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A reflection by Revd Ellie Launders-Brown
As a Christian and a veteran of the Royal Navy, Remembrance Sunday is always an important part of the calendar and will always hold a special place in my heart.
I have spent Remembrance Sunday, at sea, on land in both the UK and abroad, during conflict and at peace.
To stand alongside my serving comrades in remembrance of the sacrifice of all who gave their lives in the service of their country is quite a poignant moment and never fails to stir up many emotions.
As there are very few veterans remaining of the two world wars, it always felt important to me that all people of every nationality should stand together as a living memorial to the fallen in all conflicts.
Hearing the guns fall silent as a mark of respect, gives an insight into how that silence must have felt on 11/11/18, it is quite a deafening and spine-tingling silence to behold.
As I begin my ordained ministry, I feel that this living memorial is still important, but also that our act of remembrance should be a journey.
Yes, we should still look back and remember the sacrifice of others for a freedom that we are fortunate enough to enjoy today, but we should also learn from the past as we look to the present, and how our fellow human beings are still suffering oppression, discrimination, and abuse.
That living memorial we make on Remembrance Sunday is futile if we still allow the mistreatment and injustice that is around today.
I am always drawn at this time of Remembrance to the Words of Micah: ‘Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.’ (Micah 4:3-4).
My prayer as we enter the season of Remembrance is that if we can come together and unite with our fellow human beings, regardless of race, nationality, gender, sexuality, ability or disability, can we then look with hope towards a new future where we can accept and embrace our differences and live together as children of God in peace.
Ellie Launders-Brown was ordained a deacon in 2021 and is currently serving her curacy with East Scardsale Team Ministry.
She is also a veteran of the Royal Navy.
Christian Aid is asking people to join the global day of action on Saturday, 6 November, as people around the world take to the streets to march together for climate justice.
Many walks and marches are planned throughout the country, and for those who are unable or prefer not to join an organised event, there is the opportunity to join a virtual march, for which thousands have already registered.
The COP26 climate talks provide a unique opportunity for the nation to call on the UK Prime Minister and world leaders to take action that will end climate injustice.
Christian says our leaders must:
- increase financial support to the world’s poorest countries to confront the climate crisis take action
- limit global temperature rises to 1.5C
- take action to stop the expansion of fossil fuel energy and to support clean energy
Find out more on the Christian Aid website.
Parishes are being urged to mark the start of the COP26 climate change summit by ringing bells.
The plan is for church and cathedral bells to be peeled for 30 minutes at 6pm on Saturday, 30 October.
The idea of the mass bellringing was devised by Edward Gildea, the adventurer and environmentalist, who is a member of St Mary's church in Saffron Walden, Essex, as a vivid warning of the danger from the climate emergency.
He said: “Church bells would normally be used to call people to church on Sundays.
"But this time, they'll be ringing out a warning - a 'code-red for humanity' warning.'
Mr Gildea created a Facebook page to support the idea.
A post from him reads: "Wouldn't it be great if every church, chapel and cathedral bell around the world were to ring out its warning to humanity on the eve of COP 26?
"This website is for people of all faiths and none, who share a common concern for the future of humanity."
Bell ringers across the country are supporting the initiative.
Simon Linford, President of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, commented: “Bellringers understand how important the bells they ring are not only to the church but also to the local community.
“The sound of bells was missed during lockdown, and it is now being welcomed back as part of the nation’s soundscape.
“Many bellringers are planning to join in with “ring out for the climate’, lending their powerful voice in support of efforts to halt climate change.”
Where churches participate, a notification on social media or in newsletters can help make the local community aware of the significance of the bells.
Vigils
Meanwhile, Derby Cathedral, and other churches within the Diocese of Derby, are holding vigils.
The Dean of Derby, the Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson, will lead a prayer vigil at the cathedral on Saturday, 30th October, at 11am.
Dean Peter said: "This is such a pivotal moment. Carbon emissions and temperatures continue to rise, the biodiversity of the planet is decreasing and the very future of the human race is threatened.
"Now is the time to act and the faith communities across the globe have the capacity to act together and influence the outcome of COP26 for the better.
