Safeguarding News

Home » About us » CIRCUIT POLICIES » Safeguarding News

The Vale of Aylesbury Methodist Circuit — Safeguarding Training

In 2012 Arthur Sara and Pete Honeyball delivered the safeguarding foundation module to about 180 people in this circuit and Conference has decreed that this needs to be updated every five years
During April and May and September 5 sessions of safeguarding training were arranged and over 160 people in our circuit were trained, however I am aware that there are quite a few people who need to attend the training who were not able to do so for various reasons.

I am therefore organising at least one more session of training on Wednesday 29 November at Aylesbury Methodist Church from 7.30 to 9.30 pm So that we may adequately prepare please inform me of those who wish to attend. Tel 01296 484310 email ruthar@talktalk.net

As has been stated in the past The Methodist Conference has decided that it is essential that all people who need to do so must attend this training or cease to hold their roles in the church.

The Circuit meeting in September agreed that Church councils should insist on this training and if it is not completed by the Spring of 2018 those concerned should be asked to step down from their present roles. The training in November may be the last before that Spring Deadline.

The following people must attend:-
All preachers and worship leaders
All those who work with children
All those who work with vulnerable adults
All those employed by the Methodist church
Church Stewards
All Safeguarding Officers

In addition those who are appointed as pastoral visitors are invited to attend and any other post holders.

Please publicise this course in your churches and ensure that all those who must attend do so.

If there are any problems or questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Arthur Sara (Circuit Safeguarding Officer) tel 01296 484310 Email ruthar@talktalk.net

Below is the list of Office Holders that were required to attend the first training sessions in 2012.
If you fall into any of these categories and have not attended the refresher courses you should contact
Arthur Sara and make sure that you will be able to carry on after March 2018.

  • -Presbyters with an active preaching or pastoral ministry
  • -Lay employees and volunteer workers with pastoral responsibility
  • -Pastoral visitors
  • -Anyone working with 0-18 year-olds in the name of the Church
  • -Anyone working in activities targeted at adults who are vulnerable (eg luncheon club for the housebound)
  • -Church stewards, Circuit stewards, Local preachers, Worship leaders
  • -Those training for local preaching or worship leading
  • -Church and circuit safeguarding representatives
  • -Choir/music group/drama leaders -- where there are 0-18 year-olds or vulnerable adults in the group. 'Covenant of Care' group members
  • -Young leaders (ages 16-18)

    [Warmly invited but not mandatory]

  • Evangelism/mission enablers
  • Leaders of other organisations, working with 0-18 year-olds or vulnerable adults, who use church premises, which do not have an acceptable Safeguarding Policy and training.
  • Remaining choir/music group/drama leaders
  • Any other group leaders within the church, who may have adults within their particular group who are vulnerable
  • Property stewards and other keyholders, caretakers, church/circuit meeting secretaries, church/circuit/district
    administrators
    The above lists were agreed by the Methodist Conference July 2016, at the CIRCUIT MEETING on September 21st 2017 it was decided that the policy would be fully implemented by March 2018.
    This may mean that further Training Sessions will be required, they last about 2½ Hours.

    If you fall into any of the above categories and have not yet attended a Training Session please contact Arthur Sara AS SOON AS POSSIBLE tel. 01296484310 Email ruthar@talktalk.net