Weekly Newsletter

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7 March 2025

Dear Parish Safeguarding Officers, DBS Administrators, Incumbents and Parish Officers,

Welcome to the March 2025 safeguarding update from the Safeguarding Team, Diocese of Winchester.

In this update:

National Policy and Development Working Groups – Volunteers sought
Updates from the National Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) Group
Local Resources – Updated Templates
Safeguarding Training – New Training Dates added
Safeguarding Partnerships and Boards Free Training
Free Digital Skills Courses
Parish Safeguarding Dashboards
DBS Updates
National Updates
Safe Spaces
Safeguarding Contacts

National Policy and Development Working Groups – PSO’s Sought

Would you like to support the National Safeguarding Team, in developing guidance and safeguarding best practice? The National Safeguarding Team are looking for Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSO’s) to participate in Working Groups to carry out revision of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook. Each Working Group will have a National Safeguarding Team Lead and will include representatives from parishes, dioceses and the national church.

To volunteer - please email michelle.pride@winchester.anglican.org.

Updates from the National PSO Group

During 2024, the National PSO Group developed a range of materials to support PSO’s in their role. The National PSO Group comprises of Parish Safeguarding Officers; Diocesan Safeguarding Professionals; Parish Clergy; and Lay Volunteers.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Parish Safeguarding Information and Welcome Pack. The pack contains information and resources for PSO’s, Incumbents and PCC’s and will provide the wider church community with information and insight about the role of a Parish Safeguarding Officer. Please click on the link above to view the Information Pack.

The National PSO Group have also developed a series of short additional learning modules on various safeguarding subjects, designed to support PSO’s in undertaking their role.

We are looking for 5 Parish Safeguarding Officers from the Diocese of Winchester who would be willing to join a national cohort of PSO’s, piloting these additional learning modules. There are 12 short learning modules, in a mixture of different mediums, including videos, reading and guided learning scenarios. You will be asked to sample the learning modules and feed back on how helpful and appropriate they were, for your learning and role as a PSO.

This is a great opportunity to contribute to the development of voluntary learning opportunities to support PSO’s in their valuable work. To get involved – please email michelle.pride@winchester.anglican.org.

Local Resources - Updated Templates

National and Local Safeguarding Resources and Templates are available on the Diocesan website – Safeguarding Resources page. The following three local templates have recently been updated:

Safeguarding training matrix – dated 21/02/2025
Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement – version 2.2
List of helplines, support and resources – version 1.4

A reminder that the template Safeguarding Provision to attach to Hire of Church Premises Agreements was updated in 2020, following advice from our legal team. The updated version, V2.1, is available on our website – safeguarding resources page and via the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard. Please note that this version differs from the Church of England template, which is contained in Appendix 6 of the Key Roles and Responsibilities Guidance. Please download the Winchester Diocese version from our website for your use.

Safeguarding Training

Forthcoming dates for the Leadership Pathway and Local Leadership courses are below; these dates are also published on the Diocese website safeguarding training page under the relevant course information. These courses are delivered via Zoom and can be booked by emailing safeguardingtraining@winchester.anglican.org.

Leadership Pathway - for Clergy, Licenced Lay Ministers (two sessions – both must be attended)

Thursday 1st May & Thursday 8th May – both at 10:00-11:30.

Closing date for booking – 6th April

Monday 12th May & Monday 19th May – both at 10:00-11:30.

Closing date for booking – 13th April

Tuesday 27th May & Tuesday 3rd June – both at 14:00-15:30.

Closing date for booking – 5th May

Thursday 12th June & Thursday 19th June – both at 14:00-15:30.

Closing date for booking – 10th May

Saturday 14th June & Saturday 21st June – both at 10:00-11:30.

Closing date for booking – 12th May

Monday 23rd June & Monday 30th June – both at 14:00-15:30.

Closing date for booking – 26th May

Friday 4th July & Friday 11th July – both at 11:00-11:30.

Closing date for booking – 9th June

Thursday 17th July & Thursday 24th July – both at 10:00-11:30.

Closing date for booking – 16th June

Local Leadership Course - for lay leaders/activity leaders

Tuesday 6th May; Saturday 24th May; Thursday 5th June; Friday 27th June; Tuesday 8th July; Saturday 26th July; or Thursday 31st July – all at 10:00-13:00.