"Not only will be praying for radical change in policies and practice by all nations but we will be demonstrating our solidarity with the global poor who suffer disproportionately from the impact of global heating.
"Please do come and join us for this critical moment in history and let’s take action together!"
And Saint Michael's Kirk Langley will hold a vigil on Wednesday, 3 November at 7.30pm
Edward Gildea's video message to all churches in the country
This course is for anyone involved in the recruitment, selection and management of staff or volunteer within church communities.
E-Learning
Please navigate to the Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal to complete this course. It generally takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete.For assistance with the portal, please email the help desk at elearning@mail.safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org as this is managed nationally.
Please ensure that you list Derby as your Diocese, so we are notified of your completion of the course. If you do not indicate Derby, we will not be notified and your records will not be updated.
Please email safeguardingtraining@derby.anglican.org if you require any further assistance.
The Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse course is a specialist course exploring the nature and dynamics of domestic abuse, with a focus on church settings.
Some people can find the content of this course upsetting, and can lead to some people feeling retraumatised.There is support and information for those impacted by domestic abuse available here.
If you feel you may be affected by the contents of this course and would like to discuss an exemption, please contact Sue Griffin (sue.griffin@derby.anglican.org) our Victim and Survivor Lead, or, Lisa Marriott (lisa.marriott@derby.anglican.org) our Diocesan Safeguarding Officer for a confidential discussion.
E-Learning
Please navigate to the Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal to complete this course. It generally takes around 120 minutes to complete.For assistance with the portal, please email the help desk at elearning@mail.safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org as this is managed nationally.
Please ensure that you list Derby as your Diocese, so we are notified of your completion of the course. If you do not indicate Derby, we will not be notified and your records will not be updated.
Online via Zoom
This course will have pastoral support available for delegates.
Cohort 26/J1 - Tuesday 16th June - 7-9pm - Zoom - Book Here
Cohort 26/L1 - Wedensday 29th July - 7-9pm - Zoom - Book Here
In Person
This course will have pastoral support available for delegates.
Cohort 26/J2 - Tuesday 7th July - 12:30-14:30pm - Emmanuel Church, 31 Church Street, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 8LF - Book Here
Cohort 26/K1 - Thursday 9th July - 2-4pm - Tansley Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Tansley, Matlock. DE4 5FE - Book Here - 1 Space Remaining!
Please email safeguardingtraining@derby.anglican.org if you require any further assistance.
The Leadership Pathway is designed for those people who play a lead role in shaping the culture of the Church body in their context.
The Leadership Pathway can only be booked via the Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal and is only available to those who have already completed Basic & Foundation training.
When logged into the portal navigate to ‘Leadership’ and ‘Derby Diocese – Leadership’, You will be asked to enrol initially, and then once approved, you must book onto either a Zoom or In-person course.
There is both preparation work and an evaluation task required to successfully complete the Leadership Pathway. These are completed via the portal.
For assistance with the portal, please email the help desk at elearning@mail.safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org as this is managed nationally.
For any other queries please contact safeguardingtraining@derby.anglican.org
Our next available dates are listed below, please direct to the Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal to book;
Cohort L/23 - Thursday 9th July - 9.30-11am & 12-1.30pm - Tansley Holy Trinity Church 2 Portway Drive, Tansley, Matlock. DE4 5FE
Cohort L/24- Thursday 23rd & 30th July - 1-2.30pm - Zoom
Cohort L/25 - Thursday 23rd & 30th July 7-8.30pm - Zoom
The Foundation course is for those who hold responsibility for the safeguarding of others within church settings and activities. It can be completed by any member of the congregation, to support awareness raising and a culture of support and vigilance in the Church.
E-Learning
Please navigate to the Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal to complete this course. It generally takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete.For assistance with the portal, please email the help desk at elearning@mail.safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org as this is managed nationally.
Please ensure that you list Derby as your Diocese, so we are notified of your completion of the course. If you do not indicate Derby, we will not be notified and your records will not be updated.
In Parish
Parishes are able to deliver this in small groups using the online e-learning course. For advice on how this can be done please contact safeguardingtraining@derby.anglican.org
In Person
There are a limited number of Foundation sessions offered in person for those unable to access online sessions. We currently have the following sessions available for booking:
B&F/03 - Tuesday 7th July - 09:30-12:00pm - Emmanuel Church, 31 Church Street, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 8LF - Book Here
Please email safeguardingtraining@derby.anglican.org if you require any further assistance.
The Basic course is for everyone within Church communities who needs to have a basic awareness of safeguarding issues.
E-Learning
Please navigate to the Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal to complete this course. It generally takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete.For assistance with the portal, please email the help desk at elearning@mail.safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org as this is managed nationally.
Please ensure that you list Derby as your Diocese, so we are notified of your completion of the course. If you do not indicate Derby, we will not be notified and your records will not be updated.
In Parish
Parishes are able to deliver this in small groups using the online e-learning course. For advice on how this can be done please contact safeguardingtraining@derby.anglican.org
In Person
There are a limited number of Basic sessions offered in person for those unable to access online sessions. We currently have the following sessions available for booking:
B&F/03 - Tuesday 7th July - 09:30-12:00pm - Emmanuel Church, 31 Church Street, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 8LF - Book Here
Please email safeguardingtraining@derby.anglican.org if you require any further assistance.
An essential part of our commitment to promoting a safer Church is ensuring that everyone who works or volunteers within our churches feels supported in offering their time and is suitable for the role they undertake.
As part of this commitment, we carry out DBS checks to identify any relevant convictions through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). In the Diocese of Derby, DBS checks must be renewed every three years and are processed through our provider, ThirtyOne:Eight.
What is a DBS check?
A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is a background screening process used in England and Wales to review an individual's criminal record. More information can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about
Who needs a DBS check?
If you are unable to locate the information you require, we recommend speaking directly to ThirtyOne:Eight (ThirtyOne:Eight - Contact Us) as the DBS experts, they will be able to answer your query most effectively.
Who is responsible for monitoring my DBS and training compliance?
Please use the key below to identify who monitors your DBS and training compliance.
The PSO (Parish Safeguarding Officer) is responsible for my DBS and training compliance and I am a paid employee, what do I need to know?
Please speak with the person responsible for DBS processing within your parish, typically the Parish Safeguarding Officer or DBS Administrator, who will be able to guide you through the application process.
Once you have received your DBS certificate, should you wish to subscribe to the DBS Update Service, this costs £16 per year and is not covered by the Diocese.
The PSO (Parish Safeguarding Officer) is responsible for my DBS and training compliance and I am a volunteer, what do I need to know?
Please speak with the person responsible for DBS processing within your parish, typically the Parish Safeguarding Officer or DBS Administrator, who will be able to guide you through the application process.
Once you have received your DBS certificate, we recommend that volunteers register for the DBS Update Service. This must be done within 28 days of the certificate being issued and is free of charge.
Registering for the Update Service can help reduce administration for both the applicant and the organisation. Further information is available on the DBS Update Service – GOV.UK website.
The Diocese are responsible for my DBS and training compliance and I am new to post, what do I need to know?
Please see below step-by-step process. Alongside this you will also be invited to become a member of our Safeguarding Hub, which is the system we use to track DBS and Training compliance. The invite from this will come from admin@mail2.parishdashboards.org.uk.
- Email dbs@derby.anglican.org asking to start the DBS process, please include which role you are applying for/hold as we need this information.
- A member of the Diocesan team will send you the relevant confidential declaration form (CDF), Privacy Notice and ID check form.
- Fill out and sign the confidential declaration form (CDF)
- Read the Privacy Notice.
- Fill out the ID check form
- The ID check form and accompanying ID documents (eg passport, driving licence) need to be verified and signed by a trusted person. Ideally this should be the local Parish Safeguarding Officer. Where this is not possible, it is accepted for Clergy, Churchwardens or PCC Secretaries to sign. Please note, if this isn’t possible, please contact the Diocesan team on dbs@derby.anglican.org to discuss alternative options.
- Both the CDF and ID check form need to be sent to the Diocesan team for processing. This can be done by email to dbs@derby.anglican.org or via post to Church House, Derby, DE1 3DR.
