Professor Alexis Jay delivered a powerful keynote to the Church of Scotland Safeguarding Conference, urging Church members to learn from lessons of the past. The Child Protection Expert who is currently heading the investigation into Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales, told the conference about her inquiry into Child Abuse in Rotherham, which found that at least 1400 children were subjected to Child Sexual Exploitation between 1997 and 2013.

The conference brought together members of the Safeguarding Community including Safeguarding Trainers, Presbytery Contacts and for the first time, CrossReach Service Managers. In addition to the excellent input from both Professor Alexis Jay and Professor June Andrews, International Dementia Expert, participants valued having CrossReach staff input and hearing about the excellent work in our Social Care Council.

Participants took part in group discussions looking at key issues in Safeguarding across the Church. If anyone who was unable to attend would like a copy of the presentation slides please get in touch with Noelle Maye, Safeguarding Training Officer on nmaye@churchofscotland.org.uk

Let's make sure we are all singing from the same hymn sheet!

Do Safeguarding Panel Members need to be members of the PVG scheme? No. Being a member of a Safeguarding Panel does not involve regulated work. However, panel members may have PVG scheme membership for other voluntary roles in the Church involving regulated work.

Can a Minister be part of the Safeguarding Panel? Yes, a Minister is a suggested member of the Safeguarding Panel. Occasionaly the Minister may decide not to be part of the panel because it may compromise their pastoral care role.

Update for Training - (has been updated in Kirk Session Presentation on the Members Area)

The Scottish Government has updated us to say that the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 now makes it a criminal offence to knowingly employ any person working with children or protected adults, whether paid or unpaid if that person is disqualified from working with children or protected adults. Important: We must still emphasise the importance of ensuring individuals doing regulated work are members of the PVG scheme as this is the only way we are able to find out if they are barred/listed or not.

Karen Smith, Volunteer Safeguarding Trainer, Perth Presbytery

How long have you been a Safeguarding Volunteer Trainer?               

Since September 2014

Favourite aspect of the role?

I like meeting volunteers in their own church setting. As well as getting to know lots of interesting people it gives me a better understanding of their situation and the challenges they may be facing. And then there's cake!

........and the most challenging part?

Perth has a lot of rural churches and sometimes going out in the evening, after a day's work, when it's dark and cold can be very challenging. The welcome usually makes up for it, and I do feel appreciated.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

This is hard: I thought busy, committed and a bit scatty; but my husband thought: trustworthy, dependable and honest. Take your pick!

I couldn't live without....

Chocolate (and my husband's support)

Upcoming events

Safeguarding Roadshows

Lothian Presbytery, 25 March 2017

Wigtown and Stranraer and Dumfries and Kirkcudbright, 22 April 2017

If you would like to request a Safeguarding Roadshow in your presbytery please contact Noelle Maye on nmaye@churchofscotland.org.uk

Ministers Refresher Training

Inverness Presbytery, 7 February 2017

The Safeguarding Service provides Ministers Refresher Training - if you would like to hold Ministers Refresher Training in your presbytery please contact Noelle Maye on nmaye@churchofscotland.org.uk