Not sure which module is for you? 

Here’s a summary: A Step by Step Guide to Updating your Safeguarding Training

To complete this course online please follow this link.

This module is for all who take a position or role of church leadership or governance.

All Church Officers

Anyone going on to complete any other safeguarding learning pathway. To complete the course online please follow this link.

Anyone holding the Bishop’s licence, commission, authorisation, or permission (clergy, PtO, Readers, LLMs).

• Anyone in a role which involves work with children, young people, or vulnerable adults.

• Churchwardens, Bell Captains and Choir Leaders.

• Anyone going on to complete any other safeguarding learning pathway.

• Pre-ordination or license students, prior to BAP or selection Panel.

• Vergers.

• PCC and Church Council Members / Lay Chapter Members.

• Staff at Theological Education Institutions with student facing roles.

• Members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel

To complete this course online please follow this link.

This is designed for those people who play a lead role in shaping the culture of the Church body concerned. This will always include:

• All clergy holding the Bishop’s licence, commission, authorisation, or permission (including PtO where exemption has not been given) including Honorary/Assistant Bishops and Chaplains.

• All Readers and Licensed Lay Ministers holding the Bishop’s licence (under Canons E6 & E8), together with all others who hold the Bishop’s commission, authorisation, or permission to carry out similar ministerial functions (including PtO where exemption has not been given). (Ordinands need to have completed the Leadership Pathway before their diaconal ordination and lay ministers in training before they are licensed.)

• Non-executive members of Chapter (unless their role in the diocese requires a higher level).

• Safeguarding Officers / Leads in all Church bodies.

. Churchwardens, Bell Captains and Choir Leaders

• Teaching staff at Theological Education Institutions who are delivering the Leadership Pathway.

Find out more here.

It is recognised that those with Permission to Officiate (PtO) still need to participate in safeguarding learning. It is also recognised that the exercise of PtO and the level of ministry can vary considerably between different people. For some it will involve a high level of work regularly, for others a very low level of work irregularly. As the main Safeguarding Leadership Pathway is now targeted at those people “who play a lead role in shaping the culture of the Church body concerned” those with PtO whose role meets this criterion must participate in the main Safeguarding Leadership Pathway. Those with PtO whose role does not meet this criterion must participate in a bespoke PtO Safeguarding Learning Pathway.

The purpose of this session is to introduce people to the PSO role making sure that they have all the tools required to carry out the job successfully. The focus of the session is to equip participants with an understanding of the role of the Parish Safeguarding Officer and induct them into key working practices and relationships. Prior to attending the course, PSOs will need to complete the Basic and Foundation courses as detailed above. They will also need to complete the Leadership Pathway either before, or soon after, completing this training.

Resources

Safer Recruitment and People Management

The Safer Recruitment and People Management Toolkit provides the following template resources and examples, to assist with implementing the Safer Recruitment and People Management Process (2021):

• Volunteer role description
• Volunteer person specification
• Volunteer application form
• Example interview questions
• Reference request form
• DBS eligibility guidance
• Risk assessment form template
• Volunteer appointment letter template
• Induction checklist
• Volunteer support meeting template

Safer Recruitment and People Management FAQs

Confidential Declaration Form and Privacy Notice

Parish Volunteer Agreement Template (June 2022)

The Diocese of Oxford have also developed the Parish Toolkit which provides information to PCCs about employment and safeguarding issues and signposts useful resources. Topics include recruitment and selection, employing staff, working with volunteers and employment legislation.

Disclosure and Barring Service

APCS is the recommended DBS Umbrella Body for the Diocese of Canterbury.

To set up a parish account with APCS in order to apply for DBS checks, please return the completed declaration forms below to Linda Carpenter or call 01865 208 267.

• DBS declaration form
• DBS Administrator declaration form
• APCS user guide

APCS should be contacted for queries regarding DBS checks which are currently being processed.

criminalrecordchecks.co.uk

0845 643 1145

APCS have recently developed the online DBS Eligibility Tool below to support parishes in determining if a DBS check is required for a role and at which level.

onlinecrbcheck.co.uk/eligibility-tool

The Safeguarding e-Manual details the requirements and good practice for Disclosure and Barring Service checks within our Church Bodies.

Transgender applicants who may be concerned about disclosure of sensitive personal information can apply through the Government provided DBS sensitive applications line on 0151 676 1452 or email [email protected] for further advice about completing the form. APCS is working to this guidance.

Church of England Roles Eligible for a Criminal Record Check

Activities Eligible for an Enhanced DBS

Regulated Activity Flowchart

DBS filtering guide

Disclosure and Barring Service