Responsibilities of Presbyteries in relation to safeguarding training
Information about the key presbytery roles in relation to the provision of Safeguarding Training.
Appointment of key roles
Each presbytery is responsible for appointing a Safeguarding Presbytery Contact and Safeguarding Trainer(s).
When appointing a new Volunteer Safeguarding Trainer or Safeguarding Presbytery Contact, the Presbytery Clerk should submit the SG12 Notification Form to notify the Safeguarding Service.
Prospective Volunteer Safeguarding Trainers are also required to complete the SG13 Safeguarding Trainer Application Form.
It is expected that Presbyteries resource their Trainers by:
- Providing access to up-to-date presentation equipment, i.e., laptop and projector and access to a videoconferencing account for online courses
- Supplying course printed materials or reimbursement for printing of materials, e.g., course registers, participant evaluation forms, participant attendance certificates, etc.
- Reimbursing travel, postage, printing, and any other appropriate expense incurred by the trainer in providing Safeguarding training within the trainer's home presbytery
Job descriptions
Below are the job descriptions for the key presbytery roles in relation to the provision of Safeguarding Training: The Safeguarding Presbytery Contact and Safeguarding Trainer.
Click on the headings below for more information.
Safeguarding Presbytery Contact
Title of Post: Safeguarding Presbytery Contact
Responsible to: Appointing Presbytery
Supported by: Presbytery and Safeguarding Training Officer from the Safeguarding Service
Main purpose of post: To promote and co-ordinate the delivery of Church of Scotland safeguarding training within their Presbytery.
Principal duties and responsibilities
In consultation with the Safeguarding Training Officer, raise awareness and promote the benefits of safeguarding training within your Presbytery
In conjunction with Safeguarding Coordinators and Safeguarding Trainers, identify all safeguarding training needs throughout the Presbytery. These training needs should include training events appropriate to the needs of Kirk Sessions, Safeguarding Panel Members, Safeguarding Coordinators, volunteers and any others requiring such training.
In consultation with Trainers, plan an annual programme of courses to meet identified need
Where unforeseen training needs become apparent, and in conjunction with Safeguarding Coordinators and Safeguarding Trainers, arrange additional Presbytery training courses as and when required
Liaise with existing Safeguarding Trainers and the Safeguarding Training Officer to assess whether there are sufficient Safeguarding Trainers to meet current and future needs. Where there is no such resilience, be involved in the recruitment of additional or replacement Safeguarding trainers, as necessary.
Make practical arrangements for courses, ensuring a mixed geographical distribution of opportunities for safeguarding training and online opportunities where possible
Use presbytery meetings and communications with Safeguarding Coordinators to publicise the location, dates and times of courses. Where spaces and opportunities exist for course participants from out with the presbytery, notify the Safeguarding Service so that these courses might be advertised nationally.
Maintain accurate records of the number, type, and location of all training courses carried out in the presbytery, as well as the total number of participants on the courses. Report the totals of each to the Safeguarding Service when requested on an annual basis or via any other reasonable request.
Receive requests for places on arranged courses and liaise with Safeguarding Trainers to advise when courses have sufficient applications to proceed or not
Ensure Safeguarding Trainers are adequately resourced and supported to enable them to present courses
Liaise with Safeguarding Trainers and the Safeguarding Training Officer where there are reported concerns about the quality of training
Meet regularly with the Safeguarding Coordinators and Safeguarding Trainers in your presbytery to debrief and reflect on the organisation, content and delivery of Safeguarding training
Keep up to date with developments in safeguarding and, in particular, safeguarding training and represent your presbytery at safeguarding events
Where appropriate, support the attestation of safeguarding records at presbytery
Include 'safeguarding' as a standing agenda item at presbytery meetings and make a report to presbytery of all safeguarding matters within the Presbytery or notified nationally by the Safeguarding Service.
Skills and Experience
- Experience/knowledge of safeguarding issues
- Knowledge of Kirk Session and presbytery structures and operations
- Ability to assess and identify training needs and to plan training events to meet those needs
- Good organisational, administrative and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Competent IT skills with access to a computer and the internet
Volunteer Safeguarding Trainer
Title of Post: Volunteer Safeguarding Trainer
Responsible to: Appointing Presbytery
Supported by: Safeguarding Training Officer, Church of Scotland Safeguarding Service
Main purpose of post: To deliver Safeguarding training in Church of Scotland congregations.
Principal duties and responsibilities
In conjunction with the Presbytery Safeguarding Contact and the Safeguarding Service, arrange and deliver safeguarding training for those individuals required to attend
Deliver safeguarding training using materials and resources provided or approved by the Safeguarding Service and by your presbytery
Ensure an accurate record of attendance is taken
Submit training records and submit evaluation forms upon request
Through the Church of Scotland Safeguarding Service keep up to date with developments in safeguarding and safeguarding training.
Skills and Experience
- Experience and knowledge of safeguarding (child protection and/or adult support and protection)
- Evidence of experience and ability to deliver training. It is desirable that candidates have experience of delivering training, from which skills can be transferred, and even better, but not essential, if that training was related to safeguarding.
- Experience of using varied methods of delivering training
- Effective organisational, administrative, and interpersonal skills
- Good IT skills