Safeguarding Training

URC West Midlands Synod safeguarding training schedule January–March 2026. The image lists safeguarding training options including Foundation level self-led online training, Foundation and Intermediate training via Zoom, combined Foundation and Intermediate sessions, Advanced safeguarding face-to-face training requiring a host church, a Church Safeguarding Coordinators Forum, and an Introduction to URC safeguarding course. Durations and eligibility notes are included for each option, with ‘New’ labels highlighting some offers. URC West Midlands Synod logo shown.
Focused workshops and training sessions are now available for churches in the West Midlands Synod. Some of these subject areas are also offered by the National team in online sessions (*see below). The aim of the WMS sessions is to deliver a tailored approach to offer support individual WM churches. • Elder Trustee & Safeguarding via zoom or in person - Understand elder trustee responsibilities for safeguarding and how to implement policy & good practice in your church. • Safeguarding for Community Projects in person – bespoke support to help you understand and implement good safeguarding practice for your church community projects. This includes projects and activities that are already established or in planning phase. • Pastoral visiting & adult safeguarding via zoom or in person – take a closer look at adult safeguarding in churches. An opportunity to discuss your churches approach to working with adults at risk. • Safeguarding Health Check - for churches who want to have a review of their current practice and get bespoke guidance and support • National Safeguarding additional sessions online* including Verifiers training, elders and more - see link in the grid below
able titled ‘URC West Midlands Synod Safeguarding training schedule Jan–March 2026’ with the United Reformed Church West Midlands Synod logo. The table has columns for Training, January, February, March, and Booking. It lists safeguarding courses including: Foundation online self-led (available anytime via We Are Learning Hub); Foundation level facilitated by SSO via Zoom (Tuesday 27 January, 6–7.30pm; other dates on request); Intermediate or combined safeguarding online via Zoom (Tuesday 10 February, 6–8pm and Tuesday 10 March, 6–8pm); availability for in-person training or consultations (Saturday 21 February and Saturday 28 March at 2.30pm); Advanced safeguarding face-to-face; Elders and safeguarding training (on request weekdays); CSC Forum online (Thursday 5 March, 6–7pm via Zoom, no booking needed); and ‘Introduction to URC Safeguarding’ for those with recent external training (online link provided). Booking is generally via synod, with some sessions requiring no booking.
Table titled ‘URC West Midlands Synod Safeguarding training schedule Jan–March 2026’. It lists safeguarding training options including: Pastoral visiting/adult safeguarding workshop (online via Zoom, on request, weekdays); Safeguarding in Community Projects workshop (in person, on request, weekdays or weekends); Safeguarding Health Check (Zoom or in person, on request, weekdays or weekends); and National URC training sessions and webinars with a clickable web link. United Reformed Church West Midlands Synod logo appears in the top right.</p>
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We are instigating a system of targeted communications for Church Safeguarding Coordinators, and DBS/PVG verifiers where we inform you directly on updates to policy and/or procedure. 

These will be sent out as and when an update occurs. 

The URC has updated two key documents for your attention:

 DBS/PVG Matrix

The  DBS/PVG matrix details clearly where a role needs a disclosure, at what level and who is responsible for instigating the check and keeping a record of it.  

England/Wales – Disclosure and Barring Service

Scotland – Disclosure Scotland/PVG

Due Diligence Checking are updating their role profiles to fit with the revised matrix.

 Safeguarding Training Matrix

The Safeguarding Training Matrix, which was agreed at General Assembly 2025, provides clarity around the levels of mandatory training required for various roles in each nation and each incudes a helpful diagram to assist you on your training pathway –  EnglandWalesScotland  

Can we take this opportunity to thank you for all you do to support the Church and promote a positive safeguarding culture within it!

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