Safeguarding for Clergy (M2) — Advanced Practice
What it is
An advanced safeguarding course for clergy in active pastoral leadership and oversight. It builds on Safeguarding for Clergy (A1) — Foundation for Ministry (which you must complete first) and extends safeguarding practice into complex scenarios, contested complaints, and leadership-level accountability. The course strengthens disciplined judgement, prevention planning, and the building of an ongoing safeguarding culture across ministry contexts.
Who it’s for
Ordained clergy with pastoral responsibility and decision-making authority, senior leaders with oversight duties, and those tasked with safeguarding governance, supervision, or management of sensitive information.
How you will learn
Learning is competency-based and scenario-led, combining structured teaching with practical reflection. Modules 7–10 each include case studies (added later). Understanding is consolidated through applied exercises and a final assessment, completed at the end of the course and separate from module-level assessments (added later).
Difficulty level
Advanced (Expert)
How long it will take
Approximately 35 to 45 hours, including module case studies and the final assessment. Most learners take about 40 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 70 Formation Hours (approximately 70 hours of structured learning).
Most learners should take about 70 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 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.
