Section 4: Additional Safeguarding Learning Pathways

Parish Safeguarding Officer Induction

• 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.

• Persons taking on the role of Parish Safeguarding Officer

• Existing Parish Safeguarding Officers

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.

Permission to Officiate

• Connect the Church’s mission and theological foundations with what good leadership behaviour looks like in a safeguarding context.
• Evaluate aspects of their own practice and identify changes required which they then take forward with confidence.
• Analyse what healthy Christian communities look like, how healthy communities keep people safe, and their role as leaders in shaping Christian communities that are healthy and safe.
• Integrate their own faith, beliefs, and values with those underpinning good safeguarding behaviours.

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

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

Link Person

• 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.

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.

Support Person

• 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.

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.

Domestic Abuse[1]

Online Delivery of Raising Awareness

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

• 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

• 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

• All Church Officers
• PCC and Chapter members
• Members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel.

Online / Virtual Delivery

In-person Delivery

• In-person delivery using the material provided by the NST.

Safer Recruitment and People Management

Online Pathway

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

• 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.

• 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.

Online / Virtual Delivery

In-person Delivery

• In-person delivery by exception using the material provided by the NST.
• Optimum number of participants: 32.