NEW: Safeguarding Training Strategy 2022-2025

SAFEGUARDING TRAINING 2022-2023

A healthy Christian community is one which ensures and nurtures the wellbeing of all, and the Diocese of Norwich continues to work toward ensuring a church which is safer for everyone. Safeguarding therefore, needs to be embedded in all aspects of the life and ministry of the Church in order to ensure that the culture of safeguarding is integral throughout all of our church communities.

Active engagement with safeguarding training is instrumental in shaping the culture, and in supporting all those who have a role within the Church to effectively recognise and respond to possible situations of abuse, as well as implement best safeguarding practice. The facilitation and delivery of safeguarding training and development within the Diocese of Norwich is seen in this context.

The Church of England’s Practice Guidance: Safeguarding Training & Development, was significantly revised and updated in April 2021, and provides the framework for safeguarding learning and development across all Church of England communities. This also sets out the core safeguarding learning pathway training modules which are a mandatory requirement determined for individual and particular church roles and responsibilities. (Please see below).

As we slowly emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, there have both nationally and locally had to be changes in the way that safeguarding training continues to be offered. As a result, training will continue to predominantly take place online. For example, C0 and C1 are now ‘Safeguarding Basic Awareness’ and ‘Safeguarding Foundations’ respectively.  There were also two further online modules introduced in the latter part of 2021, being ‘Safer Recruitment and People Management’ and ‘Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse’. All modules are accessed online via the Training Portal (see below for details).

The revised ‘Safeguarding Leadership Pathway,’ and the new ‘Permission to Officiate Pathway’ (for those whose work does not involve a high level of activity within the diocese), both continue to be undertaken via Zoom, with small groups led by the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. In January 2022, we facilitated the first ‘Parish Safeguarding Officer Induction’ sessions for those new to taking on the role of the Parish Safeguarding Officer, which we soon hope to be able to deliver in person at Diocesan House. Further dates and details on each of these modules may be found below.  New in 2023, and additional to the PSO Induction Training sessions, the Safeguarding Team will be facilitating quarterly PSO Networking & Briefing sessions (see below for details).

The Training Plan for 2023 is in place, and dates for all the modules which will be facilitated throughout the year will continue to be available on the website.

As your Diocesan Safeguarding Trainer, I would like to assure you that we as a team, remain very committed to supporting you in the provision of safeguarding training within the Diocese, such that we may together, ensure that the culture of safeguarding is embedded as everyone’s responsibility, and is integral throughout all of our church communities.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation, participation and understanding.

Ruth Walker, Diocesan Safeguarding Trainer

Safeguarding Basic Awareness Module

This is a basic safeguarding awareness module, and is a requirement for all Church Officers and anyone who will be going on to complete any other safeguarding learning pathway.  It is also available to anyone interested in safeguarding. To access this training, you will need to access the  Church of England’s Safeguarding Training Portal.  You will then be asked to register and set up an account before accessing the training – so please do follow the instructions on the Safeguarding Training Portal.

If you have any problems with accessing the Safeguarding Training Portal, please email ryrneavat@fnsrthneqvatgenvavat.pbsrcbegny.bet

Safeguarding Foundations Module

This is the foundation safeguarding module, which situates safeguarding in the context of the Church and equips participants with the basic knowledge and skills to effectively recognise and respond to possible abuse.

This course is required by anyone who holds a role of responsibility within the Church, has safeguarding responsibilities or has contact in their church role with children, young people and/or adults who may be vulnerable through their role within the Church. It is also a requirement for anyone who will be going on to complete Leadership Pathway, Permission to Officiate Pathway, and Parish Safeguarding Officer Induction.

It too, may be accessed online via Church of England’s Safeguarding Training Portal

Leadership Module

The Leadership safeguarding module explores and reflects upon the roles in implementing parish safeguarding procedures as well as responding to serious situations. This module is for Licensed Clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers, and the aim is to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to embed healthy parish safeguarding practices. Safeguarding Basic Awareness and Safeguarding Foundations modules must be completed by participants in advance of attending the first Leadership session.

