqld.com.au
Description
Position Description
E/1.5.3
Completed Position Description are to be supplied to People and Culture for endorsement before use.
Position title
Safeguarding Manager
Synod service area
Risk and Safeguarding
Location
Uniting Church Centre, 60 Bayliss Street, Auchenflower
Classification/salary
Award Free – Remuneration Grade 6
[NS1]
Next review date
May 2027
The organisation:
The Uniting Church in Australia is a passionate and diverse Christian church, a community of people who are shaped by Jesus' teaching and example. The church in Queensland includes congregations, faith communities, presbyteries, schools and colleges, early learning centres, hospitals, aged care centres and many expressions of mission and community service. We are a multicultural church, committed to reconciliation with First Peoples and social justice for all, seeking to steward our resources wisely in the furtherance of God’s mission in the world.
The Queensland Synod is the state council of the Uniting Church who come together every 18 months for Synod in Session - a meeting to discern together and make decisions for the management of the Synod.
The Office of the Synod’s purpose is to act upon the discernment of the Synod, to enable, equip and encourage a renewing and growing Church across Queensland. We are mission-driven, service-orientated and relationally focussed.
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.
Key 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.
· Compliance with Queensland Synod policies, procedures and relevant legislation.
· Comply with Health and Safety directions and Public Health directions.
· Undertake other duties as and when directed within the scope of the role and the capabilities of the incumbent.
· Manage the Insurance and Risk Administration Officer
Key performance indicators:
· Safeguarding and Person of Concern incident reduction. - work with congregations and presbyteries to help codesign risk reduction strategies
· Improvement in Safeguarding and Persons of Concern risk culture and compliance
· Positive relationships and positive feedback from a broad range of stakeholders
· Compliance with Child Safety and other relevant regulations – liaise with congregations and presbyteries and other stakeholders to enhance legislative compliance
· Incident Response management – ensure that incidents are accurately recorded in Protecht, acknowledged and responded to in a timely manner
· Accurate, insightful and well drafted communications and reports
· Comply with delegations of the Office of Synod where delegations have been permanently or temporarily assigned to the position.
· Maintain alignment with the Office of Synod purpose, culture and values (values referenced under additional requirements).
Reporting relationship and delegations:
· This position reports to the General Manager, Risk & Safeguarding
Selection criteria:
Qualifications:
· Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Community Services or another related field
Experience and skills:
· Thorough knowledge of, or the ability to quickly gain knowledge of the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2011 and other legislation or standards applicable to the protection of children and vulnerable people.
· Demonstrated understanding of the recommendations of Royal Commissions and other Government bodies into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and its application across a geographically and culturally diverse faith-based organisation.
· Demonstrated understanding of the National Principles for Child Safe organisations and their application.
· Demonstrated understanding of the National Child Safe Policy Framework and their application.
· Demonstrated ability to translate the requirements of the Act into policies, processes and tools which resource and support the mission and ethos and training programs of the Uniting Church.
· Demonstrated ability to develop and implement capacity development strategies, including training and development.
· Demonstrated ability to conduct analytical reviews, identify findings and make recommendations.
· Demonstrated attention to detail, timeliness, analytical and focussed on outcomes.
· Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate orally and in writing with others and manage competing views.
· Demonstrated ability to act with impartiality and honesty
· Commitment to working within the purpose and values of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod and adhering to the policies, organisational requirements and processes
Additional requirements:
· Intra/international travel.
· The successful applicant must be eligible to legally work in Australia and proof of eligibility may be requested.
· Behave in accordance with the values of the Office of the Synod.
[NS1]Review paygrade
Requirements
Position Description
E/1.5.3
Completed Position Description are to be supplied to People and Culture for endorsement before use.
