While the Church of England nationally, (via the House of Bishops) can stipulate what safeguarding learning and training is required for licensed ministers, it can only advise on what is appropriate for other students. Resources can be made available to facilitate this learning.
The Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework states that Ordinands and other licensed ministry trainees are expected to have successfully completed the following pathways before selection for training:
- Basic Awareness;
- Foundation.
During training and prior to ordination or licensing, all Ordinands and licensed ministry trainees must successfully complete:
- Leadership pathway;
- Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse.
In addition, ordinands must successfully complete
- Safer Recruitment and People Management.
All of these modules (except Safeguarding Leadership) are available online via the safeguarding portal.
For ordinands, all these courses must be completed by 30th April in their final year to ensure the final reports to their bishops include full records of successfully completing all required safeguarding courses.
Best practice is to ensure that safeguarding training is integrated appropriately into the overall curriculum. For example, if students are taking a module that covers leadership and people management then this should be linked to Safer Recruitment and People Management.
It is recommended that a similar approach should be taken for all students who are engaged in placements: Ordinands, those training for other Licensed Ministries and independent students. There is significant advantage if some safeguarding training is done each year and so the following approach might be appropriate
Some TEIs have presented a good case for doing Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse in their first year. Note that it is good practice also to include reference to safeguarding issues in academic modules where it is appropriate to the subject matter.