Training
There are two types of safeguarding training in the Methodist Church- the Foundation Module, and the Advanced Modules. Here is more information about them both.
Foundation Module
The Creating Safer Spaces Foundation Module is an introduction to safeguarding in the Methodist Church. Whatever your role, it will help you understand safeguarding in Methodist Church communities and our collective responsibility for creating safer spaces for all.
This training takes two and a half hours and can be delivered in person, or online via Zoom. To do the training online, you will need a device with internet access, a microphone, and a speaker (such as a smartphone, or a laptop).
Everyone is required to re-do the highest level of safeguarding training that they have done every four years. However, as a region, we encourage everyone to renew their Foundation Module every four years, to stay up to date with the latest developments, and to help us to build better cultures of safeguarding.
When you do the training, you will be given a Handbook, which contains all of the information that you have learned, as well as a Workbook section, for you to record your own notes.
More information about the Foundation Module can be found here.
Click here to find out when the next Foundation Modules are happening in the region and how to sign up for them.
Advanced Modules
The Creating Safer Spaces Advanced Module builds on the learning of the Foundation Module and helps you to think about responding well.
This training can be done in person, or online, via self-paced e-learning, and Zoom. In-person training sessions take six hours and usually run between 10 am and 4 pm. Online training involves four to six hours of self-paced e-learning through an online program, as well as a two-hour zoom call, to discuss and consolidate your learning with others.
When you do the training, you will be given a Handbook, which contains all of the information that you have learned, and a Workbook section, where you can keep a log of your learning.
More information about the Advanced Module can be found here.
Click here to find out when the next Advanced Modules are happening in the region and how to sign up for them.
FAQs
You can check if your role requires you to complete the training here: Foundation Module | Advanced Module
If your role does not require you to complete the training, but you still feel it would be useful and would like to attend, you are very welcome to do so.
The Methodist Church and the Church of England have agreed that they will each recognise the other denomination's Foundation and Advanced (Leadership) Module Training as being equivalent to their own. This is the only training we are able to accept which means that if your training is with another organisation then yes, we ask you to complete it with us. The training has been specifically put together to reflect the roles and unique 'quirks' of the Methodist Church. If you have experience of safeguarding in other contexts, however, there is space during the course to share and discuss this so that the whole group can benefit from each other's experiences.
No – the Advanced Module builds on the material covered in the Foundation Module so it is important that, whatever your role, you attend the Foundation Module first. If you have done the Foundation Module, but it was longer than four years ago, you will need to complete a refresher course before doing the Advanced Module.
The short answer is every four years! If your role only requires you to do the Foundation Module, you need to re-do it every four years. If your role requires the Advanced Module, as well as the Foundation Module, you only need to redo the Advanced Module every four years. However, if you did your Foundation Module before 2019, we would warmly encourage you to re-do it before you re-do your Advanced Module, to make sure you are up to date on the most recent thinking about safeguarding in the Methodist Church.
We know everyone has had different life experiences, and so some people might find topics covered in the training difficult. Every training session will have a Chaplin, who will be there to chat with you during and after the session if there is anything that has come up for you that you would like to talk through. If you want any more specific details about what will be covered in the training, please get in touch with Rachel, the Assistant Regional Safeguarding Office, and she will be able to help.
We try our best to help to make the training accessible to everyone. Examples of things we can do to help you include providing printed materials in a larger font, making sure trainers use a microphone, asking the chaplain to check in with you during and/or after the session, and adding additional breaks for people. When you fill out the booking form, we ask everyone if they have any learning needs, so please let us know here if there are any adjustments we can make to help you learn better.
Please contact the Assistant Regional Safeguarding Officer, with any further questions or concerns you have about the Creating Safer Space training: neregsafe.office@gmail.com or 07903 710759.
Contact us
Darlington Methodist District Office
Elm Ridge Methodist Church
Carmel Road South
Darlington
DL3 8DJ