Territorial structure update

Closer working relationships

Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant presents the November update on the work of the Structure Co-ordination and Design Group

SINCE our last update, the Structure Co-ordination and Design Group (SCDG) has been working with the Cabinet and divisional leaders to implement the Findings and Proposals Report (see salvationist.org.uk/ strengtheningourfuture).

DHQ employees have been consulted about the proposed changes and provided valuable feedback, which is helping shape local divisional outcomes. We would like to thank employees and DHQ officers for their involvement, feedback and professionalism during this process. The process has concluded and meetings have taken place with employees to discuss individual impacts.

On 9 January 2023, 10 DHQs will start forming their new divisions, working towards streamlined processes and ways of ensuring that support and oversight release local mission expressions to flourish in helping communities find fullness of life in Jesus.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The territory is moving away from the service centre model introduced during Fit for Mission. Instead, the focus will be on a closer working relationship between headquarters – territorial and divisional – and local mission expressions. Of the seven service centres originally set up, only the Leeds, Birmingham and Glasgow sites have leases remaining. These buildings currently host DHQs – the remaining buildings have closed and the teams dispersed to other sites. During the Covid-19 pandemic many teams providing support, such as property, communications, finance, etc, worked more remotely and have since adopted agile working practices as they carry on providing vital support to local mission expressions.

WHAT’S CHANGING AT EACH DHQ?

At corps level, it’s unlikely changes will be noticed initially – we’ve consistently resisted the temptation to go for ‘big bang’ change and we are committed to continuous improvement. There are some encouraging indicators of substantial change. For instance, the current DHQ officer staffing plans project a reduction in the number of full-time officers based at DHQs by more than 20 per cent by July 2023 (from 82 to 64). There will be an increase in part-time officers at DHQs, who will be practitioners so they will also have responsibilities in corps and other local mission expressions. We hope this will build greater learning and collaboration across the divisions and DHQs.

Not all DHQs will be structured or staffed identically. Employee job profiles will be consistent, but there will be more flexibility in determining officer responsibilities. Each DHQ team will work out together how to cover an agreed set of key tasks and responsibilities. Once they have been approved by the Chief Secretary, divisional officers will receive personalised briefs of appointment outlining their role, which might vary slightly from a colleague in another division with the same title. This is a new way of working, but it is a desire to ensure DHQs are responsive to their local context and are using the gifts and experiences of their officers. This is an intentional move away from a one-sizefits-all approach to DHQs.

Larger divisions mean it’s vital that corps and other local mission expressions draw the support they need from the full DHQ team rather than only the divisional leaders (DLs). The DLs will be prioritising strategic leadership and integrating The Salvation Army in the division as well as gathering a DHQ team who build webs of relationships with local mission expressions. The DLs will bring together the different streams of Army ministry in the division.

WHAT ARE THE NEW ROLES?

‘Divisional officer’ is the generic term for officers who are part of a divisional team with responsibility for ‘support and oversight’ for local mission expressions. This could include responsibilities for an area of the division or for a specific function such as mission, personnel, safeguarding, ecumenical, children and youth, etc. This might be a full-time appointment, or part-time for a practitioner with credibility and experience in a specific ‘support and oversight’ process. Some divisions are opting for ‘divisional area officers’ who provide both personnel and mission support and oversight in a specific geographical area. Other divisions have decided to retain the functional approach with a ‘divisional mission officer’ or ‘divisional personnel officer’.

Corps whose officer(s) are also based at DHQ for more than one day a week will be proportionately reimbursed for the relevant total officers’ costs (including allowance, quarters, car, etc). This will help corps finances and may enable some ‘backfilling’ of the time the corps officer is spending on ‘support and oversight’ work for headquarters.

Updated contact details for your divisional team as it begins work in its new boundaries will be available on the divisional page on salvationarmy.org.uk. Until then, please continue to use the current contact details.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER ROLES?

Particular focus has been placed on the request for an increase in people involved in youth, children and family ministries, and for more support to help corps with administration. Increasing resources invested in both areas has been agreed in principle and there’s ongoing work to see how much is affordable. Decisions will be taken in the budget process for 2023/24 and we will provide an update as soon as we are able.

We’re committed to asking for and receiving feedback as we learn and make continuous improvements moving forwards. Please continue to share your feedback by emailing transformation@salvationarmy. org.uk and to pray for our divisions as they prepare for change. We ask that God transforms our hearts, minds and ministry.

LIEUT-COLONEL DEAN PALLANT

Secretary for Communications THQ