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Diocesan Director of Safeguarding

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory are seeking to recruit a Diocesan Director of Safeguarding with responsibility for children and vulnerable adults.

Background Information:

  • The Roman Catholic Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin, and Ossory have parishes in all of County Carlow and County Kilkenny as well as parts of Counties Kildare, Offaly, Laois, Wexford and Wicklow giving a combined total of 98 parishes. Each parish has clergy, staff and volunteers who create, maintain and monitor a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults in all aspects of church life and activity. Together, we are currently seeking to appoint a Diocesan Director of Safeguarding with responsibility for Children and Vulnerable Adults.

Contract Type:

  • Fixed Term for 3 years initially, subject to renewal.
  • 32 hours per week.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Planning and managing Diocesan Safeguarding Services in both dioceses.
  • To act as Designated Liaison Person (DLP) for both dioceses, taking on all reporting and case management requirements and ensuring best practice is adhered to in respect of case management.
  • Reporting to and advising both Bishops in respect of safeguarding matters including case management and the maintenance and creation of safe environments and risk management.
  • Coordinating policies and procedures, in line with TUSLA, HSE and National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church of Ireland (NBSCCCI) guidance’s.
  • Planning and providing training, along with a team of volunteer trainers, for staff and volunteers in the area of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
  • Maintaining and updating training records.
  • Managing and coordinating of regular parish audits in line with the Church’s safeguarding policy.
  • Visiting parishes to ensure best practice is adhered to.
  • Serving and supporting both Diocesan Safeguarding Committees and other relevant bodies.
  • Supporting Parish Safeguarding Representatives and advising parishes on policy and best practice.
  • To support, encourage and facilitate the involvement of young people in our parishes and dioceses
  • Participating in inter-diocesan bodies and attending at relevant conferences and training as appropriate to ensure the development and continuity of best practice in safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults.
  • Carry out other duties appropriate to the office that may arise.

This post will be based between Carlow Town and Kilkenny City and will require travel around both dioceses. As this role will also require delivery of training the successful candidate may be required to attend and deliver training during evenings and weekends.

Reporting Relationship:

The Diocesan Director of Safeguarding is accountable to the Bishops of the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin and the Diocese of Ossory.

Qualifications and/ or experience:

  • The successful applicant must possess a professional qualification in social work or other area related to Child Protection. Other qualifications considered include probation, education, policing, and social care.
  • The successful applicant must have a minimum of three years employment post professional qualification and must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, professional and managerial ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge:

  • Familiarity with church structures and activities
  • Have relevant professional knowledge of the guidance’s, policies and procedures of TUSLA, HSE and the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church of Ireland (NBSCCCI) relating to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
  • Possess applicable professional skills for the delivery of a safeguarding service that includes provision of due care and attention to the protection and welfare of children and of vulnerable adults.
  • Be self-motivated and have willingness and ability to assume an appropriate level of responsibility.
  • Have strong organisational ability and good administrative skills.

Payment:

  • Salary will be commensurate with experience and is available on request.

Closing Date:   11/08/2023    5.00pm

Proposed Interview Date:   23rd August 2023

How to Apply:

  • Applications must take the form of a letter of application addressed to: Aisling Brennan, Bishop’s House, Carlow the application must include stated reasons for the application and one’s suitability to perform the role of Director of Safeguarding along with a Curriculum Vitae. These items should be emailed to [email protected] or posted to Aisling Brennan, Bishop’s House, Old Dublin Road, Carlow, R93 F6D5.

Informal enquiries can be made to:  Rev Dr Dermot Ryan: [email protected]; 056 7721086