SAFEGUARDING

Safeguarding Newsletter

Download our Safeguarding Newsletter – October 2025

UK Wide Safeguarding Training 2026

Download our UK Wide Safeguarding Training 2026

Make your booking by emailing: Emma.Pearce@urc.org.uk

All training listed below will take place via Zoom

First date	Event
Tuesday 13 January 7:00pm	Domestic abuse
Monday 26 January 7:00pm	Safeguarding for Pastoral Workers and Elders supporting survivors
Thursday 5 February 1:00pm	Refugees and Asylum Seekers Including Modern slavery
Tuesday 24 February 7:00pm	Elders as Trustees
Thursday 5 March 1:00pm	DDC Verifiers training and safer recruitment
Monday 23 March 1:00pm	Substance abuse
Tuesday 21 April 1:00pm	Online Safety
Wednesday 13 May 1:00pm	Safeguarding for Ministers supporting survivors
Tuesday 19 May 6:30pm	Spiritual abuse
Thursday 28 May 1:00pm	Adult safeguarding

Domestic Abuse	14th January 2025	1:30pm
Supporting Survivors	23rd January 2025	7pm
Modern Slavery	4th February 2025	7pm
Elders as Trustees	13th February 2025	1:30pm
Substance Abuse	4th March 2025	7pm
Refugees and Asylum Seekers	18th March 2025	1:30pm
Adult Safeguarding	27th March 2025	7pm
Spiritual Abuse	24th April 2025	1:30pm
Online Safety	13th May 2025	7pm
Domestic Abuse	3rd June 2025	1:30pm
Supporting Survivors	12th June 2025	10:30am
Modern Slavery	2nd July 2025	1pm
Elders as Trustees	10th July 2025	10:30pm
Substance Abuse	21st July 2025	1pm
Refugees and Asylum Seekers	9th September 2025	7:30pm
Adult Safeguarding	22nd September 2025	1pm
Spiritual Abuse	9th October 2025	1:30pm
Online Safety	17th November 2025	1pm

UNSAFE PLACES

Following the Makin Report into abuse in the Church of England,

a survivor of church-based abuse responds….

Download UNSAFE PLACES

DDC Verifier and Safer Recruitment Training 2025

Feb 6th 10.30am
May 8th 7pm
September 10th 1pm
November 20th 7pm

This two-hour training will be provided on Zoom by Matt Tuckey from DDC and Carrie Kaunda from the URC central safeguarding team. The training goes through the DDC system and will give you all the information needed for submitting DBS checks in your church as well as vital information for recruiting both paid staff and volunteers. If you are a verifier in your church or have any role in recruitment you need to attend this training. Please note all Church Safeguarding Coordinators are now verifiers.

Please email Emma.Pearce@urc.org.uk to book.

Download our leaflet at: DDC Verifier and Safer Recruitment Training 2025

There has been an increase in local churches seeking support on building and people safety and in response some guidance has been added to the URC website. Please feel free to share with your networks in local churches/synods.

Staying Safe in Church Buildings – United Reformed Church https://urc.org.uk/your-church/guidance-support-for-churches-synods/staying-safe-in-church-buildings/

Northern Synod believes that children, young people and adults have a right to live in a way that does not cause them harm or impede their human rights. We therefore acknowledge their right to protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs. We consider that, in accordance with legislation, the welfare of children and adults at risk is paramount. We will follow legislation, statutory guidance and recognised good practice. We believe that domestic abuse in all its forms is unacceptable and inconsistent with a Christian way of living. Safeguarding is taken seriously by Northern Synod.

MEET OUR SYNOD SAFEGUARDING OFFICER:

Helen Berg

Helen Berg
Email: helenberg.northern@urc.org.uk

Telephone: 07432886153

The Safeguarding Officer is available to provide guidance upon any safeguarding situation faced by the churches, as well as to offer information and advice about safeguarding matters in our synod.