Independent Safeguarding Complaints Adjudicator

Closing Date: 17:00 on Monday 23rd November

Location: National

Your chance to play a defining role in overseeing a new complaints framework at the heart of the Church of England’s reform programme to strengthen safeguarding and rebuild trust.

The Safeguarding Structures Reform Programme leads the Church of England’s work to strengthen safeguarding practice, improve consistency across its institutions and rebuild public trust through greater independence, transparency and accountability. At the heart of this work is the development of a new national safeguarding framework and a complaints process designed to provide a fair, consistent and transparent route for resolving concerns about how safeguarding matters have been handled.

This ambitious programme represents a unique opportunity to help shape a model that not only responds effectively to individual complaints but also contributes to long-term organisational learning and improvement.

It is in this context that we are now seeking to appoint an Independent Safeguarding Complaints Adjudicator to lead the final ombudsman-style stage of this new process. Acting with complete independence, you will investigate and determine complaints that remain unresolved following a standardised local complaints procedure, ensuring every case receives a fair, objective and evidence-based review. You will assess whether safeguarding concerns have been handled appropriately, produce clear and balanced written determinations, and make recommendations where improvements or remedial actions are required.

Beyond individual cases, you will play a pivotal role in evaluating the pilot, identifying themes and trends, highlighting examples of good practice, and informing the future design of safeguarding complaints handling across the Church of England. This is a rare opportunity to establish and develop a new independent function with significant influence on a high-profile national reform programme.

We are looking for a highly credible leader with substantial experience within an ombudsman, regulatory, complaints or adjudication environment. You will bring exceptional judgement, integrity and independence, alongside the ability to analyse complex information and reach balanced conclusions in often challenging and sensitive circumstances. Experience of trauma-informed practice is essential, as is the ability to engage constructively with a wide range of stakeholders while maintaining impartiality and professional integrity.

You will be motivated by public service, committed to fairness and natural justice, and capable of operating confidently under scrutiny. Your track record will speak to your ability to help build confidence, strengthen accountability and contribute to meaningful and lasting change.