Date and venues:

31st October 2017 Trinity Plymouth URC Torr lane PL3 5NY (there is a small car park and parking on street)

22nd November 2017 Bridgwater Westfiled URC West Street Bridgwater TA6 7EU (there is parking nearby)

Time: 10 a.m. –4 p.m.

Outline of what the training is about

This will not be the usual sort of training day. It will enlighten, and challenge, you – in a good way! It is worth highlighting that the day can be emotionally challenging. The Geese Theatre will do a variety of drama productions, using masks, and there will be an opportunity to ask them questions both in, and out, of role.

It will assist all who attend to develop an understanding about how all members of a Church, including Ministers, can be groomed by those who harm children.

It will also enable you to gain a deeper understanding of the responsibilities that we all have in safeguarding children, particularly around the area of recruiting volunteers and paid staff, and how our own values, attitudes and experiences contribute to our approaches to safeguarding.

It will look at barriers to children reporting together with barriers that there might be to people in a church context reporting, acknowledging that whilst this needs to be done issues can be more complex in Churches.

Finally it will highlight the splits that can happen in teams when a safeguarding issue arises and how that might be managed.

Structure of the day

There will be a 15 minute tea/coffee break in the morning and afternoon with biscuits and cakes. Lunch is also provided.

Other essentials

Booking via Dinah Firmin at Synod Office

A grant has been obtained for these days so there will be no charge.

Places will be limited owing to size of venues so please book as soon as you know you are able

to attend