In this section of our website you will find a range of resources, policies and templates that support the work of Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs) and other church officers.
Past sessions
January 2026 - Safeguarding and AI
Sessions planned for 2026
Domestic Abuse Awareness - Ben Goodhind and Revd Lucy Davies
14:30 to 17:00 on 25 March at Flourish House
Spiritual Abuse and Domestic Violence - Sally Hope, Always Hopeful
14:00 on 27 May - online only PEGS (parental experience of violence in the home)
June (date to be finalised) online Mankind (Male victims)
14:00 on 2 July - online only
Annual PSO Conference
5 September at Flourish House
A theological look at domestic abuse through the lens of a case study in the Democratic Republic of Congo - Bishop Michael
13:00 to 15:00 on 15 October Gallop - support for those experiencing abuse in same sex relationships
19 November online (time to be finalised) Dementia and domestic abuse - Ben Goodhind
3 December 14:00 - online only
Working with survivors of domestic abuse - Fear Free
Online, date to be finalised.
Safeguarding has changed considerably in recent years. New policies and procedures are making organisations safer, but they have also significantly increased the amount of administration for safeguarding officers. Safeguarding Dashboards make administration and governance simpler for everyone. The Parish Safeguardign Dashboard (created by the company Clearly simpler) is a vital safeguarding tool which helps you:
- Easily monitor and manage safeguarding practices and policies
- Evidence your parishes compliance with the national mandatory safeguarding requirements
Further information can be found on our Safeguarding Dashboards Page.
How to Guide: I'm a new Parish Safeguarding Officer, where do I start?
1. Wait! Before we start, have Safer Recruitment procedures been followed? Ensure all necessary steps of safe recruitment have been followed before you begin.(Interviews, obtaining references, PCC approval and DBS check obtained/underway etc.)
2. Meet with your incumbent and, if possible, retiring PSO to discuss any current safeguarding matters / individuals of concern within the church. Find out what process is in place for recording safeguarding concerns and data in your parish.
3. Notify the Safeguarding Team that you have been appointed by the PCC and whether a previous PSO will be stepping down via safe.guarding@bathwells.anglican.org attaching the Data Privacy Preference Form.
4. If you wish to be involved in DBS administration for your parish you can request to be set up as a DBS checker for your Benefice in the same email. Please note that DBS administration does not have to be undertaken by the Parish Safeguarding Officer and can be delegated to others within the parish.
5. Complete your online training: Basic / Foundation / Awareness of Domestic Abuse and Safer Recruitment via the Church of England’s Safeguarding Portal.
6. Attend Safeguarding Leadership Training. Dates and links to sign-up can be found on the diocesan safeguarding Eventbrite page.
7. Sign up for Parish Safeguarding Officers Induction training course. Dates for these can also be found on the safeguarding Eventbrite page and they tend to run quarterly.
8. Sign up for the Safeguarding Dashboards.
9. Keep an eye out for our monthly safeguarding Newsletter.
10. Attend our PSO Forums (dates and details are included in the newsletter).
11. Make a note of our contact details and don't forget, the Safeguarding Team is here to support you.
The National Church have also produced a helpful information and welcome pack for PCCs and new PSOs.
We understand that the Parish Safeguarding Officer role can often look daunting to take on as a sigle person. Some of our parishes are now working as a safeguarding team where the duties of the role are shared to help manage workload. If this approach is something you would like to discuss further, please contact the team who would be happy to help.
Clergy and church officer wellbeing
The Safeguarding team receives a large number of calls relating to the wellbeing of Clergy and other church officers. If ever you feel that wellbeing support is needed, either personally or for someone you know, you can access the relevant information and support below:
Suicide prevention support
Our Safeguarding guidance document has been compiled to offer helpful sources of support in relation to suicide - both the prevention of and for those who have bereaved as a result of suicide. Download the guidance document.
DBS and training guidance
DBS Eligibility Flow Chart - Adults
DBS Eligibility Flow Chart - Children
Church of England Confidential declaration form
DBS Update Service Access Consent Form
PCC & Churchwarden DBS and Training guidance
Church of England's Learning and Development Framework
How to Sign up for the Church of England's Safeguarding Portal
Safeguarding culture worksheets for PCCs
Safeguarding Training Scenarios for PCCs
Recruitment
In the first instance please visit the Recruiting Staff pages of the website for more detailed information and guidance. These pages include sample application forms, Interview Questions and guidance on writing Role Descriptions and Person Specifications.
The Church of England offers an online guide which goes in to all aspects of Safer Recruitment. Both this and the Safer Recruitment and People Management training available via the portal are fantastic resources to aid in recruiting new employees and volunteers
Promoting a Safer Church resources and Safe Spaces posters
We have produced two new resources to help promote safeguarding in your context. Please do use them where appropriate and share any feedback on the new materials with the Safeguarding Team.
Promoting a safer church poster (PDF) - updated 13 2 23
Useful guidance and documents
• We follow the national legal and procedural framework for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and Church of England policy and practice.
• We support national policy from the Church of England including following the practice guidance Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse.
• Diocesan statement on domestic abuse
Below is a small selection of 'frequently requested' templates and resources. If there are any you would like to be included please let us know. More templates can be found on the Church of England website.
Model Consent Form - Photography and Recording
Model Equal Opportunities Policy
Model Parish Safeguarding Policy
Model Whistleblowing Policy & Guidance
Model Registration Form - Activities and Trips
Model Risk Assessment Template
Model Safeguarding Statement which can be included with church hire agreement
Who to contact
