Protecting your organisation and community from sexual harm

Specialised training course for Churches, Sports Clubs, the NHS and The Military

We appreciate that professional and community groups will encounter people convicted of causing sexual harm and will want to not only be vigilant to prevent anyone in their community becoming a victim, but also to understand and how to work with anyone who discloses they are convicted of an offence, or are concerned they may commit sexual harm, either contact or online.

Knowing how to respond to anyone who is a victim of sexual harm or has concerns is also an important skill and doing this safely and legally is important to protect everyone involved.

This course will be tailored to suit the individual organisation, however example material is detailed below.

Course Content Options

Understanding Sexual Harm and Offending Behaviour

Overview of sexual harm and common misconceptions
Types of offending behaviours and their impact on communities
Identifying risk factors and early warning signs

Safeguarding and Duty of Care Responsibilities

Legal and ethical obligations for safeguarding in churches, sports clubs, military, and healthcare settings
Assessing Risk and Implementing Prevention Strategies
Risk assessment tools and methods for identifying potential harm
Strategies to mitigate risks in community spaces, events, and daily operations
Case studies of successful risk management strategies

Creating a Safe Environment and Culture

Fostering an environment of openness and respect within each community
Empowering community members to recognise and report inappropriate behaviour
Educating staff and volunteers on safeguarding best practices

Responding to Disclosures and Concerns

Best practices for responding to disclosures of sexual harm sensitively and effectively
Supporting victims and understanding the resources available for them
Managing confidentiality, transparency, and legal obligations

Working with people who have sexually harmed in Community Settings

Guidelines for managing people who have sexually harmed who may be present within the community (e.g. patients, parishioners or employees)
Establishing boundaries and monitoring behaviour in public or communal spaces
Developing rehabilitation and support strategies with clear safeguards

Partnerships with External Agencies

Policies and procedures for identifying and reporting concerns
Effective record-keeping and documentation
Working with police, social services, probation, and other agencies
The role of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA)
Knowing when and how to escalate concerns

Wellbeing

Wellbeing and Self-Care for Community Leaders and Practitioners
Supporting emotional and mental wellbeing for those involved in safeguarding
Self-care practices for resilience and managing stress
Accessing support, supervision, and counselling services when needed

For more information on how we could best deliver this training to your organisation please contact Circles South East on: 01235 816050 or email info@circlessoutheast.org.uk