Safeguarding Training

Completion of safeguarding training is an expectation, and for many it is a mandatory requirement for their role. To maintain currency, safeguarding training should be updated at least once every three years at the highest level of attainment required for your role.

Changes to the National Safeguarding Training programme:

The Church has an ambition to ensure safeguarding flows from within the soul of the church and is at the centre of our faith, in our practice, in our worship, in our praying, and in our believing. The current Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework is now being implemented within the Diocese of Exeter with the new courses incorporating theological principles and being characterised by a more reflective learning style.

There will be six safeguarding courses available:

• Basic Awareness
• Foundation
• Domestic Abuse
• PTO Safeguarding
• Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR) Induction
• Safeguarding Leadership Pathway

Please scroll down for further information about each course.

Which safeguarding course/s do I need to undertake?

Please click the following link for guidance on which level of training is required for your role: Which safeguarding modules do I require for my role and function – March 2023

For a full list of available dates on all courses please see Safeguarding Courses – January – July 2023

Which safeguarding course/s do I need to take when refreshing my training every three years?

Safeguarding training needs to be refreshed once every three years at the highest level of attainment required for your role.

About Basic Awareness and Foundation Modules:

The Basic Awareness and Foundation safeguarding modules are currently provided online and can be worked through by yourself in the comfort of your home or office workspace. All Parish volunteers are required to undertake the Basic Awareness module and many are also required to undertake the Foundation module.

To undertake the Basic Awareness or Foundation modules please log into the National Safeguarding Training Portal. If you do not already have an account with the National Safeguarding Training Portal please use our Online Safeguarding Training Guide to set one up. Once completed, please save and/or print a copy of your training certificate for your records and notify your Parish Safeguarding Rep so they can keep a record of your training achievements.

If you experience problems logging into the online training portal for your Basic Awareness and Foundation safeguarding training please send an email to the National Safeguarding Team Training Helpdesk. 

About Domestic Abuse Training:

The aim of this training is to equip participants to engage thoughtfully and proactively with the issue of domestic abuse and those affected. The Domestic Abuse training is for anyone holding the Bishop’s licence, commission, authorisation, or permission (Clergy, PTO, Readers, Licenced Lay Ministers), Bishops Visitors / Pastoral Visitors, Parish Safeguarding Representatives, Ordinands (during IME1), PCC Members / Lay Chapter Members, staff at Theological Education Institutions with student facing roles and members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel.

The Domestic Abuse module is primarily available as an e-learning module although we will also be delivering this module face-to-face, one in each Archdeaconry, over autumn and winter 2022/2023. If you would like to attend one of the face-to-face courses, which are 3 hours long, please use the on-line booking form. However, if you would like to complete this course as an e-learning module this please log into the National Safeguarding Training Portal. If you do not already have an account with the National Safeguarding Training Portal please use our Online Safeguarding Training Guide to set one up. Once completed, please save and/or print a copy of your training certificate for your records and notify your Parish Safeguarding Rep so they can keep a record of your training achievements.

If you experience problems logging into the online training portal for your Basic Awareness and Foundation safeguarding training please send an email to the National Safeguarding Team Training Helpdesk. 

About Safer Recruitment Training:

Please go to our Safer Recruitment and People Management (SR&PM) webpage for information about the Safer Recruitment e-learning module and how to access it.

About PTO Safeguarding Training:

The PTO Safeguarding course is for PTO Clergy, PTO Lay Ministers and PTO Readers and is currently delivered face to face in one 3 -hour session. The course includes pre-course work which must be submitted prior to the first session and a post course reflection that must be submitted after you have attended the course in order to gain certification and completion. Information will be emailed to you two weeks ahead of the course along with venue details. There will be a maximum of  24 participants. Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis. To book your place on the PTO Safeguarding course please use the on-line booking form

About Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR) Induction:

In addition to completing the National Leadership Pathway training, all new Parish Safeguarding Representatives will also need to complete the Parish Safeguarding Representative Induction. The induction is delivered in one 3-hour session which will be via Zoom. Participants will need access to a computer, tablet or smart phone with internet access and a camera and microphone in order to take part. The course includes pre-course reading which will need to be undertaken prior to the session and a post course task to complete after the session in order to gain certification and completion. Information will be emailed to you ahead of the course along with Zoom joining instructions. There will be a maximum of 12 participants on each Zoom session. Bookings are taken on a first come, first served basis. To book your place on the Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR) Induction please use the on-line booking form

About Leadership Pathway Safeguarding training:

The Leadership Pathway is the required training for Archdeacons, Licensed Clergy, Licensed Lay Ministers, Licenced Readers, Curates, Ordinands (during IME1) and Parish Safeguarding Representatives (and may include Churchwardens and PTO Clergy and PTO Readers under certain circumstances – please see here for further information.) Before attending the Leadership Pathway, all those who are new in post and/or who have not previously done so will need to undertake the Basic Awareness and Foundation modules.

The Leadership Pathway is currently delivered via Zoom as a two-part course, with both 1.5 hour sessions taking place exactly one week apart. Participants will need access to a computer, tablet or smart phone with internet access and a camera and microphone in order to take part. The course includes pre-course work which must be submitted prior to the first session and a post course reflection that must be submitted after you have attended the course in order to gain certification and completion. Information will be emailed to you two weeks ahead of the course along with Zoom joining instructions. There will be a maximum of 12 participants on each Zoom session. Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis. To book your place on the Leadership Pathway safeguarding course please use the on-line booking form

Training for those in all other parish roles:

All parish officers whose roles are not listed above are required to undertake the Basic Awareness and/or Foundation modules using the online e-Learning modules provided through the National Safeguarding Training Portal. Details of how to do this are listed above.

Still not sure?

That’s ok, please direct all safeguarding training enquiries to us via email or telephone 01392 294929. We will always be happy to help where we can.