Safeguarding for Churches Made Easier with Personalised Training
Is your church and Ministry Area prioritising safeguarding?
We are committed making our diocese a safe environment where all people are able to worship, work and volunteer in safety. That is why it is vital that every Ministry Area knows that their clergy and volunteers are safeguarding compliant. This is where My Church People can help.
What is My Church People?
Safeguarding for churches is made easier with My Church People - a system used to organise and display DBS and safeguarding information.
My Church People is a website that allows the Ministry Area Leaders, Ministry Area safeguarding co-ordinators, safeguarding officer(s) to have an oversight of all aspects of safeguarding that a Ministry Area needs to enable the efficient and effective delivery of safeguarding commitments. With a database of volunteers, employees and office holders, My Church People provides information on the role they undertake in church life, where they are in terms of DBS checks and training related issues.
By having all the data in people records stored in one place and organised per church/Ministry Area, it is easy to keep on top of DBS and training renewals.
My Church People will process and store DBS applications and returned DBS certificates. To assist in the process of starting a check, you will find DBS flowcharts which guide which roles might need a DBS check. Not all roles will need a DBS check.
My Church People training
Every Ministry Area needs to ensure safeguarding a priority. We are providing one-to-one coaching and on-going support for My Church People users.
Matthew Ankin is the My Church People Project Support Officer for the Church in Wales. He joined the Representative Body in February 2023 to guide people on how to use the My Church People system and to get them up to a point where they feel comfortable in doing it by themselves.
Matthew is inviting all Ministry Area Leaders and their safeguarding officers (or office staff who will be maintaining My Church People for the Ministry Area) to join him online for one-to-one tutorials on using the website which will last about 60 to 90 minutes. You will need to be:
- At your computer.
- Logged into My Church People.
- And if available, have a list of your people and what roles they complete.
Matthew’s approach is to be friendly, supporting and flexible on how he delivers the My Church People training. His only goal is to get each Ministry Area to a point where they can manage their data. Matthew says, “I have been meeting with people for one-to-one coaching sessions, which take place online and last for around 60 to 90 minutes. I ask people to login into My Church People and share their screen with me. It’s really important that you are using your computer when we meet so that I can offer you the best coaching. Coaching is open to all, whether you’re a new user or have been using it for some time. You are all are welcome to contact me!"
Matthew's only goal is to enable each Ministry Area to manage their own data.
“Some people will know My Church People, and some might have no idea what My Church People is. So, my view is to work with everyone at their own pace. Even if they still feel they struggle a little bit after the first 90 minutes then we can do another session. The end goal ideally is that they come back and we do more together until they feel confident.
"Once they have gotten to grips with My Church People they can contact me if they have any queries.”
As My Church People is used by the Representative Body of the Church in Wales and integrated with its Infonet, Matthew is able to troubleshoot any issues from his end of the system and is always happy to provide practical support or reminder training sessions.
My Church People GDPR compliant and displays data for each church in each MA. To get the best out of My Church People, you will need to know three things:
- Who your people are in each church?
- What their roles are and
- Whether they require a DBS check and what level of enhancement and barring that check needs to be.
My Church People is a great visual aid for training renewals and DBS renewals and Matthew can talk you through the indicators when you meet.
Book your training
Contact Matthew to book your session by emailing – mychurchpeople@cinw.org.uk