Safeguarding FAQs

Please do take a look at the below sections to identify the answer that you may be seeking in relation to training and safer recruitment.  

Safeguarding Training 

Q: What training modules do I require for my role within the Church? 

A: If you are not sure what training you need, you can find out here.

Q: I am new to my post; when should I complete training? 

A: Any relevant training should be completed within six months of taking up a post. 

Q: How do I access training? 

A: Most of the training can be accessed via the Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal (https://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/). The only training that cannot be accessed via the portal is Leadership (C2). If you require this training, email safeguarding.training@lincoln.anglican.org for more information.  

Q: What are the training modules? 

A: The training modules offered through the Training Portal and the Diocese are as follows: 

• Basic Awareness (C0)
• Foundation (C1)
• Leadership (C2)
• Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse 
• Safer Recruitment and Management 

There are also the additional Parish Safeguarding Officer (to be completed only once) and Modern Slavery training. 

Q: How can I find the dates for upcoming Leadership (C2) training? 

A: The dates for upcoming Leadership (C2) training can also be found here.  

Q: I have an issue with the Safeguarding Training Portal. Who should I contact? 

A: If you have an issue with the Portal, please contact the national help desk at elearning@safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org.  

Q: How long does my Safeguarding Training last for? 

A: Safeguarding Training courses last for 3 years, after which you will need to renew your training. More information on this is in the next question. 

Q: If I have completed Leadership (C2), should I also complete Basic Awareness (C0) and Foundation (C1)? 

A: Before you complete Leadership (C2), you should also complete Basic Awareness (C0) and Foundation (C1). Once you have completed these two courses, as well as Leadership (C2), you no longer need to renew Basic Awareness (C0) and Foundation (C1) – You will only need to renew Leadership (C2) when the time comes. Likewise, if you have completed both Basic Awareness (C0) and Foundation (C1), you no longer need to renew Basic Awareness (C0). If you have only completed Basic Awareness (C0), you will still need to renew it when it expires. 

Q: How do I know which courses I have completed? 

A: You should have a record of your completed courses. However, they can also be accessed via the training portal: when logged on to the portal, click on your profile on the top right, scroll down the page and it will show you what courses you have completed through a series of ‘badges’. 

Q: Can the courses be completed as a group? 

A: If an individual has no access to a computer, they are allowed to complete the training as part of a group, in a Diocese-led course. After the course is complete, the date of the training, the module and the name of anyone that completed it should be sent to safeguarding.training@lincoln.anglican.org. 

DBS and Safer Recruitment 

Q: Who does the Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance apply to? 

A: The requirements in the guidance must be followed for the appointment of all roles within the Church body that involve substantial contact with children and/or vulnerable adults, whether the appointment is paid or voluntary. 

Q: What ID do I need for a DBS check? 

A: You should bring three different documents – preferably your passport, driving licence and a recent (within the past 3 months) bank statement. Further information can be accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-identity-checking-guidelines/id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-1-july-2021. 

Q: How do I know if a role is eligible for an enhanced DBS with/without a barred list check? 

A: An eligibility guide can be found on the 31:8 website (https://thirtyoneeight.org/help-and-resources/ebulk-recruiter-resources/) (sign in/sign up needed). 

Generally, you should consider the following: 

Children 

If the role is unsupervised, and teaches, instructs, trains, cares for or supervises children, or provides advice on physical, emotional or educational well-being, whether frequent (at least once a week), intensive (4 + days in a 30-day period, or on an overnight basis (2am-6am), the individual is eligible for an enhanced DBS check with barring information in relation to children. 

If the individual is carrying out the activities but does not satisfy the frequency test or period condition and/or are supervised, the individual is eligible for enhanced DBS check without barring information in relation to children. 

Adults 

If the role does not involve one of these 6 categories: Health care; personal care; social work; assisting with money, bills or shopping; assistance with affairs or transportation, then they are not eligible for an enhanced DBS check with barring information in relation to adults. 

If the individual provides training, teaching, instruction, assistance, advice or guidance to an adult who receives a health/social care service (ie. In a care home) or a ‘specified activity’ (ie. Prison), on either a frequent, intensive or overnight basis, they will be eligible for an enhanced DBS check but without barring information in relation to adults. 

For further information and any queries, contact the 31:8 advice service on 0303 003 1111, or disclosure@thirtyoneeight.org.  

Further information and advice can also be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/dbs-eligibility-guidance. 

Q: Do PCC members and Churchwardens need DBS checks? 

A: PCC members that sponsor/approve other children’s work or work with vulnerable adults should complete a DBS check. The appropriate check would be an enhanced check without barring information. 

All PCC members who are eligible should have a DBS check, and when a PCC undertakes the activities set out above, all members are eligible for a check. This is in the best interests of safeguarding, is good practice and identifies individuals with any previous convictions/concern which was otherwise unknown. 

Churchwardens are ex officio members of the PCC, and as such, when the PCC qualifies for a check, the churchwarden(s) would be eligible for an enhanced DBS check without barred list check. 

Q: Do adult choir members in a Church Body require an enhanced DBS check? 

A: If you are an adult choir member in a Church Body which also contains children or vulnerable adults, you only require an enhanced check If you are responsible for teaching, training, caring for or supervising children or vulnerable adults. Otherwise, they would only be eligible for a basic check. 

Q: How long does a DBS last? 

A: The expiry dates for a DBS, both basic and enhanced, have recently changed: 

• Checks done before 4^th January 2022 last for 5 years. 
• Checks done on or after 4^th January 2022 last for 3 years. 
• Between 4^th January 2022 and 3^rd January 2024, all individuals with a DBS must be rechecked, in order to get all checks in line with the new three-year duration. By 3^rd January 2024, all those requiring enhanced DBS checks (with/without Barred List) will have a certificate that is three years or less, and will be on a 3 yearly recheck cycle. 

Q: Is a DBS transferable within the Diocese? 

A:  A DBS check is transferable within the diocese, as long at the level of check is correct. For example, if you have A DBS for working with children, and your new role will include working with adults, then you will need a new DBS, as your current one will not cover you. 

Q: If someone is applying for a post from overseas, what criminal record check do they need? 

A: The individual making the appointment should ask the applicant to obtain any criminality from their relevant embassy or police force. This means that in addition to the DBS check, the applicant must seek the additional check to cover the time they spent overseas. 

If such information is not available, or there are any concerns about the reliability of the information, the employer should seek additional information/references, as well as contact the applicant’s previous employer. 

Q: If I am a Lead Recruiter, but require a DBS within my church role, who can process my application? 

Q: What is the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard, and how do I use it? 

A: The Parish Safeguarding Dashboard is a free, useful safeguarding tool. It is a way of keeping all your safeguarding records together, in an easy-to-access location. It tells you if you are up to date with the safeguarding requirements of the House of Bishops. 

A: A Deputy Recruiter can complete the ID check for the Lead Recruiter. If there is no Deputy Recruiter, the Lead Recruiter can approach a nearby parish, however the application will appear under their parish records. 

Q: If I am a volunteer, do I have to pay for my DBS? 

A: If you are a volunteer, the Diocese will pay for your application. 

General 

Q: What is a PSO and what is their role? 

A: The Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) is the key link between the diocese and the parish. The role can be one or more individuals. The key tasks of the PSO are as follows: