Safeguarding and pastoral care
This focused two-and-a-half-hour training course is designed for those involved in pastoral care across faith, education, charity, and community settings. Whether supporting individuals in formal or informal roles, pastoral work requires a unique blend of care, awareness, and professional judgement. This course equips participants to provide support that is not only compassionate, but safe, consistent, and well-boundaried.
Creating environments that are both safe and brave requires a clear understanding of risk—for those receiving support and for those providing it. The course explores vulnerabilities within pastoral contexts, supporting participants to recognise where harm can occur and take practical steps to reduce risk. It considers the importance of managing boundaries safely, setting realistic expectations, and understanding the capacity and limitations of the pastoral carer.
Participants will explore how pastoral care operates across different contexts, including lone working, schools, faith-based settings, and partnership working with other organisations. The training examines how risk can be reduced within each of these environments, alongside the importance of clear communication, accountability, and shared safeguarding responsibility.
A key focus of the course is the role of power and position of trust within pastoral relationships. Participants will consider how to recognise and manage power safely, alongside exploring concepts such as psychological safety, gaslighting, and bypassing—ensuring that pastoral care does not unintentionally cause harm. The course also provides guidance on the policies, processes, and recording practices that support safe and transparent pastoral work, including when and how to make appropriate referrals.
Alongside this, the course highlights the importance of supporting the pastoral carer. Participants will explore the role of supervision, reflective practice, and organisational support in sustaining healthy pastoral care, ensuring that those providing support are themselves supported well.
Grounded in trauma-informed and person-centred approaches, and supported by real-world scenarios and reflective learning, this course equips participants to deliver pastoral care that is safe, thoughtful, and responsive to the needs of those they support.