Section 4: Additional Safeguarding Learning Pathways

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Last updated: 12 October 2024
Version: 1
CPD Certified

 

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and is the term used to describe the learning activities professionals engage in to develop and enhance their abilities. It enables learning to become conscious and proactive, rather than passive and reactive.

The Permission to Officiate and Link Person Pathways have all been certified by the The CPD Certification Service.

4.1 Role Specific Pathways

Parish Safeguarding Officer Induction

AimTo equip learners with an understanding of the role of the Parish Safeguarding Officer and induct them into key working practices and relationships.
Pre-RequisitesBasic Awareness and Foundation
DeliveryLocal delivery using a virtual platform or in-person learning sessions.
Outcomes
  • Understand the role, responsibilities and working relationships of the PSO, including the Local Authority.
  • Identify a variety of approaches to raising awareness and improving safeguarding practice.
  • Evaluate safeguarding information reported by members of the church or community and determining an appropriate response.
  • Create a development plan for local ministry to support development of safeguarding practice in their context.
Required Attendees
  • Persons taking on the role of Parish Safeguarding Officer
Recommended Attendees
  • Existing Parish Safeguarding Officers
Fidelity to the Pathway

Online / Virtual Delivery

In-person Delivery

This is an induction session. It introduces participants to the role and the safeguarding team, rather than being a learning pathway. Everyone who attends this course must have completed the Basic and Foundation Pathways.

  • One three-hour session.
  • Pre-reading materials sent two weeks prior to the session.
  • Optimum number of participants: 16.

  • Post course evaluation – four weeks after the session, completed as set out in the induction materials.

This is an induction session. It introduces participants to the role and the safeguarding team, rather than a learning pathway. Everyone who attends this course must have completed the Basic and Foundation Pathways.

  • One three-hour session.
  • Pre-reading materials sent two weeks prior to the session.
  • Optimum number of participants: 32.

  • Post course evaluation – four weeks after the session, completed as set out in the induction materials.
EvaluationLevel 3 - Immediate feedback captured at the end of the learning pathway, reflective and practical evaluation tasks.

Permission to Officiate

AimTo explore and reflect on the safeguarding dimensions involved in the ministry of these roles.
Pre-RequisitesBasic Awareness and Foundation
DeliveryLocal delivery using a virtual platform or in-person learning sessions.
Outcomes
Required Attendees

Anyone holding PtO whose role does not meet the Leadership Pathway criterion[1].

Where individuals hold more than one role, or serve more than one Church body, they should train at the highest required level

Recommended AttendeesNot Applicable
Fidelity to the Pathway

Online / Virtual Delivery

In-person Delivery

  • One three-hour session split into three 50-minute sections with breaks in between.
  • Optimum number of participants: 16.

  • Pre-reading materials sent two weeks prior to the session.
  • Session split into three sections

  • Post course evaluation – four weeks after session is completed

  • One three-hour session split into three 50-minute sections with breaks in between.
  • Optimum number of participants: 32

  • Pre-reading materials sent two weeks prior to the session.
  • Session split into three sections

  • Post course evaluation – four weeks after session is completed

EvaluationLevel 3 - Immediate feedback captured at the end of the learning pathway, reflective evaluation tasks.


 

Link Person

AimTo equip learners with an understanding of the role of the Link Person and induct them into key working practices and relationships.
Pre-RequisitesBasic Awareness and Foundation
DeliveryNational delivery via Zoom
Outcomes
  • Understand the role, responsibilities, and key working relationships of the Link Person.
  • Explore the case/allegations management process, including partnership working with the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.
  • Identify good practice in working with and effectively supporting respondents throughout the allegation management process.
  • Reflect on the importance of self-care, supervision and pastoral support whilst performing the role of Link Person.
Required AttendeesAnyone undertaking the role of Link Person.
Fidelity to the Pathway

Online / Virtual Delivery

In-person Delivery

Virtual Delivery:

  • Two 2-hour sessions delivered via Zoom; each session is one week apart.

  • Ratio of 1:8 maintained.

  • Pre-work for Session One completed and submitted before Session One.

  • Session One – interactive session.

  • Pre-work for Session Two.

  • Session 2 – interactive session.

  • Post course evaluation – three months after Session Two is completed as set out in the pathway, including 360 feedback and a reflective exercise.

Not Applicable.
EvaluationLevel 3 - Immediate feedback captured at the end of the learning pathway, reflective evaluation tasks and 360-degree feedback.
     


 


 

Support Person

AimTo equip learners with an understanding of the role of the Support Person and induct them into key working practices and relationships.
Pre-RequisitesBasic Awareness and Foundation
DeliveryNational delivery via Zoom
Outcomes
  • Understand the role, responsibilities, and key working relationships of the Support Person.
  • Explore the skills and knowledge needed to undertake effective pastoral care, including a particular focus on trauma informed approaches.
  • Identify appropriate ways to support survivors, both during and after a disclosure has been made, and throughout the allegation management process.
  • Reflect on the importance of self-care, supervision and pastoral support whilst performing the role of Support Person.
Required AttendeesPersons taking on the role of Support Person
Fidelity to the Pathway

Online / Virtual Delivery

In-person Delivery

Virtual Delivery:

  • Three 2-hour sessions delivered via Zoom; each session is one week apart.

  • Two facilitators – one to be a person with lived experience.

  • Maximum number of participants: 8[2].

  • Pre-work for Session One

  • Session One – facilitated discussion focused on the survivor’s perspective.

  • Pre-work for Session Two

  • Session Two – interactive session focused on the survivor’s journey from disclosure to closure.

  • Pre-work for Session Three

  • Session 3 – interactive session which consolidates the learning and focuses on the Support Person role.

  • Post course evaluation – three months after Session Three is completed as set out in the pathway, including 360 feedback and a reflective exercise.

Not Applicable
EvaluationLevel 3 - Immediate feedback captured at the end of the learning pathway, reflective evaluation tasks and 360-degree feedback.


 


[1] It is recognised that the exercise of PtO (for both retired clergy and readers) can vary considerably. 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 decision about which Pathway someone with PtO should take must be made by the Bishop or Dean in consultation with the DSA / CSA and/or safeguarding trainer. The local supervisor (incumbent or rural dean) may also be well placed to assist in identifying the level of involvement of an individual and therefore in which pathway would be most appropriate. For those newly retired, the Pathway individuals take should be decided at the point they start their new role. For existing PtOs a formal decision based on consideration of a person’s role against the above criterion would need to be made within the diocese.

[2] The optimum number of participants for this Pathway is reduced. This is because of the experience of the pathway being significantly enhanced by a smaller group size with additional space to reflect, discuss and explore ideas.

Local delivery of this pathway would be considered if diocese were able to provide assurance that they would co-facilitate alongside a person of lived experience. This would need to be shown through assurance that they had built a relationship of trust between co-trainers, that survivor co-trainers were genuine partners in the co-delivery, not just allocated specific input/slots, and there would need to be careful consideration of the skills and knowledge survivors need to be recruited as co-trainers. Survivor co-facilitators should be enabled to attend a nationally delivered Support Person course as a participant-observer before co-delivering and clear routes for post-session debrief and support, (e.g. offer to pay for extra therapy if needed) should be provided.

4.2 Issue Based Pathways

Domestic Abuse[1]

Aim

To equip participants to engage thoughtfully and proactively with the issue of domestic abuse and those affected.

Pre-RequisitesBasic Awareness
Delivery

Online Delivery of Raising Awareness

(Replica of online material available for in-person delivery in exceptional circumstances)

Outcomes
  • Recognise the signs, types, myths, and stereotypes of domestic abuse
  • Understand how to respond well through keeping people safe and sign posting to specialist support
  • Identify safeguarding actions to protect victims or those at risk whilst also understanding the limitations and boundaries of your role.
  • Understand that scripture doesn’t permit domestic abuse and be aware of how theology can be used to exert control
  • Understand the impact on children living in a household experiencing domestic abuse
  • Be aware of the characteristics of a healthy relationship
Required Attendees
  • Anyone holding the bishop’s licence, commission, authorisation, or permission (including clergy, PtO, Readers, LLMs) or serving as an officer of the bishop
  • Anyone (volunteers and employees) working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults, including Bishops Visitors and Pastoral Visitors
  • Safeguarding Officers / Safeguarding Leads including Designated Safeguarding Person in a Religious Community
  • Pre-ordination or licence students, prior to BAP or selection Panel
Recommended Attendees
  • All Church Officers
  • PCC and Chapter members
  • Members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel.
Fidelity to the Pathway

Online / Virtual Delivery

In-person Delivery

Raising Awareness - Completed online.
  • In-person delivery using the material provided by the NST.
EvaluationLevel 2 - Immediate feedback captured at the end of the learning pathway and reflective evaluation tasks.


 


[1] This course is intended to build upon the basic awareness course by raising awareness specifically of domestic abuse. Recommendation 26 from the National Report into Past Cases Review 2 states “All church bodies to raise awareness of domestic abuse, including the understanding of the harmful impact of domestic abuse on children.” 

4.3 Toolkits

Safer Recruitment and People Management

AimTo equip participants with an understanding of safer recruitment, including why it is important and when it should be used, and the skills and practices necessary to promote positive safeguarding behaviour (and detect safeguarding risk) once a person is in role.
Pre-RequisitesBasic Awareness and Foundation
Delivery

Online Pathway

(Replica of online material available for in-person delivery in exceptional circumstances)

Outcomes
  • Reflect theologically on personnel recruitment and safer people management.
  • Understand the recruitment and people management process, its intersection with relevant legislation, and how each stage contributes to safer people management.
  • Explore good people management practice to be implemented once a person is in post / role.
  • Create a contextually relevant personal management plan that reduces risks.
Required Attendees
  • Recruiting managers and anyone involved in the recruitment of Church Officers (employees, elected members, and volunteers).

  • Those with responsibility for administering DBS.

  • Safeguarding Officers in all Church bodies, including Designated Safeguarding Person in a Religious Community.

  • Ordinands during IME 1.

Recommended AttendeesNot Applicable
Fidelity to the Pathway

Online / Virtual Delivery

In-person Delivery

Completed online.
  • In-person delivery by exception using the material provided by the NST.
  • Optimum number of participants: 32.
EvaluationLevel 2 - Immediate feedback captured at the end of the learning pathway and reflective evaluation tasks.