Safeguarding Committee Membersopen

Deadline for applications: 21st June 2026

Inclusive Boards is delighted to be supporting Canterbury Cathedral to appoint new Safeguarding Committee Members.

We are also supporting Canterbury Cathedral to appoint a new Non-Executive Member of Chapter and Lay Canon. To learn more about this opportunity, please visit our Opportunities page. 

About Canterbury Cathedral

Founded by St Augustine in 597 AD, Canterbury Cathedral is a unique place of worship, a major pilgrimage destination, a masterpiece of art and architecture, and one of the UK’s most-visited historic sites. Often referred to as ‘England in stone’, the Cathedral has been at the centre of momentous events and upheavals. It is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion, seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and resting place of royalty and saints.

About the Safeguarding Committee

The purpose of the Safeguarding Committee is to support Chapter in fulfilling its safeguarding obligations by ensuring arrangements relating to all aspects of safeguarding in the Cathedral are fit for purpose and are communicated fully, both internally and externally. ​​​​​The Committee will therefore have an overview of the operational safeguarding activity across the ministries and functions of the Cathedral and must keep the activities and management of safeguarding at the Cathedral under review in relation to such matters as the Chapter has specified in the Terms of Reference.

The Cathedral Safeguarding Committee is not responsible for the management of individual safeguarding cases, which are confidential, although it will ensure that any learning from individual cases is identified and shared appropriately with those who have safeguarding responsibilities in the Cathedral community.

Committee Members are not required to be an actual communicant ​​​​​​​(within the meaning given in Rule 83(2) of the Church of England’s Church Representation Rules).

Person Specification

We are interested to hear from candidates who have a safeguarding background, with strategic expertise in victim/survivor advocacy, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, or regulatory safeguarding (e.g., social care, policing, or education) and are able to meet the following person specification.

Essential:

• Current knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy and practice that encompasses both adults and children.
• Experience of sitting on safeguarding panels.
• Understanding of how to provide effective oversight and scrutiny of safeguarding.
• Be able to provide constructive scrutiny and challenge of process and procedure.
• An ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a team and to shape, drive, scrutinise and monitor decisions.
• Experience of participating fully in discussions and meetings.
• Core values of diversity and inclusion and safeguarding of vulnerable people.
• An ability to identify and manage conflicts of interest.

Desirable:

• An understanding of safeguarding audits in a church context.
• An appreciation of the context for safeguarding in the church.
• Experience of high-level safeguarding meetings.
• Experience in leading case reviews.
• Experience of working in a complex and fast-paced safeguarding environment.
• Extensive multi-agency experience.
• Held a senior position in police, social care or probation, or be able to demonstrate equivalent senior safeguarding experience.

​​​​​​​Canterbury Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

For more information please download the Candidate Information Pack via the links on this page.

How to Apply

The recruitment process is being undertaken by Inclusive Boards on behalf of Canterbury Cathedral. If you wish to apply for this position, please supply the following by 11.59pm on 21/06/2026:

• A detailed CV, setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements 
• A cover letter (maximum two sides of A4) highlighting your suitability for the role for which you’re applying and how you meet the person specification. Please note that the cover letter is an important part of your application and will be assessed.
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​A completed Safer Recruitment Application Form available here. (Also available upon request from Inclusive Boards). Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

​​​​​​​Please also complete our diversity monitoring form found here. The information you provide will stay confidential, will be reviewed and processed separately from the application you make, and is not assessed as part of your application.

To find out more, request support when applying, or have an informal confidential discussion before applying, please get in touch with one of our consultants by emailing canterbury@inclusiveboards.co.uk or calling 0207 267 8369.