Safeguarding for Clergy (A1) — Foundation for Ministry

What it is

A foundational safeguarding course for clergy formation and early ministry responsibility. Safeguarding is presented as an integral part of pastoral care, requiring disciplined boundaries, lawful accountability, and prevention-focused practice. The course establishes a shared safeguarding posture across ministry contexts.

Who it’s for

Clergy in formation, newly ordained clergy, and those entering or returning to ministry who require a clear, structured foundation in safeguarding expectations and practice.

How you will learn

Learning is competency-based and scenario-led, combining structured teaching with practical reflection. Understanding is consolidated through applied exercises and three final assessed case studies, completed at the end of the course and separate from module-level assessments.

Difficulty level

Intermediate (Foundation)

How long it will take

Approximately 20 to 40 hours, including the final case-study assessment. Most learners take about 32 hours to prepare, pray, work through the material, take notes, review any media, revise their notes, and complete quizzes and assessments. This course is self-paced, so the total time will vary from person to person.

Formation Hours and CPD/CEU (what this means)

We estimate this course at 32 Formation Hours (approximately 32 hours of structured learning).

Most learners should take about 32 hours to prepare, pray, work through the material, take notes, review any media, revise their notes, and complete quizzes and assessments. This course is self-paced, so the total time will vary from person to person.

Formation Hours are our way of describing the time you spend in organised study, reflection, and assessment as part of ministerial formation. In many settings, the same idea is described as CPD (Continuing Professional Development) or CEUs (Continuing Education Units). In church life you may also hear phrases like continuing formation, ongoing ministerial development, or in-service training.

Put simply: these are documented learning hours completed after you begin ministry (or during preparation for ministry), so you remain competent, accountable, and safe in your practice — especially in areas like safeguarding.

We are not an accredited CPD/CEU provider. However, some learners may still be able to log their Formation Hours with their church body, employer, or professional association where they require an annual development record. If you plan to record the hours, please check what your body accepts and what evidence they require.

On completion, you will receive a certificate with a unique verification number, which you can use as supporting evidence where a learning log is required.

Important safeguarding notice

Safeguarding training helps you recognise risks and respond well, but it does not replace supervision, vetting, or local safeguarding policies. Completing this course (and receiving a certificate) confirms participation and learning; it is not a guarantee of future conduct, nor a declaration of suitability for ministry.

Safeguarding law, mandatory reporting duties, and organisational procedures differ between countries, local jurisdictions, and church bodies, so you remain responsible for complying with the requirements that apply in your context, including any mandatory reporting duties and denominational or employer policies. This course provides general educational guidance and is not legal, medical, or therapeutic advice. If anyone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services and the appropriate safeguarding authority without delay.

Important Reminder

By accessing this course, you agree to our Terms & Conditions, including the “Learning and courses” and “Academic Integrity (Cheating & Plagiarism) Policy” sections.

Course Copyright Notice

All course content provided through the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission Learning platform (including text, lesson pages, handouts, downloads, quizzes, assessments, templates, audio, and video materials) is protected by copyright and remains the intellectual property of the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission (or its licensors), unless otherwise stated. No part of our course content may be copied, reproduced, republished, redistributed, sold, or shared (including by screenshotting, screen-recording, or uploading to other platforms) without prior written permission.

Some courses may include links to third-party content (for example YouTube videos, articles, documents, or other media) for reading or viewing as part of the learning. These third-party materials remain the copyright and responsibility of their respective owners. Where we link to such material, it is provided for educational purposes, and we do not claim ownership of it.