New Network Offers Support for Parish Safeguarding Officers

Supporting Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs) to connect with one another, share experiences and receive practical support in their vital role is one of the aims of our Safeguarding Team.

A new support initiative has been inspired by a local group established by Jan Ratcliffe, Parish Safeguarding Officer at St John the Evangelist, Hurst. Recognising that safeguarding can sometimes feel like an isolated responsibility, she began bringing together clergy and Parish Safeguarding Officers from Mission Community 6 in the Oldham and Ashton Deanery, while neighbouring Mission Community 7 now also joining the conversations. The meetings take place locally on weekday evenings, following feedback from Parish Safeguarding Officers that midweek gatherings would be more accessible than weekend events. The aim is simple: to create a supportive environment where those carrying safeguarding responsibilities can learn from one another, ask questions and build relationships with others who understand the challenges and rewards of the role.

Having seen that this approach is working well, members of the diocesan Safeguarding Team will be working closely with Jan and other PSO representatives to support the meetings. This will help ensure consistency across the diocese while also creating opportunities for the Safeguarding Team to listen to Parish Safeguarding Officers and better understand the realities of the role in different parish contexts.

Several common themes have already emerged through discussions. These include questions that PCCs sometimes have about safeguarding training and understanding the purpose behind the Basic Awareness and Foundation safeguarding courses, support with using the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard, particularly for those who are less confident with technology, and a desire for greater awareness of safeguarding record-keeping requirements.

This local group has also provided opportunities to discuss safer recruitment processes, the retention of safeguarding records and the practical responsibilities involved in implementing and maintaining safeguarding procedures within parish life.

Importantly, clergy are invited to attend alongside Parish Safeguarding Officers. This helps to strengthen shared understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and gives incumbents greater insight into the work undertaken by those serving in these key parish roles.

The aim is that this local support meeting will be replicated in other areas around the diocese, working with Parish Support Officers to ensure that it is organised in a way that meets their needs. The format of the meetings is intentionally flexible, allowing groups to grow and develop according to local needs. While some communities may benefit from larger gatherings, others may prefer smaller groups focused on specific issues or concerns.

Jan believes the network in her mission community is already demonstrating the value of bringing people together:

The development of the network also forms part of a wider listening exercise, giving the safeguarding team the opportunity to hear directly from Parish Safeguarding Officers about the challenges they face and the support they need to help them carry out their role effectively.

By creating opportunities for peer support, shared learning and open conversation, the initiative aims to strengthen safeguarding practice across the diocese while ensuring that those who carry safeguarding responsibilities feel supported, valued and connected.

For more information about local Parish Safeguarding Officer support groups, contact the Safeguarding Team.