The agency is being established to provide independent assurance that Church bodies are complying with national safeguarding standards. A key approach to promoting consistent compliance with national standards will be the development of quality training resources and the effective delivery of training for clergy, religious, volunteers and employees who are involved in Safeguarding in Catholic Church contexts across Scotland.

As the agency’s Head of Training, you will work closely with the Director of Safeguarding to address the strategic priorities set by the Board of non-executive directors. You will work effectively with key stakeholders: survivors, diocesan safeguarding advisers, religious safeguarding link co-ordinators, safeguarding personnel from other Churches and organisations.

You will promote the importance of training that appropriately addresses needs that have been identified by the range of people who are responsible for safeguarding in parishes, dioceses, religious congregations and Catholic organisations. Your work will be informed by the views of those who are expected to participate in training and by emerging best practice for the delivery of safeguarding training and learning. You will encourage and support the recruitment of people who can deliver training at the local level, using resources developed nationally. You will develop a portfolio of safeguarding training resources, including online resources. You will develop effective systems to evaluate the impact of this training on safeguarding practice in various Church contexts.

The agency is being established to provide independent assurance that Church bodies are complying with national safeguarding standards. As the agency’s first Director you will be a person of the highest calibre who will command respect and trust, both across and beyond the community of the Catholic Church, as you work to establish the agency’s profile. You will fill a highly visible position and be an ambassador for the work of the agency.

As the key postholder, you will be expected to provide strategic leadership and effective management, ensuring that it addresses the strategic priorities set by the Board, planning strategically, and deploying resources efficiently. You will be responsible for managing the agency’s annual budget and for controlling expenditure.

You will offer leadership, direction and support to all who hold safeguarding responsibilities in dioceses, religious congregations and Catholic organisations. You will work in partnership with key national agencies and with stakeholders: survivors, diocesan safeguarding advisers, religious safeguarding link co-ordinators, safeguarding personnel from other Churches and organisations. You will offer leadership, direction and support to the Head of Training and to the Office Administrator, both of whom you will line-manage.