Safeguarding, De La Salle

Are you seeking a safeguarding position which is:

• A Mission-based, senior role with a profound sense of purpose?
• ‘Future-focused’ with an emphasis on policy development, audit and compliance activities, and safeguarding training?
• Offering attractive remuneration, professional supervision, travel and working-from-home conditions?

The De La Salle Brothers is the largest religious order of Brothers in the Catholic Church dedicated solely to the mission of Christian education.

The De La Salle District of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Papua New Guinea (ANZPPNG) is part of this global Lasallian family, founded over 300 years ago by Saint John Baptist de La Salle.

De La Salle serves communities through a variety of educational and outreach initiatives rooted in the Lasallian mission. These include primary and secondary schools focused on holistic education, youth ministry programs that support young people in faith development, and teacher formation programs designed to enhance leadership and pedagogical skills.

It is further extended via yourtown, which provides vital services to children and young people across Australia, including through the national 24/7 counselling service, Kids Helpline. As leaders in child safeguarding, yourtown support and protect the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, ensuring their voices are heard and they are treated with dignity and respect.

Additionally, De La Salle offers volunteering opportunities and community engagement projects aimed at social justice, supporting marginalized groups, and fostering personal growth through the principles of faith, service, and community.

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting the De La Salle District of ANZPPNG website located at https://www.delasalle.org.au

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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, video or audio recordings.

Position Overview

Position Title: Safeguarding Officer

Reports to: Brother Visitor (Provincial)

Position Purpose

The Safeguarding Officer for the De La Salle District of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan & Papua New Guinea (ANZPPNG) is a key leadership position focused on the provision of expert, technical advice to ensure the effective delivery of, and compliance with the organisation’s safeguarding responsibilities. The position is ‘future focused’ with the Safeguarding Officer responsible for ensuring that safeguarding policies and practices are developed and embedded to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Responsibilities, across the four sectors in the District, include delivering safeguarding training, conducting audits, and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders to foster a culture of safety. The Officer also ensures that all policies align with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and provides timely reporting to leadership and the Safeguarding Committee on safeguarding issues and investigations.

At a later stage in this project, you will be provided a full position description. You will also be briefed on the success criteria for the first 12 months in the role.

Key Relationships

This is a standalone role, reporting directly to the Brother Visitor and working closely with the Professional Standards Officer. The role will have a significant focus on building collaborative relationships with District Lasallian Leaders across diverse Ministries, including yourtown, in the provision of expert Safeguarding advice, guidance and training.

An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this project.

Reason for Vacancy

This role has existed previously. In recent years safeguarding responsibilities have been managed by other leaders, however the importance of safeguarding to the Lasallian mission is reflected in the re-creation of this role.

Commencement

The commencement date is negotiable; however, it is anticipated to be by late January 2025.

Location and Travel

The De La Salle office is situated on Brunker Road, Chullora. De La Salle supports flexible working, with a work pattern of 2 days from home and 3 days from the office.

Given the need for this role to build relationships and provide support to Lasallian Ministries and Leaders across the District, there will be a requirement to travel interstate and overseas in this role.

While the level of travel is negotiable, you should anticipate an average of being overseas for one week, six times a year. A similar level of travel is anticipated within Australia.

Conditions of Employment

• The remuneration package will be discussed as we move through this process.
• Professional Supervision is provided for this role.
• Working from home two days per week, with three days per week at the Chullora office.
• The seniority of the role will require flexibility for travel and some out-of-hours work.
• The initial contract period is 5 years. The standard 6-month probation period applies.
• Applicants will require a current Drivers Licence to fulfil the requirements of the role, as well as a current passport allowing international travel.
• Prior to appointment the successful applicant will possess a current, approved Working With Children Check and complete a successful (as adjudged by De La Salle) National Criminal History Check.

Selection Criteria

We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• Desire and capacity to work for a Catholic employer and a preparedness to learn and promote the Lasallian Mission and values.
• Experience in child protection and safeguarding practices, with exposure to future focused aspects such as:
  • Design and delivery of adult training programs.
  • Policy development to align Standards and legislation to an individual organisational context.
  • Safeguarding audit processes.

• Strong communication, collaboration and engagement skills, and the ability to develop relationships across cultures and ages.
• A proactive and creative approach to establishing fit-for-purpose frameworks, processes and training.
• Tertiary degree in social work, social sciences, teaching, law or other relevant qualification, combined with a track record of ongoing personal and professional learning.

A background in a significantly sized organisation in sectors such education, health, allied health, community or police sectors would be ideal; combined with an understanding of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.

Are You Interested?

If you are interested in this role, please use the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this webpage; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1558. All we require at the outset is a resume, email address and mobile telephone number. No other documentation is required from you to express your interest. All emails and resumes are acknowledged within 48 hours. Please contact us again if this does not occur.

Questions can be directed to John Chesher (0417 068 220) or by email to jobs@traksearch.com.

If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our weekly email alerts.

The Selection Process

The timeline for this project is as follows:

We have been instructed to provide a process that is transparent and welcoming.

• We are available for your confidential enquiries. We will also provide additional information to allow you to explore how the role aligns with your expectations and interests.
• Closing is 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or De La Salle’s schedule.
• We expect to complete a work-related reference prior to shortlisting. We anticipate speaking with another work-related referee between shortlisting and interviews; with final references completed in the final stages of the process. No referee will be contacted without your express consent.
• It is likely that people invited to meet the client will be also be invited to complete on-line psychometric testing.
• The selection committee will likely conduct the initial meetings online.
• Please be aware our standard practice utilises the services of an external specialist in pre-employment screening. This service includes employment history verification; National Police Check; and academic qualifications and professional memberships verification.
• Prior to the shortlisting process, information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to De La Salle, unless you instruct otherwise.
• For more information on our process click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
• Only people with the unrestricted right to work in Australia may apply for this role.
• People are contacted and discussions commence soon after applications are received. We do not wait until the close date. There are advantages in applying immediately.

Trak Search strongly supports the principles of equal employment opportunities in the workplace. We support our clients in recruiting a diverse range of people and a diverse range of talents.

 Trak Search is committed to working with client organisations in the safeguarding of children and young people. Applicants should be aware that in addition to the Working with Children and National Police History Checks required by our client, Trak Search screening processes, interview questions and reference checking will also reflect this commitment.

You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.