Parish Safeguarding

Newsletter

Winter 2025

Welcome to your newsletter for important information, details of training and more.

This initial edition has been sent to all PSOs and clergy in charge. Clergy will not receive further editions unless subscribed.

Please click here to subscribe to this newsletter

In This Edition

Meet the team – Get to know your dedicated safeguarding team.

Contact details – How to reach us when you need support or guidance.

PSO forum updates – Stay informed about the latest discussions and opportunities to connect.

DBS checks – Key information and updates on the DBS process.

Dashboard insights – Understanding and making the most of your safeguarding

dashboard.

Training updates – Current safeguarding training available to you.

A Big Thank You!

Thank you for all you do as a Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). You play a vital role in keeping our churches safe. We are especially grateful for the work you do to help ensure that safeguarding policies are properly followed, safer recruitment is adhered to, and training is completed in your parishes.

We know it is not always easy, and you often have to pick up things no one else wants to do. The role of PSO is challenging and often isolated and so, as well as wanting to thank you, we also want to do all we can to support you in this role. This newsletter is our first step towards providing that support, and you will find details in here of upcoming PSO forums that we are planning next year. If you need anything at any point, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

We are truly grateful for the dedication and care of PSOs. Safeguarding is a responsibility that we all share, and with your support we can continue to protect and nurture our church communities.

We wish you a very happy Christmas.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team

The Safeguarding Team

At the heart of the Diocese of Leeds is a deep and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of every child, young person, and vulnerable adult in our parishes and communities. The Safeguarding Team works hard to ensure that the diocese remains a safe and nurturing environment where all can flourish in faith and dignity.

Juliette Mclellan - Head of Safeguarding

Juliette Mclellan - Director of Safeguarding

Jenny Leccardi - Lead Safeguarding Trainer & Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

Narinder Lyon - Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

Siobhan McNarmara - Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

Margaret Mountain - Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

Margaret is currently on Maternity Leave

Samuel McMorland - Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

New Safeguarding Administrator - Zoe coming soon!

Contact Information

If someone is at immediate risk of harm, please call the police by dialling 999, followed by your local social care team.

You must then inform your Diocesan Safeguarding team.

Safeguarding Team contact details:

Email: safeguarding@leeds.anglican.org

Telephone Number: 0113 353 0257

National Safeguarding Team Update

We’d like to update you on recent national safeguarding updates.

There are no changes to safeguarding practice, and all current procedures remain in place. Guidance continues to be available through the Safeguarding e-manual and, for those who use it, the Safeguarding Dashboard, which includes helpful links and action notes. At the June meeting of the National Safeguarding Steering Group (NSSG), it was agreed that several outdated documents would be removed from the Church of England website to avoid confusion.

These include Protecting All God’s Children (2019), Promoting a Safe Church (2006), and the Parish Safeguarding Handbook (PSH), which is now known to be out of date and no longer accurately reflects current guidance or codes of practice. The removal of the PSH does not affect current safeguarding practice, as all up-to-date guidance is now found in the e-manual and the Safeguarding Codes of Practice. In place of the PSH, the National safeguarding team are developing a new Parish Safeguarding Toolkit, which will offer practical “how to” advice to support safeguarding work at parish level. This toolkit is being developed with input from church colleagues and is expected to be completed early 2026.

Finally, Promoting a Safer Church (2017) will remain available for now, as it outlines a broad commitment to safeguarding rather than specific practice guidance. A revised version is expected to be approved later this year.

PSO Forum

We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a yearly PSO Forum in each of our Episcopal areas.

These forums provides a valuable opportunity to:

Raise questions and/or concerns relating to safeguarding.
Share and overcome challenges.
Discuss best practice.
Strengthen our safeguarding culture through open communication.

Leeds

📍 St George’s Conference Centre, 60 Great George Street, Leeds, LS1 3DL.

🗓️ Saturday, 14 March 2026 - 🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Bradford

📍 Fountains Church, 1 Glydegate, BD5 0BQ

🗓️ Saturday, 25 April 2026 - 🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Wakefield

📍 Wakefield Cathedral, 8-10 Westmorland, WF1 1PJ

🗓️ Saturday, 9 May 2026 - 🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Huddersfield

📍 Huddersfield Parish Church – St Peter’s Place, Byram Street, HD1 1BU

🗓️ Saturday, 13 June 2026 -🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Ripon

📍 Holy Trinity Ripon, Kirkby Road, HG4 2EY

🗓️ Saturday, 18 July 2026 -🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Please click here or scan the QR code to book you space!

DBS Update - Change in Management

Please note - the administration of DBS checks is now managed by the Diocesan People Team. The Diocesan Safeguarding Team only intervene when a DBS check or Confidential Declaration Form is returned blemished.

DBS checks play a vital role in keeping children and vulnerable adults safe. These checks support safe recruitment, build trust, and help the church meet its legal and safeguarding responsibilities.

For all DBS enquiries, please contact:

Email:📧 DBS@leeds.anglican.org

Phone: 📞 0113 200 0540

For more information, please visit the Safe Recruitment & DBS page on the Diocese of Leeds website Safe Recruitment & DBS - Diocese of Leeds.

Dashboard

Does your parish have all its green ticks?

The Dashboard is a valuable tool designed to help ensure your parish is up to date with safeguarding best practices. We highly recommend using it - not only does it provide a clear checklist of actions to support a safer church environment, but it also demonstrates your parish’s knowledge of and commitment to safeguarding.

If you have any questions or need support, please contact: safeguarding@leeds.anglican.org

For further information about dashboards, please refer to: Safeguarding Dashboards

Training

E-learning

Your e-learning is provided by the national safeguarding training team. Please see a link to the eLearning portal here: Home | Safeguarding: Training Portal

-Basic awareness

-Foundation safeguarding

-Domestic violence

-Safe recruitment

Your highest level of training is required to be refreshed every 3 years. Best practice is to refresh all courses every 3 years.

If you have any enquiries regarding your online training please don't hesitate to contact elearning@mail.safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org or safeguardingtraining@leeds.anglican.org

Please note:

All Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs) must have up-to-date Leadership training, in addition to the 4 eLearning modules stated above. The Leadership course includes two Zoom sessions and requires both pre-course and post-course work.

All new PSO's MUST complete the PSO induction course.

Church House, 17-19 York Place, Leeds, LS1 2EX

0113 200 0540

Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily represent those of the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance

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