Job Description

Overview

We are seeking someone to join our small admin team for 10 hours a week for a fixed term contract, to focus on Safeguarding and support in other areas when needed. Although the successful applicant is able to work from home, they will be expected to visit our Southampton office for training and reviews.

Interviews will be on the 28th or 29th January 2026

Safeguarding

Carry out a quality assurance and compliance review of all Wessex churches including DBS checks and training. This will involve liaison with church members and Due Diligence Checker (DDC) Accessing the DDC system and URC databases Recording findings and sharing with Synod Safeguarding Officer (SSO)
Under the direction of the SSO ensure that safeguarding quires are triaged appropriately.

To carry out all administration necessary to the development and review of safeguarding policies and guidelines.

To maintain effective recording systems including the URC database and case management system, including training, DBS checks and cases.

Assist the SSO to ensure all church safeguarding policies and records are up to date including DBS check and training records.

To oversee and maintain administrative tasks and systems directly relating to the safeguarding including but not limited to training, cases, DBS checks.

Ensure that all safeguarding guidance and resources is easily accessible to all across the synod and local churches via the Wessex Website.

As requested assist with the review of policies and guidelines.

To support SSO in fostering a culture where safeguarding is positively integrated into the life of the URC Church; maintain and encourage collaborative working relationships with all churches, synod, other denominations, officers and relevant agencies.

To collate information for inclusion in reports for Synod, Synod Executive, Wessex Trust.

To carry out audits of records when required.

Ensure that Wessex ministers DBS and training records are kept up to date and in line with URC policy.

Ensure Synod and Trust employees and volunteers are compliant with safeguarding requirement particularly DBS checks and training

Update the URC database and/or case management with details obtained from annual church safeguarding returns, ensure the quality of the information provided and make contact with local churches to obtain further information if necessary. This will be under the direction of the SSO.

Support with the annual safeguarding returns which are required by all local churches this includes answering question's from local churches, collating the data and reporting the findings to the SSO

To support the work of the governance structure in relation to safeguarding, including attending and servicing relevant meetings if required. This includes ensuring this information is recorded timely and correctly on URC databases.

To systematically ensure confidential and effective synod record keeping systems are correct and up to date, ensuring compliance with URC guidelines and data protection requirements.

To develop and maintain knowledge of URC safeguarding policies and procedures.

Engage in continuing training and professional development

Produce any needed guidance documents

Other Administration

Support the Synod PA and Development Team Administrator where requested

Support Managing Communications, in particular the output of the Synod Newsletter

Assist with Synod Website tasks.

Look at the possibility of using Social Media for the Synod

Skills include:

Attention to detail

Data Entry

Data Collection, collation and analysing

IT Skills, in particular Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Knowledge of using social media

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: 14.40 per hour

Expected hours: 10 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Free parking On-site parking Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Southampton SO14 6UW

Application deadline: 19/01/2026