I have been asked to complete 2 separate refresher safeguarding courses this month.  A bit annoying because the requests came on the same day and I am already booked on a third such course via the Local Authority for my volunteer role as a school governor. It would be useful if there was a generic version that could be completed, but although there is a great deal of over-lap, there are also some not so surprising differences in emphases.  Of the two that I have completed so far, their slants reflect the ethos and purposes of the organisations that demand them.  Hence the RSPB seems to think that I have a duty to make sure that everyone has not only a safe, but also an enjoyable experience when I interact with them during a visit to a reserve. I find this excessive because it might be pouring with rain, they could have a leak in their wellies and have dropped their phone in a deep puddle.  They might be hating every moment, but that is not a safeguarding issue. Whereas, the Church of England is more concerned about the quality of the relationships that exist between members and of expressing one's faith through action, which includes looking out for each other and protecting the vulnerable from any harm.  

The latter refresher course has some very useful pointers as to why, however well-meaning we may be, there is often a tendency to avoid expressing our concerns if there is a lack of clear evidence. This is not because we are bad people or because we want to cover something up.  Our inaction when something feels not quite right can be put down to an unwillingness to make a scene, to falsely accuse or to risk making ourselves look ridiculous by reporting something trivial.  Just because someone is eccentric, we argue to ourselves, that does not make them dangerous.  No-one has complained, there is no evidence of wrongdoing;  it just sits awkwardly but I won't say anything.  But that is not our call to make.  We should pass any concerns we have on to the designated safeguarding officer and let them investigate as to whether there is indeed a problem or not. It may be that someone is just a bit odd and there is nothing to worry about, or it may be that our silence is enabling someone to harm others.

The course has a few interesting scenarios to consider, including a useful bellringing one, which involves a popular ringer who enjoys teaching young people but seems over-friendly with them. Should one seek advice from the safeguarding team or leave it until there is more evidence?

I know that there has been debate recently about requiring all ringers to complete the CofE safeguarding  basic  awareness  training course.  Some people feel that it is an excessive demand on them  but I would urge you all to have a look, whether  you are required to or not.  I recently found myself on a train journey with a spare hour, an i-pad and a good WiFi connection so completed it.  I found it useful and it made me think about the way that I interact with others. The section on forgiveness was particularly thought provoking – yes, we are called on to forgive others and to grant abusers the opportunity to repent their behaviour, but that does not mean that we should allow someone who has been deemed a danger to others to ever be in a position where they  might be tempted to repeat their behaviour.