Diocesan Office Resources: Safeguarding
SAFEGUARDING
** PLEASE REMEMBER – all NEW PVG Coordinators must receive the
approval of the Bishop before an appointment can commence **
Contacts
| Head of Safeguarding: Christine Riddoch Telephone: 07881 868 387 Email: christine.riddoch@scotland.anglican.org | |
| Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Balázs Czinege Telephone: 07885 799 623 Email: balazs.czinege@scotland.anglican.org | Safeguarding Support Officer: Rhiannon Morrison Telephone: 0131 243 1353 Email: pvg@scotland.anglican.org |
| Diocesan Protection Officer: Hannah Harcus Telephone: 0131 538 7044 Email: hharcus@dioceseofedinburgh.org | |
Links
Safeguarding Updates
Change of PVG Coordinator
Any change to a congregation’s PVG Coordinator must be processed through the Diocesan Protection Officer, currently Hannah Harcus. Information on the process can be found in the following document; however, it is best to contact the DPO early in the process. No one should be appointed as PVG Coordinator without the Bishop’s permission.
Provincial Resources
Link to SEC website Safeguarding pages – these contain all the resources for PVG Coordinators
Training
The Safeguarding Team have produced a mandatory Level 1 e-learning Safeguarding Awareness training Session for everyone undertaking a regulated role within the SEC. This will now form part of the SEC’s Safe Recruitment process.
From Monday 9 November 2026, when the Provincial Safeguarding Team receive a PVG application it will trigger the applicant being sent the relevant links to take the training on-line. Going forward we will not confirm a candidate’s PVG status until they have completed this training. This training is very much in the trial phase and we have worked with the systems available to us to produce it.
From early 2027 we will include those who have applied for PVGs before November 2026 and eventually hope to be able to role it out to everyone whether they are in a regulated role or not.
You can view the training at the first two links below:
SEC Safeguarding Awareness – Level 1
SEC Safeguarding Awareness – Level – Knowledge check
Guidance for online youth work
Diocese Resources and Training
All clergy and lay readers wishing to minister in the Diocese of Edinburgh must participate in Safeguarding Training alongside having a clear PVG.
We are offering the following training dates, supported by our Provincial Head of Safeguarding, Christine Riddoch, and her Deputy, Balázs Czinege:
IN-PERSON SESSIONS:
General Synod Office, Ground Floor West, 40 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8JB
- Tuesday 17 November, 10am–12pm
- Tuesday 17 November, 1pm–3pm
- Thursday 19 November, 10am–12pm
- Thursday 19 November, 1pm–3pm
St Peter’s, Galashiels
- Tuesday 19 January 2027, 11am–3pm
Please contact Hannah Harcus on hharcus@dioceseofedinburgh.org to register for your preferred session. In-person training will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Church of England Safeguarding Portal Click Here
Contacts
| Head of Safeguarding: Christine Riddoch Telephone: 07881 868 387 Email: christine.riddoch@scotland.anglican.org | |
| Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Balázs Czinege Telephone: 07885 799 623 Email: balazs.czinege@scotland.anglican.org | Safeguarding Support Officer: Rhiannon Morrison Telephone: 0131 243 1353 Email: pvg@scotland.anglican.org |
| Diocesan Protection Officer: Hannah Harcus Telephone: 0131 538 7044 Email: hharcus@dioceseofedinburgh.org | |
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