Safeguarding

‘Creating a church culture that is safer for all’ 

Whatever the demographic of your church community, safeguarding is vital. Safeguarding involves keeping both children and ‘adults at risk’ safe from harm. 

Safeguarding practice in the URC National Synod of Wales is governed by three things: Good Practice 6 Wales (URC’s Wales-specific safeguarding guidance and resources), Wales Safeguarding Procedures (Social Care Wales), and the Charity Commission. Additional resources related to Good Practice 6 can be found on the URC website here.

While safeguarding is ‘everyone’s responsibility’, it is the serving Elders and Minister in each church who have primary responsibility for safeguarding in their church. Each church also has a Church Safeguarding Coordinator, who is ‘on hand’ to respond to safeguarding concerns at local church level.  Church Safeguarding Coordinators then pass on concerns to the Synod Safeguarding Officer. 

The Synod Safeguarding Officer can be contacted by email or phone on 07883 361093. The Deputy Safeguarding Officer can be contacted by email or phone via the Synod Office on 029 2019 5728. 

Safer Election of Elders

The United Reformed Church sees eldership as a calling, not a job. Elders are chosen for their gifts, faith, character and service, and share in the spiritual oversight, pastoral care and leadership of the local church.

Because Elders hold positions of trust, the URC recommends a safer election process, similar to safer recruitment, while allowing for prayerful discernment.

Key points of the process:

  • The church meeting should agree the nomination process at least two weeks before the election.
  • Nominations should be given in writing to the Minister and/or Church Secretary.
  • Nominees should normally have been church members for at least one year.
  • Nominees should receive information about the role, including the promises and functions of Elders.
  • Nominees should have a conversation with the Minister or Interim Moderator and a serving Elder about:
    • the responsibilities of eldership
    • safeguarding procedures
    • trusteeship responsibilities, where relevant
    • any issues that may require a safeguarding risk assessment
    • completion of a self-declaration form
  • Nominees must agree for their names to go forward to the church meeting.
  • Election should normally be by secret ballot, with only church members voting.
  • Once elected, new Elders should:
    • complete induction training, normally including shadowing an experienced Elder
    • receive the URC Guidelines for the Conduct and Behaviour of Elders
    • receive the church safeguarding policy and know how to report concerns
    • apply for the appropriate DBS/PVG check where required
    • complete safeguarding training within six months of ordination and/or induction.

This process helps churches choose Elders prayerfully and responsibly, ensuring they are informed, supported, trained and appropriately checked.

urc.org.uk/urc-ministries/safer-election-of-elders/

Safer Recruitment

Recruiting volunteers or appointing people to paid roles is an important opportunity to take a proactive approach to safeguarding. Good recruitment helps churches check that each person is safe, suitable and appropriately supported for the role they are being asked to undertake.

Churches should therefore use clear and consistent recruitment practices to help minimise risk. This includes gathering relevant information, checking references and skills, and making sure each person understands the expectations of the role.

Checks to consider

  • Before someone begins a role, churches should consider the following checks and conversations as part of their safer recruitment process:
  • An application form should be completed to gather basic contact details and provide a summary of the person’s skills and experience.
  • Two references should be requested to help build a fuller picture of the person’s suitability for the role.
  • An informal conversation should take place to explore why the person would like to take on the role and to give them the opportunity to ask questions.
  • A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check should be considered where appropriate. DBS checks form part of a wider safeguarding approach, and churches should refer to Good Practice 6 for guidance on when they are required.
  • An induction should be provided so the person understands the role, local routines and any required training, such as safeguarding, first aid or food hygiene.
  • A trial or review period can help the church and the individual reflect on how the role is working and identify whether any adjustments are needed.

Safeguarding Training 

All safeguarding training offered is designed to:

  • equip you to create a church culture that is safer for all
  • inform you about safeguarding issues relevant to your context
  • alert you to statutory safeguarding requirements
  • enable you to respond appropriately

Safeguarding training is regularly available for all, including those working with children, young people and adults at risk, Ministers and Elders. 

Training offered  

Everyone one involved in any work within our churches is recommended to under take Group A E-learning It can be accessed by Clicking HERE

This training is offered by Social Care Wales; it can be done at anytime and takes around 30 –45 mins to complete.

