1. Accessing online training modules

    Both Basic Awareness (formerly C0 or C Zero) and Foundation (formerly C1 or C One) Safer Recruitment and Safer People Management (formerly Safer Recruitment and Domestic Abuse are available online at safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org: go to 'Online Courses' on the top menu and then select 'Safeguarding: Basic Awareness (C0)' or 'Safeguarding: Foundations (C1)'.

    You will need to create a new free User Account (look for 'Create a new account' below the Church of England logo on the left of the screen) before continuing to the course.

    For more information on the Basic Awareness and Foundation Modules read the section above 'What are the modules and who needs to take them?'

    Safeguarding pathways such as these, which are often done by one person working on their own, can trigger painful memories. It is okay to pause the pathway until it feels comfortable to start again.

  2. What are the modules?

    Core Modules

    BASIC AWARENESS ONLINE PATHWAY

    Required Attendees: All Church Officers and anyone going on to complete any other safeguarding learning pathway.

    Recommended Attendees: Anyone wanting or needing a Basic Awareness of safeguarding.

    Learning Aim:

    To place safeguarding in the context of the Church and Christian Pastoral Care.

    Outcomes:

    By the end of the session, you should:

    • Connect the core principles and practices of safeguarding to the Christian faith;
    • Recognise issues of power and abuse as they present themselves in a range of contexts, including the Church;
    • Identify the barriers (emotional, psychological & theological) that can prevent the promotion of healthy Church communities;
    • Apply a clear process in the handling of concerns / safeguarding information whilst recognising the boundaries of their own role.

    This course is taken online at safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org go to 'Online Courses' on the top menu and then select 'Safeguarding Basic Awareness'. You may be asked to create a new free User Account before continuing to the course.

    FOUNDATION ONLINE PATHWAY

    The Online Basic Awareness module must be completed before the Foundation module.

    Required for anyone holding the Bishop's licence, commission, authorisation, or permission (clergy, PTO, Readers, LLMs). Anyone in a role which involves work with children, young people, or vulnerable adults. Churchwardens, anyone going on to complete any other safeguarding learning pathway. Pre-ordination or license students, prior to BAP or selection panel. Vergers, PCC Members / Lay Chapter Members. Staff at Theological Education Institutions with student facing roles. Members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel.

    Aims:

    To situate safeguarding in the context of the Church and equip participants with knowledge and skills in knowing what, when and how to report concerns.

    Outcomes:

    • Connect an understanding of good safeguarding practice to their own role and responsibilities;
    • Recognise commonalities and differences arising from the age or circumstances of those affected, and how this informs appropriate action;
    • Identify wider support, accountability, and governance arrangements relevant for safeguarding in their context;
    • Analyse and respond appropriately to variety of safeguarding scenarios whilst recognising the boundaries of their own role.

    LEADERSHIP

    This course has been replaced with a virtual learning pathway rather than a training session and due to the impact of Covid 19 is currently being delivered through 2 x 90 minute Zoom sessions.

    Basic Awareness and Foundation modules must have been completed before the Leadership module if this is more than 3 years ago, then it is recommended that these two pathways are redone, however, this is not mandatory.

    This is designed for those people who play a lead role in shaping the culture of the Church body concerned. This will include:

    Required for all clergy holding the Bishop's licence, commission, authorisation, or permission (including PTO where exemption has not been given) including Honorary/Assistant Bishops and Chaplains. All Readers and Licensed Lay Ministers holding the Bishop's licence (under Canons E6 & E8), together with all others who hold the Bishop's commission, authorisation, or permission to carry out similar ministerial functions (incl. PTO where exemption has not been given).

    (Ordinands need to have completed the Leadership Pathway before their diaconal ordination and lay ministers in training before they are licensed).

    Safeguarding Officers / Leads in all Church Bodies, Teaching staff at Theological Education Institutions who are delivering the Leadership Pathway. It should also include, for example, lay ministry staff employed by a PCC or BMO, locally appointed leaders of new worshipping communities, focal ministers and Churchwardens*. The requirements for attendance for people in local leadership roles will be determined by agreements between the Bishop/Dean and their respective safeguarding adviser. Where there is a determination that someone must undertake this pathway, that person then becomes a required attendee.

    At the point that in-person learning can resume, and the Senior Leadership Pathway is able to commence via in-person delivery, this pathway also becomes a required pre-requisite for those required to attend the Senior Leadership Pathway

    *Whilst in many contexts the level of influence of Churchwardens may well not reach the threshold, it should be noted that this can increase significantly during vacancies.

