Page 9 - LOTN Issue 45

DIOCESE

Diocese looking for volunteers to fill

two important Safeguarding roles

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen is looking for two volunteers, one for the role of Chairman of
the Diocesan Safeguarding team and the other for the role of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor.

Chairman of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Team (Volunteer role)

The Chairman is responsible to the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen and is responsible for
day to day management of Safeguarding projects and procedures. As a volunteer, the role of Chairman requires
an estimated commitment of 5 hours per week. During the weeks when the Diocesan audit is being collated
considerably more hours are worked. Desirable skills include strong, successful strategic leadership skills and
ability to foster a positive work environment. Excellent negotiating, facilitating and influencing skills. Ability
to ensure decisions are taken and followed-up. You are required to join the Protection of Vulnerable Groups
Scheme (PVG) to work with both children and protected adults

Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (Volunteer role)

The role of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor is to advise and assist the Bishop in meeting his Safeguarding
responsibilities. This involves all matters that relate to the protection of children and vulnerable adults in
their contact with Church personnel and/or Church property within the RC Diocese of Aberdeen. Key tasks
are ensuring all allegations are reported to Bishop for referral to statutory authorities. The DSA convenes a
Diocesan Risk Assessment Meeting which is minuted with decisions recorded and Bishop informed.

Key aspects of the role include:
• To be accessible and offer support to survivors.
• Updating the Diocesan website with relevant information for survivors and training initiatives in
relation to the Safeguarding service.
• Liaising with statutory agencies, such as Police, Health and Social work as well as partner agencies
(National office, Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Health in Mind).
• Ensuring compliance with the National Safeguarding Standards within all Diocesan groups.
• Responding to issues emerging from the safeguarding Audit.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, with confidence in dealing with a variety of people.
• Working effectively with partner agencies and establish good working relationships.
• A working understanding of GDPR and confidentiality.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

In addition, a flexible approach to work with occasional requirement to work outside normal hours. The role
of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor requires an estimated commitment of between 5-10 hours per week, spent on
Safeguarding work, both at Diocesan and National level and various training initiatives/meetings online. More
hours will be required during the preparation of the Diocesan Safeguarding audit for submission.

The closing date for applications is the 31st December, 2020.

A comprehensive Job description for both roles are available on request from Cathy Kelly, Bishop’s PA,
bishopspa@rcd-abdn.org

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