Interfaith Safeguarding Coordinator

Job Opportunity: Children’s Interfaith Safeguarding Co-ordinator

Service: Safeguarding and Quality Assurance

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35

Location: Town Hall – Whitechapel Road

Salary Grade: L- £58,551 - £61,686 + Zones 2+3 travel allowance

Eligibility: This is available to internal and external candidates

Please note: You will be expected to be office based at the Town Hall at least 3 days per week.

About the Role

Are you a dynamic and experienced social worker passionate about improving outcomes for children and families? Tower Hamlets is seeking a visionary Children’s Interfaith Safeguarding Co-ordinator to support the Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service in supporting our faith and religious communities in fulfilling their safeguarding responsibilities. This is a great opportunity to truly understand what a different position in Children’s Services involves, in supporting our community. This role will allow you to develop skills outside the usual social work role and provides networking opportunities that may otherwise be difficult to come by. You would be involved in this unique role and its continued development.

As Children’s Interfaith Safeguarding Co-ordinator you will be responsible for actively establishing and developing relationships with and between faith and belief groups in Tower Hamlets and statutory services, to support best practice in safeguarding children and to support those groups in understanding statutory responsibilities through the provision of providing information about working to safeguard children, to include raising awareness about preventing radicalisation, extremism and private fostering.

Key Responsibilities

• To actively establish and develop relationships with and between faith and belief groups in Tower Hamlets and statutory services.
• To act in an advisory role and support faith and belief groups in the delivery of training, awareness raising and practice improvement in safeguarding children, alongside social workers, partner agencies, and Early Help.
• The role would support the work of the Local Authority Designated Officer, where allegations are made against staff working in faith-based organisations.
• To support best practice in safeguarding children and to support those groups in understanding statutory responsibilities through the provision of providing information about working to safeguard children, to include raising awareness about private fostering, honour-based violence, preventing radicalisation and extremism.
• You would be responsible for disseminating and ensuring faith-based organisations are kept up to date with lessons learnt from Child Practice Safeguarding Reviews, local reviews and multi-agency audits

What We’re Looking For

• A qualified experienced social worker
• Minimum 3 years post-qualifying experience in statutory Children’s Social Care
• Someone who is passionate about empowering children and families to find solutions and a safe way forward, with the aim of keeping children at home or within the wider family network; this includes children who are currently, or have previously been, subject to a child protection plan or in care.
• Strong understanding of legislation, safeguarding, and best practice frameworks.
• Experience working in multicultural environments and with disadvantaged communities.
• Commitment to the TOWER values: Together, Open, Willing, Excellent, Respect and Supporting Families framework

Why Join Us?

The Children’s Interfaith Safeguarding Co-ordinator sits within Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service. The SQA is a vibrant, fast paced, and diverse service. We offer a supportive environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of children and families. The appointees will need to match the ambition of the Authority in continuing to develop and strengthen family led practice in a busy and challenging Safeguarding environment.

How to Apply

Please click the apply link to complete an application form on our website.

For more information or an informal discussion, please contact Geraldine O’Donnell Head of Service by email: geraldine.o’donnell@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Closing Date: 2nd November 2025

Short listing W/B 3rd November 2025

Interviews: w/c Monday 10th November 2025