Information to follow

Abigail Savage works as a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Adviser for the North Yorkshire Council and is the Children and Schools Creative Coordinator for St. Stephen’s Church in Acomb. Previously she was a Deputy Head, Safeguarding Lead and Creative Arts + English Advisor for York Council. She is passionate about engaging children and youth in creative, diverse ways, establishing spaces and projects for them to feel safe to explore and develop their faith.  

“Children encounter God in many different ways. When we create safe, imaginative spaces where they can move, create, perform, question, and wonder, we invite them not only to learn about faith but to experience it for themselves.” 

Theme: 

Creating safe, creative spaces where children and young people can explore and develop their faith. 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of the session participants will: 

-Understand the importance of knowing the culture children and young people are growing up in today. 

– Recognise how creativity can help children engage with faith and feel safe and secure in being themselves 

– Explore practical ideas using dance, drama, music and art. 

– Leave with ideas for creating safe, welcoming environments in their own settings. 

PCC meetings are a valuable opportunity to identify and discuss ways of creating safer churches. Whilst the Leadership pathway focuses on the 6 aspects of the cube, this session invites participants to share ideas which they have used and are working well.

Jenny is responsible for safeguarding training and learning across the Diocese of York. She has experience of safeguarding practice both as a diocesan safeguarding adviser in the northern province and also as an education officer where she was safeguarding lead for schools

Matthew Coady is the Disclosure Helpline Manager at Thirtyone:eight and the Account Manager for the Diocese of York. Matthew has been with Thirtyone:eight, and involved in the world of DBS checking, for well over a decade. He has a strong understanding of Anglican church life, having been a longstanding Sunday school volunteer. In this capacity, he has been DBS checked and has completed Church of England safeguarding training. 

Matthew will be supported by another member of the Disclosure Team, who will be able to introduce themselves and share a little about their background on the day. 

A session focusing on DBS Eligibility 

This session will provide an overview of Safeguarding Hubs, exploring their purpose, how they can support safeguarding practice, and the ways in which they can be used to access guidance, resources and support. Participants will be guided through the key features of the platform with a live demonstration, helping them to navigate the site confidently and make the most of the tools available. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and discuss how Safeguarding Hubs can support safeguarding work in a range of settings.

For further information, visit: www.safeguardinghubs.org.uk

Safeguarding Hubs were developed by Clearly Simpler Limited – we named the company after our core values of clarity and simplicity.

Our main business is software development, but we also undertake consultancy work.

Our clients include:

• The Church of England
• Christ Church Canterbury University
• The Education People

The two Mikes will be looking at ways in which the PCC has a key role alongside both clergy and congregation in helping to shape the safeguarding culture within their parishes, and how that leadership and ministry can be put into practice. 

Mike Thunder is a former Deputy Head of a Secondary School, and has served as PSO in his parish for 5 years. He is an active member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Operations Group. 

Mike Tyler has served variously as PCC member, Church Warden, Children’s worker and PSO for over 30 years. He is widely known as a member of the Diocesan Safeguarding team.  

What is UK GDPR?

What does it mean for PSOs?

What does good record management look like?

Kirsty is the Head of HR and Governance for the Diocese of York. Part of her role involves data management and keeping information safe.

Kirsty is also PSO for the Belfrey Church in York so has to put her own recommendations into practice. This is sometimes easier said than done!

Creating safe spaces: what does being trauma-informed mean and how do we apply this to holding open a space in parish and other local contexts to enable people to share vulnerability on behalf of themselves and others?

Mona-Karina Theodosius is the Diocesan Adviser in Pastoral Care. She is also a UKCP-registered Systemic and Family Psychotherapist, supervisor, spiritual accompanier, qualified teacher, and interpersonal mediator.

Jenny and Bishop Barry talk informally about his role as a Bishop in supporting diocesan safeguarding generally and the diocesan safeguarding team in particular.