Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSO)
We are acutely aware that the PSO post is a voluntary service, and we want to do all we can to enable you to make sure that good safeguarding is happening and to support you as you undertake this task.
This welcome pack seeks to offer an outline of what the safeguarding/PSO journey might look like, with accompanying information and resources. Information and welcome pack
The main areas of the PSO role involve helping parishes to understand the need for a positive safeguarding culture where training is undertaken, the parish dashboard is in use and safeguarding concerns are responded to.
Your role as a Parish Safeguarding Officer
The Parish Safeguarding Officer is the key link between the diocese and the parish/s, concerning safeguarding matters. You will have an overview of all church activities involving children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and will seek to ensure the implementation of safeguarding policy. The role can be taken by one person or shared, for example with one person covering children the other, for vulnerable adults.
What are the key tasks of the parish safeguarding officer?
- Have an overview of all church activities involving children and vulnerable adults and keep a record of these activities.
- Be familiar with diocesan safeguarding guidance and ensure that leaders of activities are fully aware of, and are implementing, this guidance.
- Liaise with the incumbent over safeguarding issues.
- Keep in touch with the leaders of all activities and offer them advice and support over safeguarding matters.
- Liaise as necessary with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers. Report all concerns or allegations against church officers to the DSA.
- Attend diocesan safeguarding training offered for PSOs.
- Assist with safeguarding training in the parish as appropriate.
- Attend a meeting of the church leadership (PCC) at least annually to ensure safeguarding issues are discussed and that the church leadership adopt the annual Church Safeguarding Policy.
- Ensure that the Church Safeguarding Policy and contact details is displayed in all church premises.
- Keep good records of any safeguarding concerns that may arise and ensure that others do the same.
- Promote inclusiveness in places of worship and within church activities.
- Keep the church leadership informed of good safeguarding practice.
- Undertake a regular parish safeguarding self-assessment in the format offered by the diocese
The Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSO) National Group have created a series of safeguarding articles on contemporary issues including articles covering children, women, and men, see PSO National Group | The Church of England
These articles may help to promote conversations about safeguarding and are a useful way to introduce new topics in PCC meetings.
Parish Safeguarding Officer Forums
Join us at our Parish Safeguarding Officer Forums which will give you a chance to meet with other PSO’s and members of the Safeguarding Team. It will be your opportunity to catch up on current guidance, share good practice, ask questions, network and in addition at each forum, we will focus on a specialist topic. PSO forums will be held once per quarter via Zoom.
A reminder for the session and details of how to book will be sent out by Kim Phillips nearer the time
PSO Forum Dates for 2025:
September 25th – 6:30pm – 8pm
November 20th – 6:30pm – 8pm