Basic, Foundation, Domestic Abuse Awareness and Safer Recruitment & People Management training can be accessed online, via the Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal. Please note, the Diocese-delivered Leadership courses will not be listed in the Church of England Training Portal. Please can you remind staff and volunteers to use their full name and the name of your parish, when registering for this online training, as this greatly assists with record keeping.

Domestic Abuse Awareness training delivered by our Safeguarding Trainer, via Zoom, is available for those who require/seek a more in depth course – eg Clergy and Parish Safeguarding Officers. Training dates for these are below. To book a place, please email safeguardingtraining@winchester.anglican.org.

Safeguarding Partnerships and Boards Free Training

Free multi-agency safeguarding training for professionals working with children and families, is offered by Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP). For further details, please see the HSCP website.

Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board also offer free lunchtime courses to their safeguarding partners, including the Diocese of Winchester. Details of courses and how to book a place can be found on the HSAB website.

Free Digital Skills Courses

Winchester City Council, via WorkAdviser, offer free digital skills training, via one-to-one sessions (at a location of your choice) or via a group workshop in your area. To find out more, call 02381 550223 or email info@workadvisor.co.uk These are available to anyone living in the Winchester City council district.

Solent Mind offers a free 6 week digital skills course, open to anyone in Southampton and Southern Hampshire – for further information, contact Simon on 07966474188 or email Digitalskills@solentmind.org.uk.

Bournemouth Churches Housing Associate (BCHA) offers rolling, 5-week digital skills courses across community hubs and libraries in Bournemouth. For further information, please call 07929 709903, email bournemouthdigital@bcha.org.uk.

Parish Safeguarding Dashboards

Thank you for continuing to update your Parish Safeguarding Dashboards. 98% of parishes have registered for the Dashboard, which is fantastic – thank you. The Dashboards are a really useful tool to help parishes manage their safeguarding arrangements and compliance.

The National PSO Group have created a video aimed at supporting PSO’s in understanding the features and benefits of the Safeguarding Dashboard, which really helps make the PSO role more manageable.

If you would like some support with your Parish Safeguarding Dashboard – please contact michelle.pride@winchester.anglican.org. Michelle offers one-to-one support for Parish Safeguarding Officers and Incumbents, on the Dashboard, parish safeguarding arrangements and the PSO role, either via Zoom or at Old Alresford Place. To book a place, please email michelle.pride@winchester.anglican.org.

DBS Updates

Due to some DBS checks taking longer to come back – please can you start your DBS renewals, five months before the individual’s DBS renewal is required (every 3 years).

For individuals who have subscribed to the DBS Update Service, a renewal DBS status check is still required every 3 years. Please contact Siona.Jeffery@winchester.anglican.org for more information on DBS checks and the Update Service.

National Updates

Read safeguarding news and updates from the National Safeguarding Team below.

Synod approves safeguarding codes of practice.
Synod votes on next steps for independent safeguarding.
The INEQE Safeguarding Group has published its first annual report into the independent safeguarding audits within Church of England Dioceses and Cathedrals.

Safe Spaces

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales. You do not need to be a current, active member of the Church in order to access support. Telephone the national helpline on 0300 303 1056. You can also email safespaces@firstlight.org.uk, or use the webchat service available on the Safe Spaces website.

Safeguarding Contacts

To register a safeguarding concern with the safeguarding team, Diocese of Winchester, or for safeguarding advice, please email: safeguarding@winchester.anglican.org or telephone: 01962 737317 / mobile: 07921 865374.

Safeguarding advice outside of normal working hours can be obtained via the numbers below:

Hampshire (Children and Adults) - 0300 555 1373

Southampton (Children and Adults) - 02380 233344

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (Children) - 01202 738256

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (Adults) - 0300 123 9895

Dorset (Children) - 01305 221000

Dorset (Adults) - 01305 221016

In a safeguarding emergency, ring 999.

We want our dedicated and committed Parish Safeguarding Officers, DBS Administrators, Incumbents and Parish Colleagues to continue to feel confident and fully supported.

Your Diocesan Safeguarding Team are always here to support you and we are always keen to hear your concerns, views and suggestions.