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?

It’s not a test 🤷‍♂️

So sorry please forgive me I wrote test instead of training, how can I ever show my face again.

Because the safeguarding policy changed vastely in the recent years. Abuse changed, the way things are reported changed etc.

This is all true and relevant but as others have pointed out there are many adults in our society, young, old, and in the middle, who require safeguarding. The OP's attitude is very worrying and odd

@Cvoight there is a test at the end. You can resit until you get it right.

I can't actually believe the willful ignorance on the thread. But I'll play along...

If an organisation like the church takes on a volunteer to help serve refreshments, they are taking a certain amount of responsibility for that person. People going to the church should be able to have a reasonable level of confidence that it's a person who will act appropriately.

If you invite your friends round for coffee, that's a private affair between you and them.

It's really not that complicated.

The number of volunteers in Britain has plummeted.

I’ve owned restaurants etc and we have to do health and safety training but Jesus Christ getting the little old tea lady who’s doing a favour in the church to do training is ludicrous.
I wonder how many injury’s or deaths there’s been been throughout the years from the tea lady. Also most people working in places like Costa would have only been shown what to do by other staff.

I don't think you know what safeguarding is from the sounds of it @threatmatrix. It's not about health and safety.

@herewegoagainy and you're putting that down to the safeguarding training are you?

No, it is more complex. But the amount of training for short but regular volunteering does put people off.

Just do the training. It could be vital and you could prevent someone from harm.

I would echo PPs thoughts that those people probably aren't best suited for volunteering, especially on a regular basis.

@ludocris really! What do you expect from someone who makes tea and washes up?

Of course I do I’ve been in catering for 35 years. I used it as an example. Goodbye. I’ve put this on my Twitter page, so far I’ve got 50 likes and 45 comments none of which agrees with you. Goodnight sleep tight 😘

That they do the necessary training @herewegoagainy.

@threatmatrix oh no! Not twitter comments! 😮

Previsely, no wonder all these little things are disappearing. If I told our little old lady who bakes a few cakes and makes tea for us after chapel she had to go for training she’d run a mile.

@ludocris so tick box training that is the Op was being paid to do this in Costa would not be required.
Ridiculous to expect more from volunteers than paid staff.

It could show up over time, maybe someone who has always been appropriately dressed starts coming in in less than appropriate clothing for the weather, or more often wearing holey old clothes, , maybe she can't see well despite wearing glasses, and you find out that she no longer can afford an eye test, or new glasses, but you remember her talking a couple of years ago about how she had a pension from her late husband and could afford a holiday etc, you've heard her talking about her cleaner and how she does shopping for her and orders stuff for her on line.
Might be worth passing in a concern like that, might be innocent but might be the cleaner using her card or not giving her change

Are you worried you might learn something useful?
Safeguarding is about recognition of someone in trouble- The undernourished child or elderly person, the bruising only seen when only seen when they stretch Out for a biscuit...
Or sit & pray to yourself?

I’m afraid that’s why you need training.
elderly people may well have safeguarding problems that need spitting.

Trust me, 90 minutes basic safeguarding training does not cover these all so subtle signs everyone is supposed to look out for. It is very basic.

All OP needs to know is if she has any concerns, however small, talk to the safeguarding officer.
Someone asked if someone volunteering at the church would know who the safeguarding officer is. Churches have it on their website with contact details.

Anyway volunteers are made to do this pretty worthless training that does not address safeguarding in any meaningful way. And everyone can feel happy the safeguarding box has been ticked. Crazy world.

You hsve two choices. Do the training or stop serving coffee. Pick one.

@herewegoagainy tbh I do think people who work in hospitality should do it. The fact they don't necessarily have to is not a reason not to do it in a voluntary role involving vulnerable people.

Also, whether it's 'box ticking' (a phrase you love) is really down to the attitude of the trainee. If you view it as a ball-ache then you're not going to really give it your all.