Safeguarding Learning and Development (Training)

Welcome to the Diocese of Lichfield pages on safeguarding learning and development. Here you will find all you need in respect of safeguarding training and developments locally and nationally. 

Safeguarding is at the centre of our faith, in our practice, in our worship, in our praying, and in our believing. The safeguarding learning pathways support participants in developing and maintaining the necessary values, beliefs, knowledge and skills to safeguard and protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Below we outline the pathways, who they are for and how to join. Should you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact Sarah Fullard, Safeguarding Training Officer via email.

National Safeguarding Learning and Development Pathways

The Church of England requires everyone who has a role as volunteer, employee or officer to attend safeguarding training every three years. Participants are strongly advised to keep their certificate as a record and proof of completion. It is the responsibility of individuals to ensure their training is up to date and for those licenced to minister this licence is dependent upon you holding valid and in date safeguarding training.

The table below out lines what training is required for specific roles, it is not exhaustive. We recognise there are many roles within the church. If you are unsure of what training to complete for your role, please speak to your Parish Safeguarding Officer or get in touch with Sarah Fullard

X= Required, R= Recommended. (Use your mouse/finger to scroll across the table to see requirements for other roles)

1. This course is for all readers and clergy with PtO (Permission to Officate) unless specifically directed to complete the Leadership course
2. This includes Bell ringers who are involved in teaching.
3. Church officers are people who have a role within the church. Church officers who meet the public in their role may include vergers, welcomers, caretakers, refreshment teams,
4. This is also for anyone involved in the recruitment of Church Officers (employees, elected members, and volunteers) and those with responsibility for administering DBS.

For full details and information about who should do which course please see the Diocese of Lichfield Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework 2021-2024.

The following modules are all available online through the National Safeguarding Team and can be accessed here: Home | Safeguarding: Training Portal (cofeportal.org)

• Basic Awareness
• Foundation
• Domestic Abuse
• Safer Recruitment and People Management
• Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

Instructions on how to register and access the online learning can be found here: Learning and Development | The Church of England

Leadership Training

Leadership training is delivered online via zoom over two 90minute sessions. You must attend both sessions and complete the evaluation exercise to receive a certificate for this course. The diocese will endeavour to invite clergy, LLMs and PSO’s who need to complete/renew their training by email. For other parish roles who require leadership training please do contact us to add your name to our lists. Should you believe your Leadership training is out of date please don’t hesitate to contact us and we shall book you on a course. Dates for upcoming courses can be found below.

Permission To Officiate (PTO)

From September 2023, all ordained clergy with PTO, Readers with PTO, LLMs with PTO are trained using the safeguarding PTO Pathway materials. The PTO course will be delivered online via zoom over 2 x 90-minute sessions and invitations will be sent via email. You must attend both sessions and complete the evaluation exercise to receive a certificate for this course. Dates for upcoming courses can be found below.

Parish Safeguarding Officer Induction

The PSO induction is run in one 3-hour session via zoom and aims to equip learners with an understanding of their role and induct them into key working practices and relationships. It is primarily for newly appointed PSO’s but we welcome expressions of interest from those who have been in post some time and wish to attend as a refresher. Any upcoming dates for this course are below or if there are no available dates please do get in touch as we run this course when there is a need to do so.

Zoom

If you have any additional needs which mean that accessing training via zoom or online is not possible, please contact us directly so we can discuss your needs further. We hold a limited number of in person training events for Leadership and PTO each year and can provide support and materials to parishes where basic and foundation training is required face to face.

Upcoming Training Dates

We send invites for Leadership and PTO cohorts about 6 weeks in advance of training – dates shown above are where there is additional availability.

Sarah Fullard, Safeguarding Training Officer