Charisma's Partnership with the Archdiocese of Birmingham in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

Archdiocese of Birmingham covers a huge geographical area, nurturing the spiritual lives of its parishioners and extending a compassionate hand to those in need. With unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults, the Archdiocese sought the expertise of Charisma Charity Recruitment, a recruitment consultancy renowned for its unwavering dedication to finding exceptional individuals who embody the values and aspirations of its clients.

The task at hand was of paramount importance: to identify a Head of Safeguarding, an individual who would assume the crucial responsibility of overseeing the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults across the entire Archdiocese. This critical role demanded not only a deep understanding of safeguarding principles and procedures but also an unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of protection and care.

Charisma embarked on a meticulous search, employing a multifaceted approach that combined targeted advertising with strategic headhunting. We carefully selected relevant publications, both within the faith community and beyond, to ensure that the role reached a wide pool of potential candidates. Simultaneously, Charisma's consultants leveraged their extensive network of contacts, engaging in discreet headhunting to uncover exceptional individuals who possessed the requisite skills, experience, and passion for safeguarding.

Recognising the importance of community engagement, Charisma developed a comprehensive campaign tailored for the individual churches within the Archdiocese. This campaign provided churches with the resources to share the job opening through their digital and printed communications, effectively extending the search to the very heart of the Archdiocese's community.

This approach yielded an impressive response, with over 40 applications received for the critical role. Charisma's consultants meticulously reviewed each application, assessing the credentials, experience, and motivations of every candidate. From this initial pool, Charisma carefully selected over 20 individuals for in-depth interviews, gaining a deeper understanding of their expertise, values, and commitment to safeguarding.

Through this rigorous screening process, Charisma presented the Archdiocese with a shortlist of 12 exceptional candidates. Each shortlisted individual possessed a strong background in social work, demonstrating their ability to apply safeguarding principles in practical and effective ways. Additionally, each candidate exhibited a deep affinity for the Catholic Church, underscoring their alignment with the Archdiocese's values and mission.

Charisma's commitment to finding the perfect fit extended beyond the initial screening process. Our consultants provided in-depth assessments, evaluating each candidate's ability to navigate complex safeguarding scenarios, their leadership qualities, and their communication skills. This comprehensive evaluation ensured that the Archdiocese would select an individual who not only possessed the necessary expertise but also embodied the compassion, integrity, and leadership required for this critical role.

After a series of rigorous interviews, Charisma proudly presented the Archdiocese with an exceptional social worker to assume the mantle of Head of Safeguarding. This successful placement exemplifies Charisma's dedication to identifying and placing exceptional individuals in critical and hard-to-fill roles. Our expertise in targeted recruitment, coupled with rigorous screening processes and a deep understanding of the Archdiocese's needs, resulted in a placement that would undoubtedly positively impact the organisation moving forward.