Parish Safeguarding Officer

What is a Parish Safeguarding Officer?

The Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) is a crucial connection between the wider diocese and local parish when it comes to safeguarding requirements.

They oversee and ensure safeguarding policy is being followed in all parish church activities involving children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Who Supports the Parish Safeguarding Officer?

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) holds responsibility for safeguarding and must support the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO).

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team is here to support all Parish Safeguarding Officers across Lincolnshire and provide training, information, guidance and opportunities to network.

Each Deanery Partnership also has a Parish Safeguarding Networking Meeting.

Parish Safeguarding Officer DSAP Membership

The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) is looking for a Parish Safeguarding Officer to join the panel for 2026. They will bring a local, parish perspective on safeguarding, and will be a valuable source of knowledge in meetings.

To register your interest, please email felicity.borkertas@lincoln.anglican.org by Friday 19^th December 2025. You will be contacted in January 2026.

Meetings for 2026, in Lincoln at Edward King House (commitment for the year is expected):

Tuesday 10^th March (13:00-16:00)
Tuesday 16^th June (10:00-13:00)
Tuesday 15^th September (10:00-13:00)
Tuesday 8^th December (10:00-13:00)

Please visit the Diocesan DSAP webpage link to gain an understanding of the Function of DSAP:

Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel – Lincoln Diocese

Essential Links

Training Portal

Complete mandatory learning.

Training Portal

Parish Dashboard

Keep track of safeguarding in your church as well as local and national safeguarding changes.

Parish Dashboard

Safeguarding Hub

Carry out Safer Recruitment and People Management.

Safeguarding Hub

Essential Guides

PSO Pack and Induction

Full of contact details, resources and induction information to assist you in your role.

PSO Pack

PSO Induction

Parish Safeguarding Handbook

This is under review. We will provide this resource again, when it is made available.

Essential Training

All of the training below is mandatory in order to be a Parish Safeguarding Officer > Complete training

Leadership training is booked separately > View leadership training dates

Basic Awareness (C0)

Foundation (C1)

Leadership (C2)

Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse

Safer Recruitment and People Management

LATEST ACTIONS:

*Check that you have completed all your training and that it is up to date via the Training Portal*

*Ensure outstanding DBS checks are completed and new starters are following Safer Recruitment procedure*

"*" indicates required fields

Any Safeguarding Concerns…

Please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team if you have a safeguarding concern:

Email: safeguarding@lincoln.anglican.org

Tel: 01522 504070

Q: What specific activities does the Parish Safeguarding Officer undertake?

A: They may do the following:

Keep a record of all church activities involving children and vulnerable adults;
Attend any diocesan safeguarding training offered for PSOs.
Promote inclusivity within a church community;
Liaise with incumbents and the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA);
Report any concerns/allegations against church officers to the DSA;
Report to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) more than once annually, to ensure safeguarding issues are discussed and reported to the annual Parochial Church meeting. Safeguarding should be discussed at every PCC meeting;
Keep clear, accurate and up to date records of recruitment, DBS checks and safeguarding training;
Keep the church leadership informed of good safeguarding practice;

Promote safeguarding training in the parish;
Ensure that the ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ poster is clear and easily accessible to everyone, with complete, up to date contact details on it;
Keep accurate records of any safeguarding concerns that arise, keeping the records confidential, and ensuring that others do the same;
Be familiar with diocesan safeguarding guidance and ensure that any leaders of activities are fully aware of, and are implementing, this guidance;
Undertake a regular parish safeguarding self-assessment through the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard.

Q: How do I contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team?

A: You can get in touch with the following depending on the situation:

Safeguarding Concerns:

Email: safeguarding@lincoln.anglican.org

Tel: 01522 504070

Safeguarding Training

Email: safeguarding.training@lincoln.anglican.org

Tel: 01522 504057

Q: How do I contact the DBS enquiries?

A: Please Email – DBS-Checking@lincoln.anglican.org

Q: How do I find out how to manage records in the parish?

A: Go to Record Management at Records and Information Management | The Church of England