We know that many Young Leaders will be involved in supporting activities with children and vulnerable adults across the diocese. It is vital that they are not only equipped to undertake their roles safely, following good safeguarding practice, but that they are also able to identify potential signs of abuse or neglect and know how to respond to safeguarding concerns with the support of their team. To assist them in this, Young Leaders (aged 16 & 17) will now be expected to complete the Basic Awareness pathway (online module) through the Safeguarding Training Portal. This should be completed by the Young Leader when there is an adult available at home who they can talk to if they have been impacted by any of the training content.
A guidance document: Safeguarding Induction – Young Leaders has also been created for adult leaders, who will be supervising young leaders (aged 16 & 17) when they are undertaking their roles. The guidance and scenarios should be discussed as part of the young leader’s induction and provides an opportunity to explore some of the safeguarding situations which the Young Leader may come across, how they should respond and what support they have from other team members.