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.



For more information and to apply please click on Apply, or for an informal conversation about the roles and your suitability, please contact matt.malone@gatenbysanderson.com



To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.




Recruitment Timetable



Closing Date - Strictly

5pm on Monday 23 November 2026



Candidates to be informed of outcome of Shortlisting by

By Friday 27 November 2026



Candidate Assessments (TBC)

w/c Monday 30 November 2026



Final Panel Interview

Monday 7 / Tuesday 8 December 2026




How to Apply



To apply please submit:

• CV (no more than 3 pages)


• Supporting Statement (no more than 3 pages) that provides clear evidence addressing the criteria set out in the person specification. Your supporting statement should explain your motivation for applying for the role and provide clear examples drawn from your experience that demonstrate your ability to meet the criteria.

You will be asked to provide your contact details, complete an equality monitoring form (this will appear on screen as part of the application process) and let us know of any dates when you are not available for interview or where you may have difficulty with the indicative timetable. You must also provide details for two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. These referees will not be approached until the final interview stage and not without your prior permission.