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