Safeguarding Training

FOUNDATION TRAINING

A basic knowledge of safeguarding in the Methodist Church is essential for ensuring our Churches are a safe place for everyone. The Foundation training offers this basic knowledge and provides you with tools to help understand safeguarding needs and where to find support. This course should be completed every 3 years.

From the Sheffield District Website:-

'The Creating Safer Space Foundation Module will help you:

• appreciate how safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and fundamental to the culture of a flourishing Church
• have a better understanding of good safeguarding practice within the Methodist Church, and understand its unique position in creating a safe space for all
• promote awareness and extend an inclusive welcome to those who have experienced abuse
• recognise, respond, record and refer relevant concerns about the safety and welfare of a child or adult, and recognise blocks to good practice
• learn from evidence from the Methodist Past Cases Review (2015-17) and note the current national context, eg the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)

The training's overall aim is to increase safeguarding awareness, so the Church can exercise its duty of care to all: its members, office-holders and anyone who comes through its doors. We create a safer Church by developing your understanding of, and confidence in, our safeguarding processes and your individual place within these processes.'

FOUNDATION TRAINING DATES
Dates to be announced later in the year.

ADVANCED TRAINING

Safeguarding training is mandatory for those in the roles identified in the following link: https://www.sheffieldmethodist.org/lib/F770648.pdf.

This includes all ministers, local preachers & worship leaders, lay workers with children and vulnerable adults, District Policy Committee members and circuit safeguarding co-ordinators.

There are two options for this module: Face to face or on-line.
More details of each can be found below. It is organised by the District Safeguarding Officer. Any questions about this should be addressed in the first instance to Katrin, the District administrator – katrin@sheffieldmethodist.org

The Foundation Module must be completed before attending the Advanced Module.

Face to Face
These sessions last about 5 hours. Some preparation beforehand is required.
The Foundation Module must be completed before attending the Advanced Module for the first time.
Please note that registrations close 20 days before the event date to allow enough time to receive and complete the preparation material before attending the core session.
There needs to be a minimum of 15 people registered for the session to take place.

If you are unsure whether you are required to complete this course, please contact your church or Doncaster Methodist Circuit Safeguarding Team (details on the Safeguarding Info page).
The Foundation Module must be completed before attending the Advanced Module.

Online Training
The course is split into three parts:

Self-Study/e-learning – E-learning (units 1-5a) – approximately 4 to 7 hours which can be completed in smaller sections. Alongside the e-learning, participants complete a Workbook which they then take to the Gathered session.

Gathered Session – (Unit 5b) – a 2 hour facilitated session to consolidate learning from Advanced Module (online) e-learning held on Zoom.

Handbook- to support learning during Advanced Module and for further study and resources.
The Online Gathered sessions are being held jointly with other districts. This gives a larger group of dates you can choose from.

Booking for each date close 30 days beforehand to allow time to post out the materials required for the e-learning and to enrol you on the module. N.B. the e-learning MUST be completed before attending a Gathered Session.

The Zoom link to join the gathered session is emailed out about 2 days beforehand.

There needs to be a minimum of 8 people registered for the gathered session to take place.

Dates of the Advance Module Online Gathered sessions 2024/25
This training is shared between four Districts, but you can attend any session

Monday 16th September 7pm Newcastle/Darlington
Tuesday 22nd October 10am Yorkshire North and East
Thursday 24th October 7pm Yorkshire North and East
Tuesday 5th November 7pm Yorkshire North and East
Thursday 7 November 10am Yorkshire North and East
Tuesday 3rd December 10am Sheffield
Tuesday 3rd December 7pm Sheffield
Wednesday 22nd January 10am Sheffield
Saturday 25th January 10am Sheffield
Thursday 27th February 10am Sheffield
Thursday 27th February 7pm Sheffield
Saturday 1st March 10am Sheffield
Tuesday 4th March 10am Sheffield
Saturday 5th April 10am Newcastle/Darlington
Monday 12th May 10am Yorkshire North and East
Wednesday 14th May 7pm Yorkshire North and East
Monday 9th June 7pm Yorkshire North and East
Wednesday 11th June 10am Yorkshire North and East
Monday 7th July 7pm Newcastle/Darlington
Tuesday 12th August 7pm Newcastle/Darlington

Use this link to register for your preferred date and time: https://2025AdvancedOnline.eventbrite.co.uk

If you have any questions or are struggling with booking, please contact the District Administrator, Katrin Hackett, by emailing:admin@sheffieldmethodist.org or calling 0114 270 9990 / 07552 131455