Safeguarding Officer

Safeguarding Officer’s Report 2023

A few years ago, the House of Bishops review of the Church of England’s safeguarding practices resulted in a safeguarding framework, Promoting a Safer Church 2017. The responsibility for implementing safeguarding practices lies initially with the Diocesan Safeguarding Board and locally with the Safeguarding Officers in individual parishes. The role of the Association Safeguarding Officer is advisory.

I have responded to two requests for advice during the year.

As bellringers, we are fortunate to have access to free safeguarding training provided by the Church of England. There are three levels of training – Basic, Foundation and Leadership. Basic and Foundation training is online. Leadership training is either face to face or via Zoom or equivalent. The expectation is that Tower Captains and those who teach bellringing, should complete the Basic and Foundation levels of training. Tower Captains may also wish to complete the Leadership module. There is also the expectation that all ringers complete the Basic level of training, but in practice not all Parish Safeguarding Officers are requiring this. Even if the Basic level of safeguarding training is not required in a particular parish, I would recommend all ringers undertake the training. Not only might the knowledge acquired become useful in a yet unanticipated bellringing context, but it might also be useful in a ringer’s wider life. Training needs to be updated every three years by completing the course again. If you have completed more than one level of training, you need only update the highest level of training. Completing the Basic training as a group is perfectly acceptable. Only the person who has logged onto the training will get a printed certificate so make a note of the date, level of training and who attended and pass this to your Parish Safeguarding Officer.

Two points of note for this year are:

More information can be found on the Diocesan website: https://www.elydiocese.org/safeguarding.php and the Association website: https://www.elyda.org.uk/association/safeguarding

I have reviewed the Associations Safeguarding documentation.

I attended all four District Annual General Meetings in January 2024 and gave a Safeguarding update.

Shirley Warbrick

Safeguarding Officer’s Report 2022

Over the past year, I’ve responded to four queries. The documentation on the website will be reviewed before the AGM in May. If anyone has any queries or would like support, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Shirley Warbrick


Safeguarding Report (Child Protection) 2020

The post of Safeguarding Officer is vacant this year, so there is no formal report.

The General Committee of the Ely DA has clarified the position on safeguarding training for tower captains, ringing teachers, and other Ely DA members who deal with minors and vulnerable adults. The overall responsibility for safeguarding rests with the PCC of the church where ringing or instruction is taking place, and their advice should be sought and complied with. Responsibility on an outing likewise rests with the PCC of the tower being visited. The diocese offers general safeguarding training in three modules, C0 and C1 (both available online), and C2 (a two-hour taught class). The Ely DA advises that it is good practice for tower captains and other members to complete these modules, especially if they deal with minors or vulnerable adults.

Safeguarding Report (Child Protection) 2019

The post of Safeguarding Officer is vacant this year, so there is no formal report.

The General Committee of the Ely DA has clarified the position on safeguarding training for tower captains, ringing teachers, and other Ely DA members who deal with minors and vulnerable adults. The overall responsibility for safeguarding rests with the PCC of the church where ringing or instruction is taking place, and their advice should be sought and complied with. Responsibility on an outing likewise rests with the PCC of the tower being visited. The diocese offers general safeguarding training in three modules, C0 and C1 (both available online), and C2 (a two-hour taught class). The Ely DA advises that it is good practice for tower captains and other members to complete these modules, especially if they deal with minors or vulnerable adults.

Safeguarding Report (Child Protection) 2018

The post of Safeguarding Officer is vacant this year, so there is no formal report.

The General Committee of the Ely DA has clarified the position on safeguarding training for tower captains, ringing teachers, and other Ely DA members who deal with minors and vulnerable adults. The overall responsibility for safeguarding rests with the PCC of the church where ringing or instruction is taking place, and their advice should be sought and complied with. Responsibility on an outing likewise rests with the PCC of the tower being visited. The diocese offers general safeguarding training in three modules, C0 and C1 (both available online), and C2 (a two-hour taught class). The Ely DA advises that it is good practice for tower captains and other members to complete these modules, especially if they deal with minors or vulnerable adults.

Safeguarding Report (Child Protection) 2017

PCCs throughout the diocese should now be working to new National Church Guidelines for Safeguarding which were published by the Diocese during 2017.

PCCs have the legal responsibility for all activities taking place on their premises and they are now also responsible for appointing/approving leaders of those activities. The guidelines require that all leaders of any church group, including tower captains and ringing trainers should be “safely recruited” by means of having a DBS check. (Disclosure and Barring Service) and be given safeguarding training which is appropriate to their role. The training requirements for tower captains (according to the guidelines) are Level C0 and Level C2.

Many tower captains throughout the diocese already hold a DBS certificate. It is a straight forward process to obtain one and if a certificate is required your PCC safeguarding officer will contact you. Although rank and file ringers will not be required to be DBS checked it is recommended that all ringers do Level C0 training (basic awareness), which takes about an hour and is available online. C0 is a pre-requisite for all further training modules. (The link for C0 training is https://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/)

During 2017 I received six written enquiries about safeguarding, some about specific incidents, and others of a more general nature regarding the new guidelines. I have had many informal conversations with ringing members and have talked on the subject at Association meetings. 