    The Learning Outcomes are as follows:

    • Connect the Church's mission and theological foundations with what good leadership behaviour looks like in safeguarding context;
    • Evaluate aspects of their own leadership 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;
    • Reflect on the impact that abuse and trauma have on individuals' lives, relationships, and interaction in a community setting;
    • Integrate their own faith, beliefs, and values with those underpinning good safeguarding behaviours.

    ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDING LEARNING PATHWAYS - PERMISSION TO OFFICIATE

    This course is for anyone holding PTO or who is a Reader Emeritus whose role does not meet the Leadership Pathway criterion. (Where individuals hold more than one role, or serve more than one Church body, they should train at the highest required level) Please note that due to the impact of Covid 19 this is currently being delivered on Zoom through a 3 hour session split into three 50 minute sections with breaks in between.

    Basic Awareness and Foundation modules must have been completed before attending this module if this is more than 3 years ago, then it is recommended that these two pathways are redone, however, this is not mandatory.

    The Learning Outcomes are as follows:

    • 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.

    PARISH SAFEGUARDING OFFICER INDUCTION

    This pathway is to equip learners with an understanding of the role of the Parish Safeguarding Officer and induct them into key working practices and relationships. This is a 3 hour session.

    Basic Awareness and Foundation modules must have been completed before attending this module if this is more than 3 years ago, then it is recommended that these two pathways are redone, however, this is not mandatory.

    Required Attendees: Persons taking on the role of Parish Safeguarding Officer

    Recommended Attendees: Existing Parish Safeguarding Officers

    The Learning Outcomes are as follows:

    • 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.

    ____________________________________________________________________________________

    Specialist Modules

    SAFER RECRUITMENT AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

    THIS IS NOW AN ONLINE COURSE

    Basic Awareness and Foundation modules must have been completed before attending this module if this is more than 3 years ago, then it is recommended that these two pathways are redone, however, this is not mandatory.

    Required attendees: Line 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 and Ordinands during IME 1.

    Aim: To equip participants with an understanding of safer recruitment and the skills and practices to promote positive safeguarding behaviours (and detect safeguarding risk) once a person is in role.

    The learning 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 risk.

    DOMESTIC ABUSE

    THIS IS NOW AN ONLINE COURSE EXPLORING THE NATURE AND DYNAMICS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, WITH A FOCUS ON CHURCH SETTINGS

    Basic Awareness and Foundation modules must have been completed before engaging with this module. if this is more than 3 years ago, then it is recommended that these two pathways are redone, however, this is not mandatory.

    If you are worried about any of the content of this pathway, then please contact Jenny Price, Safeguarding Trainer, or any member of the Safeguarding Team jenny.price@yorkdiocese.org or safeguarding@yorkdiocese.org

    Required attendees: For anyone holding the Bishop's License, commission, authorisation, or permission (clergy, PTO, Readers, LLMs), Bishops Visitors/Pastoral Visitors, Safeguarding Officers, Ordinands during IME1, PCC Members/Lay Chapter Members, Staff at Theological Educations Institutions with student facing roles and members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel.

    Recommended attendees: Persons holding any other pastoral role within the Church

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

    The Learning outcomes:

    • Identify the typologies of domestic abuse and survivor groups
    • Explore myths, barriers, stereotypes and impacts of domestic abuse particularly in a faith context.
    • Reflect on how your own beliefs and values and the stories and narratives that they bring impact on your responses to survivors or perpetrators.
    • Evaluate the needs of domestic abuse survivors to support them effectively, including referral pathways and the roles of supporting agencies.
    • Identify safeguarding actions to protect victims or those at risk whilst also understanding the limitations and boundaries of your role.
  3. Who needs to take which modules?

    In 2021 a new approach to safeguarding learning and training was introduced. This has been updated in 2023.

    An explanation of this and a summary who needs to take which of the modules can be found here.

  4. Information about training sessions

    Training sessions are overseen by our Safeguarding Trainer and Volunteer Coordinator

    Attendance at Diocesan training will be noted and certificates issued. All training is completely free of charge.

    Dates for the new Pathways see Safeguarding Training Dates. Please allow 1 week if not more between Sessions.

    Most of the training is offered via Zoom.

  5. How to book

    You can find a list of all the modules that we are currently offering here.

    If you would like to book a place on one of our training sessions, please email safeguardingtraining@yorkdiocese.org

    Please leave at least 1 week (if not more between Session 1 and Session 2)