Summary of January 2026 drop-in session

A brief summary of actions not covered in previous drop-ins can be read below:

Brief notes of discussions:

• Victims and survivors sample policy: 3757-policy-and_guidance_for-working_with_victims_and_survivors-v5-nov_2023.pdf
• This is the link to the annual safeguarding statement that should be agreed by the PCC each year and displayed on the church noticeboard on an annual basis.
• Useful Links page on the website.
• Please do register for PSO training if you have not already taken it.
• There is lots of helpful information on the PSO resource materials webpage, including the PSO Welcome pack.
• There was a question about whether you can refuse voting rights to a PCC member pending completion of DBS and safeguarding training.  This is not possible; they are a member of the PCC with the full attendance and voting rights of any other PCC member. The ultimate sanction here, if you ignore the pastoral ramifications, is to report them to the Charity Commission and seek a disqualification order.
• There is some helpful information on the useful links web page.

General updates:

The DBS Regional Outreach Adviser for Greater London, has offered to deliver some  sessions to explain the purpose of the DBS, the services and products it provides and the part it plays in safer recruitment.   These training sessions will be specifically for the parish context.

She will be delivering two different sessions online:

Disclosure and Eligibility on 3 March 13:30–15:00, 11 March 11:00–12:30 or 11th March 19:00–20:30

• Outlining the role of the Disclosure and Barring Service.
• What might be disclosed when a DBS check is made.
• Understanding DBS checks and role eligibility, including levels of check and workforce
• How “regulated activity” with adults and children is defined and what this means in practice.
• Practical exercises about applying eligibility for relevant roles

NOTE: Each of the above sessions will be the same, so you only need to attend one date.

Barring and Legal Duty to Refer on 22 April 10:00 –11:30

• The three different referral routes
• When a DBS Barring referral should be made, including when the legal duty is met
• How “regulated activity “is defined and what this means in practice.
• Relevant Conduct and Risk of Harm
• How to make a barring referral to DBS

Please register via this DBS training request form.  Once a session is full, the option will be removed from the registration form.

You will receive a Teams link a week before the session.

Next meetings:

• Thursday 5^thFebruary, 1000-1040
• Friday 6^thMarch, 1500-1540
• Wednesday 1^stApril,  0900-0940
• Tuesday 5^thMay, 1900-1940
• Saturday 6^thJune, 1000-1040
• Monday 6^thJuly, 1400-1440
• Thursday 6^thAug, 1900-1940
• Wednesday 2^ndSept, 1400-1440
• Tuesday 6^thOctober, 1000-1040
• Saturday 7^thNov, 1000-1040
• Friday 4^thDecember,  0930-1010