Position title
Safeguarding Manager
Synod service area
Risk and Safeguarding
Location
Uniting Church Centre, 60 Bayliss Street, Auchenflower
Classification/salary
Award Free – Remuneration Grade 6
[NS1]
Next review date
May 2027
The organisation:
The Uniting Church in Australia is a passionate and diverse Christian church, a community of people who are shaped by Jesus' teaching and example. The church in Queensland includes congregations, faith communities, presbyteries, schools and colleges, early learning centres, hospitals, aged care centres and many expressions of mission and community service. We are a multicultural church, committed to reconciliation with First Peoples and social justice for all, seeking to steward our resources wisely in the furtherance of God’s mission in the world.
The Queensland Synod is the state council of the Uniting Church who come together every 18 months for Synod in Session - a meeting to discern together and make decisions for the management of the Synod.
The Office of the Synod’s purpose is to act upon the discernment of the Synod, to enable, equip and encourage a renewing and growing Church across Queensland. We are mission-driven, service-orientated and relationally focussed.
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.
Key responsibilities:
· Ensure the Secure 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 explicit, 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.
· Compliance with Queensland Synod policies, procedures and relevant legislation.
· Comply with Health and Safety directions and Public Health directions.
· Undertake other duties as and when directed within the scope of the role and the capabilities of the incumbent.
· Manage the Insurance and Risk Administration Officer
Key performance indicators:
· Safeguarding and Person of Concern incident reduction. - work with congregations and presbyteries to help codesign risk reduction strategies
· Improvement in Safeguarding and Persons of Concern risk culture and compliance
· Positive relationships and positive feedback from a broad range of stakeholders
· Compliance with Child Safety and other relevant regulations – liaise with congregations and presbyteries and other stakeholders to enhance legislative compliance
· Incident Response management – ensure that incidents are accurately recorded in Protecht, acknowledged and responded to in a timely manner
· Accurate, insightful and well drafted communications and reports
· Comply with delegations of the Office of Synod where delegations have been permanently or temporarily assigned to the position.
· Maintain alignment with the Office of Synod purpose, culture and values (values referenced under additional requirements).
Reporting relationship and delegations:
· This position reports to the General Manager, Risk & Safeguarding
Selection criteria:
Qualifications:
· Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Community Services or another related field
Experience and skills:
· Thorough knowledge of, or the ability to quickly gain knowledge of the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2011 and other legislation or standards applicable to the protection of children and vulnerable people.
· Demonstrated understanding of the recommendations of Royal Commissions and other Government bodies into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and its application across a geographically and culturally diverse faith-based organisation.
· Demonstrated understanding of the National Principles for Child Safe organisations and their application.
· Demonstrated understanding of the National Child Safe Policy Framework and their application.
· Demonstrated ability to translate the requirements of the Act into policies, processes and tools which resource and support the mission and ethos and training programs of the Uniting Church.
· Demonstrated ability to develop and implement capacity development strategies, including training and development.
· Demonstrated ability to conduct analytical reviews, identify findings and make recommendations.
· Demonstrated attention to detail, timeliness, analytical and focussed on outcomes.
· Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate orally and in writing with others and manage competing views.
· Demonstrated ability to act with impartiality and honesty
· Commitment to working within the purpose and values of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod and adhering to the policies, organisational requirements and processes
Additional requirements:
· Intra/international travel.
· The successful applicant must be eligible to legally work in Australia and proof of eligibility may be requested.
· Behave in accordance with the values of the Office of the Synod.
[NS1]Review paygrade
Job preview
The Queensland Synod is looking for an experienced and dynamic Safeguarding Manager to lead its safeguarding strategy and operations. The position supports the Synod Office, congregations, presbyteries, Synod enterprises and businesses such and Uniting Early Learning to achieve best practice in safeguarding of children and vulnerable people. Experience with similar organisations and environments will be highly regarded as well as a demonstrated ability to bring a risk-based approach to safeguarding compliance. You will develop systems and processes for safeguarding compliance as well as well as frameworks for reporting and providing assurance to the Executive. You 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 will also involve training staff and stakeholders on safeguarding frameworks, systems and processes. Relevant qualifications and experience in social work, community services, psychology, risk, investigations or similar will be highly regarded. Strong communication, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills are critical. This is a key leadership position within the Legal and Risk Department managing one other staff member.
📌 Safeguarding Manager
🏢 Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland
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