This page brings together guidance and resources specifically for Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs). The page includes information to help you understand your role, complete required training, access resources and guidance, and stay up to date.
If you are new to the PSO role, please start with the 'Appointing a PSO' and 'Getting started' sections below.
On this page
Appointing a Parish Safeguarding Officer
Every parish must appoint at least one Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Preferably the PSO should be someone who is a lay person. The PSO cannot be the Incumbent or his or her partner.
Please notify us when a PSO retires from post or when a new PSO has been appointed, to ensure they receive our support and communications. Email: safeguarding@chelmsford.anglican.org
Role and responsibilities
The PSO role requires a high degree of honesty, integrity and discretion. The PSO will have access to confidential and potentially sensitive information.
Core PSO responsibilities include:
- Working closely with the Incumbent to advise on all safeguarding matters relating to children, young people and vulnerable adults
- Receiving any concerns about children or adults with the Incumbent and making sure proper advice is sought and referrals made
- Reporting all matters relating to concerns and allegations of abuse against church officers, in liaison with the Incumbent, to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team
- Ensuring that any ex-offenders with relevant offences known to be in the church community are notified to the DST
- Promoting safer practices in all activities
- Seeking to ensure that Safer Recruitment practice is followed
- Attending diocesan safeguarding training at least every three years
- Maintaining safeguarding records
- Completing national, diocesan and parish safeguarding self-assessments as required
- Reporting on safeguarding at each PCC meeting - safeguarding should be a standing agenda item
- Providing an annual safeguarding report at the APCM
Training Courses/Sessions for Parish Safeguarding Officers
Church of England courses that every PSO is required to complete
Please be aware: Regardless of your professional/secular background you are still required to complete all of the required Church of England Safeguarding Courses. The only other accreditation that the Church of England National Safeguarding Team will accept instead is from the Methodist Church as their training covers both child and adult safeguarding in a Christian Faith setting.
Then these 4 courses in any order:
- PSO (Parish Safeguarding Officer) Induction
- Leadership (every 3 years)
- Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse (every 3 years)
- Safer Recruitment and People Management (every 3 years)
Optional courses
Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
PSO Extended Learning Modules for self-directed learning
Navigating the Web: Keeping Church Communities Safe Online
We are providing a short optional safeguarding session presented by 'Jill Webb Training' that is available for you too book onto FREE of charge. Many of you might recognise Jill Webb from your completion of the Leadership course.
By attending Navigating the Web: Keeping Church Communities Safe Online you will Learn more about safeguarding in online church communities – identifying concerns and reporting them effectively. It is a high-impact, 70-minute Zoom session to build your confidence and understanding. Attendees will need a device with a speaker, microphone and access to a reliable internet connection.
The session does not include a test/assessment, course work or pass grade. It explores:
- Safeguarding awareness in a digital world.
- Understanding risks online.
- Responding to safeguarding concerns which might arise online.
- Creating safe cultures online.
- Knowledge of relevant Policy/Practice Guidance. Accessing further support and resources.
The session is available to all PSOs that have completed the required Church of England Leadership Training within the last 3 years - but there are a limited number of places available on each session. See booking links below.
Please be aware: Attendees names and email addresses will be shared with ‘Jill Webb Training’ for the purpose of this session only:
The session Zoom link will be sent out, to those that have successfully booked, 48 hours before the session. This will be sent out by someone with an email address ending in @jillwebbtraining.co.uk or @jwtassociates.co.uk. If this has not arrived by 24 hours before the session, please check your junk mail. If you still cannot find the link, contact info@jillwebbtraining.co.uk
Once the session is finished, your details will be deleted by ‘Jill Webb Training’ and only retained if you have given permission for this specifically on the end of course feedback form. Data will always be handled in line with the Jill Webb Training Information Management and Privacy Policy found at jillwebbtraining.co.uk/terms-and-conditions
This is a unique opportunity, only available for a limited time, that we hope many of you will be able to benefit from. To book your place on one of these sessions please click on the relevant eventbrite booking link below and follow the instructions:
Disclosure and Barring Service checks for Parish Safeguarding Officers
The PSO role alone is not automatically eligible for an Enhanced DBS check. If the PSO is also a PCC member, they may be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check without barred lists.
For PSOs who are not eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, a Basic DBS (hyperlink this) check can be processed instead.
If you hold a DBS certificate from another organisation, this can only be accepted if you are subscribed to the DBS Update Service
Full DBS guidance can be found on our Safer Recruitment inc DBS page
PSO/Recruiter drop-in sessions
We hold regular virtual drop-in sessions via Zoom where PSOs and Parish Recruiters can ask general safeguarding questions, share experiences and meet the team. Anyone from the parish is welcome to join.
Attendance is optional, not recorded, and completely flexible - stay for as long or short a time as you wish.
Dates are communicated via the quarterly PSO newsletter - sign up to receive your copy.
Safeguarding newsletter
Our quarterly newsletter contains updates, reminders and safeguarding guidance for all PSOs, Lead/Additional Recruiters and Dashboard Owners. If you hold one of these roles and do not currently receive the newsletter, please email us to confirm your contact details.
Sign up to our Safeguarding Newsletter
Annual Safeguarding Service
Bishop Guli hosts an annual Safeguarding Service for everyone involved in safeguarding across the diocese. Our next Annual Safeguarding Service will be held on the evening of Monday 21st June 2027 details to follow nearer the time.