Training

The URC is committed to providing a standardised training programme to ensure that all individuals working with children, young people and adults at risk understand the processes and policies of the URC. 

The Safeguarding Training framework is currently in draft but will outline the intention to provide modular safeguarding training at the following levels:

• basic
• intermediate
• advanced
• specialist

All face-to-face training has been suspended until further notice, although this is being reviewed on a regular basis in line with government guidance. In the meantime, BASIC safeguarding training will be delivered via Zoom and dates will be released shortly.

Basic Training

Basic Safeguarding Training is being delivered by the Synod Safeguarding Adviser.

The training sessions are going really well and here are several comments that people have made:

'Many thanks for last night's training – I thought that it was excellent, and the best safeguarding training which I have undertaken in a church context.'

'The general awareness training and just listening to the presentation reinforced what I needed to know.'

'Thanks for doing the training this afternoon. You’re very clear and it was very useful.'

'You gave an excellent training session.'

'Thank you for your excellent input this afternoon. I feel more confident to address potential situations should they arise following your guidance.'

The two hour online training session is for ALL volunteers and paid workers, including elders, within the churches who have NOT attended any URC Safeguarding training in the last three years.

The sessions are limited to a maximum of 20 people per session. Anyone who registers to attend the training will then be sent the Zoom link for the relevant training session.

Please register for one of the training sessions with the Synod Safeguarding Adviser, by emailing Julie Rafferty on: safeguarding@urcmerseysynod.org.uk 

Please register for one of the training sessions with the Synod Safeguarding Adviser, by emailing Julie Rafferty on: safeguarding@urcmerseysynod.org.uk 

Due Diligence Checking (DDC) 

DDC will be delivering training for all church DBS verifiers/ document checkers. Are you new to the DDC system or just forgotten how to use it? Do you understand the criteria for the different level of DBS checks? All the sessions will be the same and are via Zoom. The dates and times of the sessions are as follows:

Please register for one of the training sessions with the Synod Safeguarding Adviser, by emailing Julie Rafferty on: safeguarding@urcmerseysynod.org.uk 

Events

To support churches with safeguarding issues and concerns, there will be periodic additional events for people to attend both online and face to face (when the guidelines allow!)

Forthcoming Zoom events

• Church Safeguarding Coordinator networking meetings – starting date to be confirmed
• Drop-In Safeguarding surgeries – every fortnight - day, time to be confirmed.