The Leadership module is currently only available via online training hosted on Zoom.  It involves interactive participation in a course of two consecutive two-hour sessions, a week apart, with some preparation in advance as well as follow-up activities to support your learning.

This course is required by anyone who has leadership responsibilities within the church, a church officer, or is leading activities in their church role with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.  Priority will be given to licensed clergy and those who are required to do the training in order to be licensed.  However, those in other roles where the training is applicable to their role, should still apply to complete the training, and we will do our best to accommodate on the next available space.

Dates are listed below – you will need to attend both the sessions that you are booked on to receive your certificate.

Tuesday 28th March and Tuesday 4th April 2023  10am-12noon (fully booked)

Tuesday 2nd May and Tuesday 9th May 2023  6pm-8pm

Wednesday 10th May and Wednesday 17th May 2023  10am-12noon (fully booked)

Wednesday 24th May and Wednesday 31st May 2023  2pm-4pm

Tuesday 6th June and Tuesday 13th June 2023  10am-12noon

Thursday 8th June and Thursday 15th June 2023  2pm-4pm

Tuesday 20th June and Tuesday 27th June 2023  10am-12noon

Thursday 29th June and Thursday 6th July 2023  2pm-4pm

Thursday 20th July and Thursday 27th July 2023  10am-12noon

Please be aware when selecting a date, that two weeks prior to the training event you will be sent a workbook which will include some preparatory work.  It is a requirement of attendance that this is completed and returned no later than 4 days prior to the first session.   

Please book by email to Oeraan.jryyf@qvbprfrbsabejvpu.bet

‘Permission to Officiate’ Module (PTO Pathway)

It has been recognised that the exercise of Permission to Officiate (PtO) for both retired clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) or Readers, may vary considerably within the diocese. The Safeguarding Leadership Pathway is intended for those who are regularly involved in a high level of work and play a lead role within the Church body concerned. Therefore, those who fall into this category should undertake the full Safeguarding Leadership Pathway. However, all others of those with PtO (i.e. both Licensed Clergy with PtO and Licensed Lay Ministers  with PtO) whose role does not fit the Leadership Pathway  criterion, or do not undertake a high level of activity should undertake the Permission to Officiate’ Module.

The Permission to Officiate module will be available via online training hosted on Zoom (unless otherwise stated), and involves interactive participation in a single session. As with the Leadership Module there is some preparation required in advance as well as follow-up activities to support your learning.

As with the Leadership module (C2), Safeguarding Basic Awareness (C0) and Safeguarding Foundations (C1) modules must be completed by participants in advance of attending the training.

Wednesday 5th April 2023  10am-12.30pm (in person at Diocesan House, Easton)

Tuesday 18th April 2023  2pm-4.30pm (cancelled)

Tuesday 16th May 2023  2pm-4.30pm

Thursday 1st June 2023  2pm-4.30pm

Wednesday 5th July 2023  10am-12.30pm (in person at Diocesan House, Easton)

Wednesday 19th July 2023  10am-12.30pm

Please be aware when selecting a date, that three weeks prior to the training event you will be sent a workbook which will include some preparatory work.  Please can this be completed and returned no later than 4 days prior to the first session.   

Please book by email to Oeraan.jryyf@qvbprfrbsabejvpu.bet

Safer Recruitment & People Management Training

Safeguarding learning is mandatory for all posts that fall within the scope of the guidance on Safer Recruitment & People Management. The guidance may be viewed at :

churchofengland.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-e-manual/safer-recruitment-and-people-management-guidance

Learning requirements will vary according to the role and responsibility as set out in the Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework. However, all those involved in the recruitment, appointment and management/supervision of roles that fall within the scope of this guidance must undertake the training on Safer Recruitment and People Management. The aim of this training is to equip participants with an understanding of safer recruitment, as well as the skills and practices necessary to promote positive safeguarding behaviour, (and detect safeguarding risk) once a person is in role.

