to not do Safeguarding training?

[Sausagenbacon]

I belong to a church, and occasionally serve coffee at the end of the service. I am being asked to take Safeguarding training, which I think is utterly pointless.
I have expressed this and been told that it's policy, and I have to do it.
AIBU to just stop doing coffee?

@DishSoap I know. But it is ironic that someone volunteering has to give their time for free to attend training that someone paid to do the same task is not required to complete.

Not at all, the training would help to highlight issues and signs which you may not be aware of and how to handle them professionally.

@Robinkitty I have done this basic training, it is common sense.

An opportunity for learning is never wasted. You might learn something that benefits not only someone at Church but a friend, a family member, a neighbour or even yourself…

By all means though chuck in the voluntary work if you can’t be arsed but you’ll probably find that if you want to volunteer again elsewhere the same conditions will apply.

Do you ever chat to the elderly people you are serving coffee to? You might be in a position to notice a safeguarding concern in something they say or how they present, which you may not spot without the training.

I would suggest it’s very relevant, given the history of abuse in religious settings. Being alert to the signs of abuse, particularly the more subtle ones, such as coercion and grooming behaviours is essential to prevent a closed door culture of ignorance and acceptance in any large organisation. Particularly one such as a church, where potentially vulnerable children and adults may go.

Agree 100% with this.

Sorry but you are being ridiculous, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and if you are representing the church in providing a safe and welcome space, you need to learn how to identify the many different types of abuse and what to do. Simply going to the safeguarding lead is not sufficient you must have an understanding on reporting concerns directly.

It may SEEM pointless, but if you knew your stuff, safeguarding is indeed EVERYONES responsibility now. Even those who serve the coffee.

Don't think that because you are in a church, stuff can't happen!

I would also add that as someone abused in church, by a church leader, had the other adults been more mindful around the kind old man who befriended young girls like me, perhaps they would have noticed a pattern because it was definitely there !!!!

This.

I am not sure why you are talking about "if you pass". Safeguarding training is about gaining knowledge / raising awareness. It isn't an exam to pass of fail - is that what is worrying you ?

You're spectacularly missing the point. It's not designed to ensure you're safe, it's designed to keep others (vulnerable people) you come into contact with safe by you being able to recognise the signs of abuse etc and knowing what to do.

@NewName24 you do have to pass. You get asked multiple choice questions in a test at the end.

Assuming it's the CofE one I've just done it. It didn't take too long, although you do have to answer the questions correctly. There was only one question which I had any doubts on, and that was because I thought it was fairly ambiguous.
It gives the basics without going OTT, so a reasonable course.

She knows what to do. She refers to a safeguarding officer.

It is either everyone's responsibility in which case everyone should do it, or it isnt.

"Are they making the men undergo safeguarding ? Do they serve coffee too?"

@Untethered of course any male volunteers would have to do it too.

"She knows what to do. She refers to a safeguarding officer.

It is either everyone's responsibility in which case everyone should do it, or it isnt."

@AlisonDonut you and a lot of other posters are assuming that any cases that need referring would be obvious. Safeguarding training teaches you about some of the more subtle signs.

What do you mean by your last sentence??

Is op returning or just letting us argue between ourselves

@ludocris if you are unsure you are supposed to refer to the safeguarding offficer. The training is basic.

Are the entire congregation expected to attend? If not, I wouldn't go either.

I know that. But it's very clear that some people on this thread don't even know the basics and could do with a bit of training...

You care enough about other people to give up your time to help serve them tea, so surely you care about reducing risk of harm to those people? Some elderly people are only seen by people like you from one week to the next, which could mean you're the only person placed to notice signs they may be at risk. Don't you want to learn what those signs are? Spotting them and taking action can spare people so much pain and misery.

@NewName24you do have to pass. You get asked multiple choice questions in a test at the end.

That very much depends on the training.
Last Church one I did (in person) didn't have that.
I have done on-line ones (different organisations) where there are assessments to check you have understood, but even then, hardly 'exam like' in that you 'fail' - they send you back to have another look at whatever it is you have misunderstood.

I can't see that the OP has been back to answer if it is an on-line or F2F, but, IME (in different organisations going back decades) the F2F ones don't usually have assessments - things come up in discussions during the course. The on-line ones do to make sure you have gone through everything rather than just logged on to pick up the certificate. The questions aren't usually difficult.

Well she should just do it then. What is the issue!? I imagine places have to put staff/volunteers who are in touch with vulnerable people through it. It has taken more effort to log into here and post about it than it would to just do the basic course.

@Sausagenbacon safeguarding isn’t pointless it’s to protect vulnerable adults and children from potential abuse. If you are helping the training would help you recognise a situation if someone said something to you that was a cause for concern and then what to do about it.
it’s actually a very valuable life skill. I work in adult social care safeguarding is extremely important to us.