Role Description

Role Title

Safeguarding Committee Convenor

Governance Area

Safeguarding Policy and Compliance

Main points of
contact

Sharon Barr – Committee Secretary and Head of Safeguarding

Sources of Support

Administrative support provided by Emma Pearce - Safeguarding
Co-ordinator

Secretary to the Committee is Sharon Barr

Location

The committee meet 4 times a year; three are online for two hours
and one in September is in full day in person at Church House,
London.

Time Commitment

Remuneration

Three online meetings and one in person meetings per annum
(dates and times suitable for the membership of committee) plus
reading time for papers prior to the meetings which are issued one
week in advance of the meetings. You will meet with the Head of
Safeguarding prior to each meeting and in between as required.

On occasions the committee authorise small working groups for
short pieces of focus work that members are invited to join.

Volunteers are not remunerated. The URC will ensure financial
expenses incurred by volunteers whilst supporting the work of the
Safeguarding Committee will be reimbursed, in accordance with the
URC expenses policy.

Most meetings of the committee are held online, with one in person
meeting each year. All expenses incurred in attending in person
meetings will be reimbursed in full.

Background:

The Safeguarding Committee is a standing committee of the General Assembly, and is the
body responsible for overseeing the implementation of General Assembly’s Safeguarding
Policy throughout the United Reformed Church and to oversee strategic matters related to
safeguarding.

Committee Summary:

See attached Terms of Reference.

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Principal responsibilities and duties

Attending & Participation in Meetings

1.  Attend as many of the Committee’s meetings as practicably possible and must be able

to committee to attending 75% of meetings a year.

2.  Read all papers carefully in advance of each meeting in order to participate in

discussions and ask appropriate questions.

3.  Meet with the Head of Safeguarding (Secretary to Committee) prior to each meeting.
4.  Familiarise yourself with the Committee’s Terms of Reference.
5.  Be willing to support particular pieces of committee work outside of the meetings from

time to time.

Training

1.  Undertake training in key areas as highlighted within the induction and through ongoing

conversation with the Secretary.

Working with other Committees and Volunteers

1.  Review as part of agenda items of the Safeguarding Committee other Committee

papers that need agreement of the Safeguarding Committee.

2.  As required work collaboratively with other Committees on joint areas of work.
3.  Attend General Assembly (GA) and Assembly Executive (AE) both once a year

residentials.

4.  Present papers at GA or AE as required by the Committee.

Expected Standards

1.  Create a culture where safeguarding is a core value of the Church.

2.  Promote a culture of open and effective communication.

3.  Actively foster an environment which nurtures equality and cherishes diversity.

4.  Take responsibility for own personal development and develop skills and knowledge

applicable to this role

5.  Ensure compliance with Safeguarding practice

This role description reflects the overall scope and responsibilities of the role.  However, it
may change and evolve over time in order to meet organisational needs and this job
description will therefore be subject to periodic review and change if required.

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Desirable
•  Strategic management within

the safeguarding field

Role: Convenor of the Safeguarding Committee

Person Specification

Requirements
Experience and
Knowledge

Skills and
Abilities

Essential
1.  A current work knowledge
of safeguarding children
and/or adults at risk
2.  An understanding or

willingness to learn about
contextualised safeguarding
within a faith organisation

3.  Knowledge of URC

governance structures or a
willingness to learn
4.  A member of the URC

5.  Work collaboratively with a

diverse range of people
6.  Good IT skills including

Microsoft Office, Zoom and
email.

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