If you have been recently appointed
Ensure that your parish/benefice has sent across your M4 form to notify us of your appointment. This means we can make sure that you recieve regular safeguarding updates and use the Safeguarding Dashboard for your parish. The M4 form is available to download as a Microsoft Word or PDF document.
Your responsibilities as a PSO
The Parish Safeguarding Officer is the key link between the diocese and the parish/es, concerning safeguarding matters. Your main responsibilities are:
- Coordinate, with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, the management of safeguarding across the Area.
- Ensure the proper flow of safeguarding information to and from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
- Ensure that the Code of Safer Working Practice is being followed in parishes across the Area.
- Identify and support training needs and promote good practice in safeguarding across the Area.
National Church PSO Model Role Description
The key tasks of the parish safeguarding officer are to:
- Have an overview of all church activities involving children and vulnerable adults and keep a record of these activities.
- Be familiar with diocesan safeguarding guidance and ensure that leaders of activities are fully aware of, and are implementing, this guidance.
- Liaise with the incumbent over safeguarding issues.
- Keep in touch with the leaders of all activities and offer them advice and support over safeguarding matters.
- Liaise as necessary with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers. Report all concerns or allegations against church officers to the DSA.
- Attend diocesan safeguarding training offered for PSOs.
- Assist with safeguarding training in the parish as appropriate.
- Attend a meeting of the church leadership (PCC) at least annually to ensure safeguarding issues are discussed and that the church leadership adopt the annual Church Safeguarding Policy.
- Ensure that the Church Safeguarding Policy and contact details is displayed in all church premises.
- Keep good records of any safeguarding concerns that may arise, and ensure that others do the same.
- Promote inclusiveness in places of worship and within church activities.
- Keep the church leadership informed of good safeguarding practice.
- Undertake a regular parish safeguarding self-assessment in the format offered by the diocese.
This Microsoft Word document can be adapted for local use and contains a fuller description of the responsibilities a PSO will undertake in their parish/benefice.
The Parish Safeguarding Handbook
Familiarise yourself with the Parish Safeguarding Handbook. The document supports the day-to-day safeguarding work of parishes and will guide all those with a key role in safeguarding. Note that section six of the handbook is now out of date, this information replaces it.