I have reviewed the Association safeguarding policy and procedures and those for the Ringing Education Centre to reflect the most recent information received from the Diocese. Details can be found on the Association website and I encourage all ringers to be aware of the importance of safeguarding, build good relationships with PCCs and work closely with them. 

I am retiring as the Association Safeguarding Officer at the 2018 AGM but will be happy to assist my successor in the short term as the new guidelines are implemented throughout the parishes.

Phillip George

Safeguarding Report (Child Protection) 2016

I am pleased to report that I continue to receive enquiries from ringers about safeguarding and child protection, and thank everyone for your input on this important subject.

During 2016 I announced to members that the National Church has introduced new child protection and safeguarding procedures which will be rolled out by each diocese during 2017. One major change is the requirement for tower captains to attend safeguarding training. At the time of writing, the details and timescales are not known but it is expected that ringers will be advised in due course by their local parish church safeguarding co-ordinator or PCC. 

I have amended the Association safeguarding policy and procedures to reflect the most recent information received from the Diocese. The relevant documents can be found on the Association website. Further amendments may be required.

The relationship between ringers and parish church is vitally important and there can sometimes be gaps in our understanding of one another. I hope that together we can build on the work we do for all our stakeholders, and continue to communicate effectively with church authorities for our mutual benefit. I will continue to represent ringers as best I can to maintain close links between ourselves and the Diocese. 

Do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss any safeguarding issues, as I am always pleased to help.

Phillip George

Safeguarding Report (Child Protection) 2015

The Association policy, procedures and related documentation were reviewed in November 2015. No changes were necessary at that time.

In April I held a safeguarding presentation in Oakington church hall which was attended by 25 ringers from across the Association. The presentation broadly followed the Diocesan Guidelines in safeguarding, being an introduction defining types of abuse, the national picture, the vulnerability of the church, managing risks and an explanation as to why DBS checks are necessary in certain circumstances. 

As usual in any 12-month period, I have received several enquiries from individuals and parishes, one of which involved me attending a parish ringers’ meeting. I have also worked with Barbara Le Gallez helping to set up procedures for the Recruitment and Education Centre(s). 

Occasional revelations of child abuse incidents in the media, including ringing publications, are a cause for concern and I encourage everyone to be aware of your own parish and the Association safeguarding policies and procedures to help protect vulnerable people. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, or would like to discuss any safeguarding issues.

Phillip George 

Safeguarding Report (Child Protection) 2014

The Association policy, procedures and related documentation were reviewed in November 2014. No changes were necessary at that time.

In March I attended a safeguarding workshop in Ely. This is an annual refresher training when there is an opportunity to meet with other parish safeguarding coordinators and parish priests. I am usually called upon at these meetings to give a bell ringers’ perspective on some aspects of safeguarding, which I hope raises our profile amongst the other delegates. 

During the year I received several enquiries from ringers or other parish representatives. Topics included: DBS checks for tower captains, safeguarding considerations for visiting ringers, transferability of DBS certificates, the development of the Young Ringers’ website, and the safeguarding requirements of attendance at the National Young Ringers Striking Competition. 

New DBS certificates can be registered with the Updating Service (within 19 days of the date on the certificate). In some circumstances this can help make the certificates transferable to other organisations. The website page is at https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.

Ringers need to be continuously aware of safeguarding issues and I would ask that you do not hesitate to contact me if you need any assistance with procedures or administration.

Phillip George 

Safeguarding Report (Child Protection) 2013

The Association policy and related documentation were reviewed and amended in October 2013. CRB checks are now known as DBS checks due to the merging of The Criminal Records Bureau and Independent Safeguarding Authority to become the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

I attended a refresher workshop at Ely for stage 2 safeguarding, and also met with the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer to discuss the DBS certification of ringing members. It is not a requirement that our members are certified in order to carry out work on behalf of the Association, but the formal introduction of monthly practices for young ringers increases exposure to safeguarding issues and the leaders involved have now been DBS certified as Association Bell Ringing Trainers. The documentation is managed through me via the Diocese.

Recommendations from the Diocese on the taking and use of photographs has been included in our policies. All webmasters of Association websites have now included a statement pointing out that appropriate permission must be obtained before publication of photographs which include images of children.

During the year I have received enquiries from and been able to help two towers within the Association regarding safeguarding procedures. 

I thank the webmasters for their co-operation in helping to highlight the new procedures. All relevant documentation can be found on the Association website and I will always be pleased to help with any enquiries.

Phillip George

Safeguarding Report (Child Protection) 2012

In December 2012 changes in the safeguarding legislation meant that all those who help with teaching and training under the direct supervision of an authorised CRB checked trainer are legally exempt from CRB checks. As a result of this I have reviewed the Association Policy and made relevant changes. These amendments have been brought to the attention of members via the District Secretaries.

I have attended two Safeguarding Co-ordinators' meetings arranged by the Diocese. These take the form of workshops when there are opportunities to share ideas and consider case studies. I would urge all tower captains / trainers to be aware of your own church safeguarding procedures.

I have not received any enquiries from members about safeguarding during 2012 but I was approached by the Association of Ringing Teachers and helped with developing their safeguarding policy.

Details of the Association policy are on the website and I will always be pleased to help with any enquiries.

Phillip George