Child Safeguarding Training
This training provides a basic understanding of child safeguarding and is required for all leaders, helpers and volunteers working with children and young people within PCI. Training should be completed every three years.
As in May and June, training is being delivered at Presbytery level. A booking system is now in place, and a ticket is required to attend. The “Book Now” button will take you to an Eventbrite page where you can sign up for the training that is relevant for you. Each individual must book their own ticket; group bookings are not permitted. Sessions are capped at 80 places, so please read the Eventbrite information carefully when booking. You must attend training from within your own presbytery.
Training will take place throughout September and October. There will be no training sessions in December or January, with child safeguarding training recommencing in February 2027.
Please prioritise leaders, helpers and volunteers who have not completed child safeguarding training within the last three years, including those who have been newly appointed. If someone is unable to attend a September or October session, please be assured that further training opportunities will be available throughout 2027.
We are working hard to provide a training session in every presbytery before the end of October. If a session for your presbytery is not yet listed, please note that we are still working to arrange one and further information will be provided as soon as dates are confirmed.
As a reminder, it is the responsibility of each Designated Person/Designated Liaison Person/Safeguarding Team within the church to maintain a record of attendance for all leaders, helpers and volunteers.
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Kirk Session Training
Kirk Session safeguarding training is essential for all members of Kirk Session, including ministers, and should be completed every three years. This training is required even if a Kirk Session member has previously completed PCI Child Safeguarding Training, as it focuses specifically on the responsibilities of Kirk Session in relation to safeguarding.
Kirk Session holds ultimate responsibility for safeguarding within the congregation including the appointment of new leaders, and has a collective responsibility to ensure that children, young people and adults at risk are safe within church. This training equips Kirk Session members to understand their safeguarding responsibilities, recognise concerns, respond appropriately to allegations, report concerns and accurately record relevant information.
Kirk Session is also responsible for supporting and overseeing the Designated Person/Designated Liaison Person, including ensuring they have access to appropriate training and vetting. It is therefore essential that all Kirk Session members and ministers maintain up-to-date safeguarding training and remain actively engaged in safeguarding as an ongoing part of church leadership.
Training requests should be made through the Central Safeguarding Office:
📞 028 9041 7234
✉️ [email protected]
It is the responsibility of the Designated Person/Designated Liaison Person or Clerk of Presbytery/Clerk of Session to record attendance for Kirk Session training.
Designated Person Training
This training is specifically for Designated Persons/Designated Liaison Persons, Deputy Designated Persons/Deputy Designated Liaison Persons and small safeguarding teams within PCI congregations.
It focuses on the duties and responsibilities of the Designated Person role, including PCI’s safeguarding policies, procedures and reporting processes.
There is a requirement for all current DPs/DLPs and DDPs/DDLPs to attend training so that they are adequately equipped for their role. The training is required every three years.
As we are unable to provide a session in every Presbytery, please book whichever available date and location is most convenient for you. You do not need to wait for a session in your own Presbytery. Please note that DPs/DLPs should attend a training session in the region that is relevant to the location of their church.
For example:
- DPs whose church is located in Northern Ireland (NI) should attend a training session taking place in Northern Ireland.
- DLPs whose church is located in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) should attend a training session taking place in the Republic of Ireland.
This is to ensure that DPs receive the training and information most relevant to the context in which their church operates.
Small safeguarding teams (for example, a DP/Deputy DP, safeguarding elder and minister) are also welcome to attend where this would support the congregation’s safeguarding responsibilities.
Booking is essential. Each attendee must register individually and obtain their own Eventbrite ticket. Places are limited, so please book as soon as possible.
If you are unable to attend one of the current sessions, further DP/DLP training will be available in 2027.
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Adult Safeguarding Training
This is currently under development.
At this stage, we have no further availability to add additional training sessions before the end of the year; instead, we are using this time to review and restructure how we deliver training, with the aim of beginning a refreshed and more consistent programme from February 2027.