Our training  Intermediate/Group B takes place online on a regular basis. It consists of 3 modules:

  • Module 1 is done by course participants via a link to E- learning before the online session by clicking HERE
  • Module 2 which is an online session via zoom.
  • Module 3  is undertaken after the online session and a link to the training is available HERE

What is I have already undertaken Group B training through my employment?

An Introduction to Safeguarding in the URC is an open-access course for those who already have safeguarding experience and have completed professional safeguarding training within the last three years. It focuses on church-specific safeguarding, church-based cases and who to refer to in the URC.

It does not cover the signs and symptoms of abuse; anyone needing this should complete Foundation level training.

It can be accessed HERE

You will need to show the safeguarding officer your certificate of completion of Group training.

In Person training

We can offer training in person to local churches on request. This is Intermediate/Group B training which is required for all elders and people working with Children and Young people and adults at risk. This training takes  a whole day running typically from 9.30/10am till 3pm. Please make enquiries about an in person training form the Depuy Safeguarding officer  who delivers this training  or the Synod Safeguarding officer

Advanced Training

This training can  be undertaken via the URC or from the Deputy Safeguarding officer on request.

People who need to undertake this training are:

  • Church Safeguarding coordinators
  • Active and Active retired Ministers and CRCW’s
  • Synod Moderators
  • URC Trustees and Synod Trustees
  • Lead Synod Trustee for Safeguarding
  • Safeguarding officer and Deputy Safeguarding officer.
  • Dates for Advance training can be found HERE

Church Safeguarding Coordinators

Church Safeguarding Coordinators e-learning is for all Church Safeguarding Coordinators, particularly those new to the role. It explains what the role involves and provides links to useful documents. It can be accessed HERE.

Bespoke Training is available from the URC

  • Verifiers and Safer Recruitment
  • Elders as Trustees
  • Safer Recruitment
  • Substance Abuse
  • Refugees & Asylum Seekers
  • Spiritual Abuse
  • Domestic Abuse
  • Modern Slavery
  • Online Safety
  • Supporting Survivors
  • Line manager training
  • Adult Safeguarding
  • Children and Young People Safeguarding
  • Safeguarding Adults
  • Line Manager training
  • Verbal Intervention Training

Other bespoke training dates and other training information can be found on the URC Safeguarding page. Click HERE

What level of training do I need to do?

  • Group A training and the Introduction to Safeguarding in the URC course is for all who volunteer or work in URC churches.

*Please note the date, remember to download a certificate of completion, and notify the Synod Safeguarding Officer at safeguarding.urcwales@urc.org.uk that you have completed the course.

GROUP A & Introduction to safeguarding in the URC needs to be completed before you can do Group B/Intermediate Training

  • Group B/Intermediate training is for all those in the URC who have regular contact with adults, children and members of the public in their roles. This group includes elders, ministers, children and youth workers, warm space helpers, church safeguarding coordinators and others.
  • The URC Advanced safeguarding course is recommended for Church Safeguarding Coordinators, Ministers and Moderators.

Training Dates for the whole denomination can be found  HERE

Resources

Training resources

Padlet Safeguarding resources are now available

This is a central online resource hub where  churches can find safeguarding information, training opportunities, practical forms, policy templates, and support contacts to help protect children and vulnerable adults.

It contains a range of information for churches:

  • Safeguarding guidance for children, young people, and adults at risk.
  • Training materials and courses and videos
  • Policies and templates for local churches, such as safeguarding policies, online safety guidance, volunteer recruitment documents, and safeguarding checklists.
  • Reporting and concern forms to help church officers respond appropriately to safeguarding issues.
  • Contact information and support links for safeguarding coordinators and Synod safeguarding officers.
  • External safeguarding resources from Welsh safeguarding bodies and other specialist organisations.

The Padlet is intended to help churches create and maintain a safe environment for everyone, ensuring that volunteers, elders, ministers, and safeguarding coordinators have easy access to the information and tools they need.

padlet.com/urcwales/safeguarding-resources-8dhjgwk2vdffgc06

Mental Health Resources

If someone you know is struggling with their mental health, it may be appropriate to signpost them to one of a range of services that NHS Wales offers. These are listed here; www.phw.nhs.wales/topic/mental-health-and-wellbeing

If you are looking for resources to help you support someone experiencing mental health issues, Rethink, has a range of useful factsheets on different topics available to download. Their resources can be found here. www.rethink.org

…………………………………………………………………………………….

Wales Safeguarding Procedures www.safeguarding.wales/en/

Charity Commission www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-duties-for-charity-trustees