Summary of January 2025 drop-in session

Brief notes of discussions at this drop-in session are:

Part 1 – specific questions and queries

• A decision has recently been made that parishes are not required to complete the safeguarding audit for 2024 if the safeguarding dashboards are kept up to date. However the Safeguarding Action Plan and Confidential Data Sheet are still required.  Information from the Safeguarding Dashboards Action Plan can be used to inform the action plan for 2025
• Please contact the Church of England team for questions on anything not working on the training portal
• It can be helpful to have regular catchup meetings with volunteers to check that they are comfortable with the safeguarding aspects of their roles
• Information on Safer Recruitment and People Management can be found on the Church of England web pages
• Ensure that everyone travelling to support Mission abroad is properly recruited with the correct level of checks. Different countries will have different safeguarding standards and these activities provide opportunities to demonstrate our expectations, but it is important to remember our we cannot impose our standards on other countries

Part 2 – general reflection and conversation on the PSO role

• Some present felt encouraged by criticism of the Church in the media following the Makin report because it will encourage accountability
• There was strong recognition of the significant amount of good work going on at a local level. PSOs felt it was important for the wider community to understand that safeguarding is very good at a local level
• PSOs said they feel very well supported through the drop-ins and the regional safeguarding team. Many PSOs would not now take on the role without the support they have through the Diocese
• PSO drop-in sessions are very helpful and supportive
• It was suggested that PSOs could wear a lanyard saying “ask me about safeguarding” as a demonstration that safeguarding is important in parishes. These are available from the 31:8 website
• Some PSOs would like in person meet-ups. It will be considered whether these should be on a Diocesan, Area or Deanery level
• If a PSO is feeling the role is too large, then a second PSO can be appointed to share the role
• An update on the processes around consideration of the Makin report recommendations will be ready for General Synod, published around the 23^rd