The online learning module for Safer Recruitment and People Management is now live on the safeguarding training portal.

To access the training, you will need to access the Church of England’s Safeguarding Training Portal and log in to your account  which you will have set up when completing your Basic and Foundation Training before accessing the training. It too, may be accessed online via safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org The link for the course is on the home page and can also be found under Online Courses.

If you have any problems with accessing the Safeguarding Training Portal, please email ryrneavat@fnsrthneqvatgenvavat.pbsrcbegny.bet  

A pre-requisite of undertaking this training module is completion of both the Safeguarding Basic Awareness (C0) and Safeguarding Foundations (C1) modules in advance of undertaking this online training.

Parish Safeguarding Officer Induction

Parish Safeguarding Officer Induction sessions for those new to taking on the role of the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) will be facilitated in 2022. The focus of the induction is an introduction to the role of the PSO, equip participants with an understanding of their role, and induct them in key working practices and relationships.

The Parish Safeguarding Officer Induction will involve interactive participation in a three-hour inclusive session. Pre-reading material will be sent two weeks prior to the session, and there will be an evaluation task to complete, using materials shared within the induction session.  We plan to deliver this training in person, and it will be held at Diocesan House, Easton.  Everyone who attends this course must have completed the Safeguarding Basic Awareness and Safeguarding Foundations modules in advance of attending the training.

Wednesday 12th April 2023  10am-1pm (cancelled)

Wednesday 3rd May 2023  10am-1pm

Wednesday 14th June 2023  10am-1pm

Saturday 22nd July 2023  10am-1pm

Please book by email to Oeraan.jryyf@qvbprfrbsabejvpu.bet

PSO Networking & Briefing Session

New in 2023, and additional to the PSO Induction Training sessions, the Safeguarding Team will be facilitating quarterly PSO Networking & Briefing sessions, on a Saturday morning, 10am – 1pm at Diocesan House, Easton. The intention is to offer all PSOs the valuable opportunity to meet with other PSOs, as well as be able to communicate any Safeguarding updates, current issues or ‘topics of the moment’. Indeed, as a Team, we would welcome in advance, topics or queries from individuals they may wish to raise, and you can do this by e mailing fnsrthneqvat@qvbprfrbsabejvpu.bet

The Safeguarding Team will all be present, thereby offering the opportunity for individuals to meet with the team as well as bring their queries to the session. However, importantly, this is intended to be a forum where we envisage valuable networking will take place, thereby offering collaborative support to all those who have taken on the role as Parish Safeguarding Officer.

Saturday 10th June 2023  10am-1pm

Saturday 5th August 2023  10am-1pm

Saturday 4th November 2023  10am-1pm

To book a place, please e mail oeraan.jryyf@qvbprfrbsabejvpu.bet

Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse module 

The online learning module for Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse is now live on the safeguarding training portal. This module explores the typologies of domestic abuse and equips participants to engage thoughtfully and proactively with the issue of domestic abuse, as well as those affected by domestic abuse. It also looks at identifying safeguarding actions to protect victims or those at risk and effectively recognise and respond to possible domestic abuse.

This course is required by anyone who holds a role of responsibility within the Church. This will include all Clergy, those with Permission to Officiate, Licensed lay Ministers, Parish Safeguarding Officers, and any individual who has safeguarding responsibilities or has contact in their church role with children, young people and/or adults who may be vulnerable.

To access the training, you will need to access the Church of England’s Safeguarding Training Portal and log in to your account which you will have set up when completing your Basic and Foundation Training before accessing the training. It too, may be accessed online via safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org The link for the course is on the home page and can also be found under Online Courses.

If you have any problems with accessing the Safeguarding Training Portal, please email ryrneavat@fnsrthneqvatgenvavat.pbsrcbegny.bet 

A pre-requisite of undertaking this training module is completion of both the Safeguarding Basic Awareness (C0) and Safeguarding Foundations (C1) modules in advance of undertaking this online training.