Spotlight on Safeguarding 2026-27

from Regional Officer for Safeguarding; Sarah Howell

Over the past couple of years we have offered a number of safeguarding regional officer drop-in sessions, providing opportunities to ask questions, discuss emerging issues and share good practice. Whilst these have been valuable for those who attended, attendance has generally been lower than we had hoped.

In response, I am introducing Spotlight on Safeguarding, a new programme of monthly online sessions which will focus on specific safeguarding topics that are relevant, practical and timely.

Each session will provide an opportunity to explore a particular area of safeguarding in more depth, share learning, discuss common challenges and consider good practice across our churches and circuits.

To make the sessions as accessible as possible, the format will be:

• A daytime session

• A repeat evening session

• 40 mins long

• An occasional ROS drop in session which will be daytime only

This will hopefully provide greater flexibility for those with different commitments and working patterns.

The sessions will be informal, practical and discussion-focused. Whether people are Church Safeguarding Officers, Circuit Safeguarding Officers, Ministers, safeguarding representatives or simply have an interest in safeguarding, they are very welcome to join.

I’d also welcome suggestions for topics. If there is a safeguarding issue, challenges or area of practice you would like to explore, please do let me know.

The first sessions have now been scheduled on Eventbrite, which is the system that will be used for signing up – ‘Santa’s Safeguarding Special’ as many churches have already commenced planning for the festive season.

Unlike the AM training, when you sign up you will receive an email ‘Order Confirmation’ which has the Zoom link when you scroll down and within the original order details.

I have attached a sheet of all proposed sessions, including links till the end of the year, then I’ll send the remaining links and details!  I have also attached posters for churches and other relevant spaces.

Click here to find out more

Including the Spotlight on Safeguarding Schedule, how to book and posters to put up in churches

Sarah Howell
Regional Officer for Safeguarding – South East (South East) | The Connexional Team 
Phone: +44 (0) 2038057076  | Mobile: 07958 915747