Safeguarding Training

Creating Safer Space

The safeguarding training offered by the Methodist Church includes the Foundation and Advanced Modules.

Foundation Module

This training can serve either as a basic starting point or as a refresher course. Whatever your role within the Church, it will help you understand safeguarding in the Methodist Church and our collective responsibility for creating safer spaces for all.

The training's overall aim is to increase safeguarding awareness, so the Church can exercise its duty of care to all: its members, office-holders and anyone who comes through its doors. We create a safer Church by developing your understanding of, and confidence in, our safeguarding processes and your individual place within these processes.

Please contact the Circuit Office to find out details about further upcoming courses and click here for the course handbook

Advanced Module

The Foundation module is required before attending the Advanced training. Safeguarding training is mandatory for those in the roles identified in the following link: Advanced Module Required Attendance . This includes all ministers, local preachers & worship leaders, lay workers with children and vulnerable adults, District Policy Committee members and circuit safeguarding co-ordinators.

There are two options for this module: Face to face or on-line. More details of each can be found on our District website . This training is organised by the Regional Safeguarding Officer. Any questions about this should be addressed in the first instance to Katrin, the District administrator – katrin@sheffieldmethodist.org

The course is split into three parts:

Self-Study/e-learning – E-learning (units 1-5a) – approximately 4 to 7 hours which can be completed in smaller sections. Alongside the e-learning, participants complete a Workbook which they then take to the Gathered session. Please note that the Self-Study element is not suitable to be done on a mobile phone or tablet. Please get in touch if this is your only means of accessing the Internet.
Gathered Session – (Unit 5b) – a 2 hour facilitated session to consolidate learning from Advanced Module (online) e-learning held on Zoom.
Handbook- to support learning during Advanced Module and for further study and resources.

Dates of the Advanced Module Online Gathered sessions 2025-2026

This training is shared between four Districts, but you can attend any session:

Day                    Date                 Time      Host District

Thursday         17-Sep-26     2pm       Darlington & Newcastle

Monday           12-Oct-26      10am    Yorkshire North East

Wednesday    14-Oct-26      7pm       Yorkshire North East

Wednesday    28-Oct-26      10am    Yorkshire North East

Monday           02-Nov-26     10am    Sheffield

Monday           03-Nov-26     7pm       Sheffield

Monday           09-Nov-26     10am    Darlington & Newcastle

Wednesday    18-Nov-26    7pm       Scotland

Thursday         25-Feb-27     7pm       Sheffield

Saturday          27-Feb-27     10am    Sheffield

Thursday         08-Apr-27      2pm       Darlington & Newcastle

Tuesday           04-May-27    10am    Yorkshire North East

Wednesday    05-May-27    7pm       Darlington & Newcastle

Wednesday    12-May-27    7pm       Yorkshire North East

Thursday         20-May-27    7pm       Yorkshire North East

Use this link to register for your preferred date and time:

Advanced module Online booking and information

You can view our Circuit Safeguarding policy here.

Face to Face sessions

These sessions last about 5 hours. Some preparation beforehand is required. The Foundation Module must be completed before attending the Advanced Module for the first time.

Dates and venues for Face to Face sessions 2027

All sessions will run from 10am to 3pm (approx.)

Monday 12th April
Saturday 24th April
Tuesday 11th May
Saturday 12th Jun
Tuesday 22nd June
Wednesday 14th July
Tuesday 20th July

Register and find more details here

Please note that registrations close 30 days before the event date to allow enough time to receive and complete the preparation material before attending the core session.
There needs to be a minimum of 15 people registered for the session to take place.
The Foundation Module must be completed before attending the Advanced Module for the first time.

Contacts

Alison Hill

Regional Officer for Safeguarding
Tel: 07483 362735Tel: 020 74675189
Email: hilla@methodistchurch.org.uk