College Safeguarding Officer Role Description
The College Safeguarding Officer is the key link between the diocese/national church and the TEI, concerning safeguarding matters. They need not be a tutor but must have status and authority with the College to carry out the duties of the post including committing resources to safeguarding matters, and where appropriate directing other staff.
In many TEIs a single person will be sufficient, but a deputy should be available to act in the lead persons absence. In large establishments, or those with a large number of safeguarding concerns, it may be necessary to have a number of deputies to deal with the workload.
The College Safeguarding Officer, and deputy, should complete Basic and Foundation safeguarding training, prior to completing the Leadership pathway and Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse. They should also complete the pathway for Parish Safeguarding Officers. If they are to have any involvement in recruitment, they should also complete Safer Recruitment and People management. It is recommended that they also undertake the Senior Leadership training. Safeguarding Learning should be renewed every 3 years.
The key tasks of the college safeguarding officer are to:
- Have an overview of all college activities involving children and vulnerable adults and keep a record of these activities.
- Be familiar with national safeguarding guidance and ensure that leaders of activities are fully aware of, and are implementing, this guidance.
- Liaise with the Principal over safeguarding issues, including information sharing with statutory agencies, and if appropriate, safe recruitment.
- Keep in touch with the leaders of all activities and offer them advice and support over safeguarding matters, including where risk assessment is required.
- Liaise as necessary with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers [DSAs]. Report all concerns or allegations against college staff to the relevant DSA, keeping appropriate records.
- Oversee the process for safeguarding training for all students, and where appropriate, staff.
- Assist with safeguarding training in the college as appropriate.
- Attend a meeting of the college governors at least annually to ensure safeguarding issues are discussed and that the college leadership adopt the annual College Safeguarding Policy.
- Ensure that the College Safeguarding Policy with relevant contact details is reviewed annually and displayed in college premises.
- Keep good records of any safeguarding concerns that may arise and ensure that others do the same.
- Promote inclusiveness in places of worship and within church activities.
- Keep the TEI leadership informed of good safeguarding practice.
- In cooperation with the College Principal, undertake an annual college safeguarding self-assessment in the format offered by the National Church.
Time sensitive Tasks in the academic year: (note some variation in the timings of safeguarding training taken in college is possible)
- Ensuring that all new ordinands and licensed lay ministry candidates have shown their DBS to the member of the admin staff tasked to make that check within the first two weeks of their first Autumn term.
- Ensuring that all new ordinands and licensed lay ministry candidates have completed Basic and Foundation safeguarding pathway online before arriving at college.
- Ensuring that all ordinands and licensed lay ministry candidates have completed Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse and all ordinands have completed Safer Recruitment and People Management online at the time required.
- Ensuring that all ordinands and licensed lay ministry candidates have completed the Leadership pathway before ordination or licensing.