Parish Safeguarding Officers

Parish Safeguarding Officer Role

The Parish Safeguarding Officer is responsible for ensuring the coordination of any concerns about a child, young person or vulnerable adult, or the behaviour of an adult working with vulnerable groups. Their role is to ensure that these are appropriately reported both to the statutory agencies and to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. They should attend the PCC at least twice a year and work with them to ensure the proper implementation of the safeguarding policy. A template role description is found here.

 I'm a new Parish Safeguarding Officer, where do I start?

STEP 1 Recruitment

• A PSO should be safely recruited, and the appointment agreed by the PCC.

STEP 2 Local induction

• Meet with your incumbent and, if possible, the previous PSO to discuss any current safeguarding matters / individuals of concern within the church.

• Find out what process is in place for recording safeguarding data in your parish.

• Read your local Parish policies, code of conduct for volunteers.

STEP 3 Administration

• Ask your Parish CMS updater to add your details to CMS.

• If you will be involved in DBS ID checking you should request to be set up as a lead recruiter, details of the form to complete and send to Diocese HR department are found here.

• Sign up for your Parish Safeguarding Dashboard - email request to safeguarding@chester.anglican.org

  
  

  STEP 4 Training

• Complete your online training: Basic / Foundation / Awareness of Domestic Abuse and Safer Recruitment via the Church of England’s Safeguarding Portal.

• Book onto and attend Safeguarding Leadership Training more details found here

• Sign up for Parish Safeguarding Officers Induction training course (held termly)

  
  

  STEP 5 Support

• Attend our termly PSO Network meetings (dates and details below).

• Make a note of our contact details and don't forget, the Safeguarding Team is here to support you.

• Meet on a regular basis with your incumbent.

  
  

Parish Safeguarding Officer Network meetings and Drop-in sessions

The events provide:

• A termly opportunity to meet and share with PSOs from other Parishes.

• Information about developments in safeguarding in the Diocese, inc. Dashboards.

• A forum to provide feedback regarding your concerns, challenges and the support you need as a PSO.

ANNUAL WORKSHOP AND SAFEGUARDING SERVICE

Tuesday, June 23 2026 •  5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Speak out about domestic abuse workshop:

5.30pm - 6.45pm PSO WORKSHOP - Speak out - about domestic abuse.

Arrival, welcome, presentation and light refreshments. PLEASE SIGN UP FOR THE WORKSHOP VIA EVENTBRITE here

7pm - 7.45pm Safeguarding Service: led by the Bishop of Chester, Bishop of Birkenhead, Bishop of Stockport and Dean of the Cathedral in the Cathedral Nave (all welcome)

7.45pm - 8.45pm Informal networking opportunity with refreshments in the South transept (all welcome)

Upcoming dates and locations 

• Summer term 2026 TBC 12 noon til 1pm, Online Drop in by zoom

• Summer term 2026 TBC at Holy Trinity, 197A Hurdsfield Road, Hurdsfield SK10 2PX (held in community hub next to church building)

• Summer term 2026 TBC at Church House, 5500 Daresbury Park, Warrington WA4 4GE

• Summer term 2026 TBC Upton St Marys 2 Church Road, Upton, Wirral, CH49 6JZ

• Summer term 2026 TBC 7-9pm at St Luke's Church, Chester Road, Huntington CH3, 6BT

• Summer term 2026 TBC 7 - 9pm at St Mary’s, Nantwich CW5 5NU

• Summer term 2026 TBC 7-9pm at Romiley Life Centre, 3 Stockport Road, Romiley, Stockport SK6 4BN

  
  

If you wish to attend, you can book online via EventBrite here.

Any questions, please email: safeguarding@chester.anglican.org