VOLUNTEER ROLE DESCRIPTION - ROI

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ROLE TITLE:Lead Safeguarding Officer

LAST UPDATED: January 2018

REACH: Region –ROI

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1. MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE

To support Samaritans when an adult Safeguarding concern is raised by managing a team of Safeguarding Officers who directly support volunteers when safeguarding concerns occur. To be responsible for safeguarding decisions and all internal records and external referrals.

To implement and support aconsistent Safeguarding approach across the organisation.

To influence and support the development of Safeguarding provision across the organisation.

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2. POSITION AND SUPPORT IN ORGANISATION

Accountable to: Functional Lead for Caller Support(interim) and Regional Director

Accountable for: Safeguarding Officers

Liaises with: Branches, Caller Support, Central Office Quality and Development Team, other Safeguarding Professionals and Statutory services

Works within a team of: Safeguarding Officers

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3. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work within the framework of Samaritans Safeguarding policies and procedures and in relation to specific legislation
  • To support a team of safeguarding Officers as necessary, when responding to internal referrals, supporting decision making and external referrals to other organisations
  • Lead the Samaritan’s response to safeguarding concerns in relation to internal referrals and/or reports to external organisations
  • Liaise with and act as a point of contact with external organisations, in partnership with caller support where necessary
  • To ensure internal reporting of concerns, and that Samaritans decisions are recorded and updated within a suitable timescale to maintain accurate records
  • To ensure adequate provision of Safeguarding support to branch volunteers
  • When safeguarding concerns include both adults and children, work in partnership with the Branch Designated Liaison Officer
  • Work in partnership with other Samaritans Lead Safeguarding Officers as necessary
  • To work with the Safeguarding Manager at central charity tosupport best practice and organisational development of Safeguarding
  • To support the promotion of a confident safeguarding culture across the organisation
  • Liaise with and act as a point of contact with external organisations where necessary,in partnership with caller support
  • Support any disciplinary activity involving Safeguarding Officers or other Samaritans volunteers in relation to safeguarding
  • Work in partnership with caller support to ensure appropriate internal consultation and support planning for callers where a safeguarding concern is identified
  • To be committed to ensuring own knowledge of safeguarding policy and procedures
  • To follow Samaritans’ confidentiality, privacy and data protection policies at all times
  • To ensure training and development needs of the safeguarding Officers are met.

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4. QUALITIES & EXPERIENCE

  • Experience of being a Samaritans volunteer (in any role)
  • Experienced in Safeguarding adults and/or children and knowledge of current legislation
  • To be able to process information in order to make an objective and balanced decision
  • Experienced in case work and ongoing case management
  • To have good IT skills and be able to be in touch regularly by email, via SamsNet and Salesforce.
  • Experience of managing a team
  • Knowledge of data protection legislation.

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5. APPOINTMENT AND TIMESCALES

  • Safeguarding Officer training will be available and on-going training as part of the role
  • The term of office is three years, to be reviewed annually, with the possibility of a further three-year term.

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6. LOCATION, TRAVEL & EXPENSES

  • Safeguarding Officers will operate remotely
  • The role will require attendance at regional and organisation-wide events when appropriate.
  • All out of pocket expenses relating to the role will be reimbursed in line with Samaritans expenses policy.

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7. BENEFITS

  • Opportunity to positively affect the work of Samaritans
  • Be part of a service that make a difference to our callers and our people
  • Opportunity to develop/use skills
  • Personal development and training
  • Opportunity to attend external safeguarding events.

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8. RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS

  • The post will be advertised via Samsnet and Regional Officers
  • Interested volunteers can apply by completing an application form within the set deadline
  • Appointment is made by a selection panel consisting of the Lead Safeguarding Officer, Safeguarding Manager and Head of Quality and Development at Central Office and Trustee with Safeguarding responsibility and will include an interview. The selection panel will be coordinated and supported by the Central Charity Quality and Development team, with advice from Volunteering Recruitment & Selection staff
  • References will be sought both internally and externally
  • Appropriate training specific to the role must be completed
  • A relevant criminal records check will need to be obtained.

Any changes to this Role Description can only be made in consultation with the Regional Directors group, the Lead Safeguarding Officer and the Safeguarding Manager and Volunteering Team at Central Office.

Volunteer role descriptions/Safeguarding Officer/Nov 2016