- The Diocesan team will initiate the DBS renewal process through our provider Thirtyone:Eight.
- An email will be sent to the candidate from ThirtyOne:Eight. This includes a link which, when clicked, will ask you to enter recent address history etc.
- No further action required, await outcome from Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Applications can be tracked here; DBS Tracking Service
The DBS update service cannot be used for home-based roles which most covered under the Diocese are.
The Diocese are responsible for my DBS and training compliance and I need to renew my DBS, what do I need to know?
- You should have recevied a notification from the safeguarding hub that your DBS is due to expire in 3 months time.
- A member of the Diocesan team will send you the relevant confidential declaration form (CDF), Privacy Notice and ID check form.
- Fill out and sign the confidential declaration form (CDF)
- Read the Privacy Notice.
- Fill out the ID check form
- The ID check form and accompanying ID documents (eg passport, driving licence) need to be verified and signed by a trusted person. Ideally this should be the local Parish Safeguarding Officer. Where this is not possible, it is accepted for Clergy, Churchwardens or PCC Secretaries to sign. Please note, if this isn’t possible, please contact the Diocesan team on dbs@derby.anglican.org to discuss alternative options.
- Both the CDF and ID check form need to be sent to the Diocesan team for processing. This can be done by email to dbs@derby.anglican.org or via post to Church House, Derby, DE1 3DR.
- The Diocesan team will initiate the DBS renewal process using our provider Thirtyone:Eight.
- An email will be sent to the candidate from ThirtyOne:Eight. This includes a link which, when clicked, will ask you to enter recent address history etc.
- No further action required, await outcome from Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Applications can be tracked here; DBS Tracking Service
The DBS update service cannot be used for home-based roles which most covered under the Diocese are.
I am unsure about the cost of DBS' to Parishes
Parishes are responsible for the costs associated with DBS applications and related services. The charges below are set by our provider, ThirtyOne:Eight and may be subject to change.
- Enhanced DBS checks for VOLUNTEER parish staff - free
- Enhanced DBS checks for PAID parish staff - £55.10
- ALL Basic DBS checks - £27.10 (we recommend a CDF Lite instead, see section below)
- ALL Digital ID checks - £4.25
Additional Information
- Enhanced DBS checks are free of charge for volunteers.
- The DBS Update Service is free of charge for volunteers, where the original check was an Enhanced DBS.
- For paid staff, enrolment in the DBS Update Service can only be completed by the individual applicant. The current cost is £16 per year (set by the Disclosure and Barring Service), payable by card at the time of registration. This cost is not covered by the Diocese.
- Thirtyone:Eight invoices the Diocese monthly. The Diocese then recharges these costs to the relevant parishes each month.
CDF Lite
DBS Update Service
The Diocese of Derby cannot accept a DBS Update Service check:
- For anyone who holds a licence, including clergy, Readers, or those with Permission to Officiate (PTO).
- Where the original DBS certificate was issued outside of the Diocese (If you are transferring from another Diocese and are registered for the Update Service via them, please make contact with us directly to discuss)
- £16 per year for paid workers. Payment is made directly to the DBS by debit or credit card. The Diocese of Derby is not responsible for these costs.
- Free for volunteers.
Information can be found here; DBS Update Service - GOV.UK
The Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) must obtain a recent, completed Confidential Declaration Form (CDF).
- If any answers are positive, send a copy of the CDF to dbs@derby.anglican.org for review by the Diocesan Safeguarding Team before proceeding.
- If all answers are "No", the CDF should be retained securely by the parish in line with diocesan policy.
Complete the form linked here as you would for a standard DBS application.
You must see the original DBS certificate and record:
- The DBS certificate number (not the Update Service registration number), including any leading zeros
- Date of issue
- Surname, forenames and date of birth as shown on the certificate (if different from the details already recorded)
- Position applied for
- The wording shown in each of the five status boxes, for example "No Information", "Not Requested", or "Certificate Contains No Information"
Send the completed DBS Update Service Check Form to dbs@derby.anglican.org.
Please do not send copies of DBS certificates.
The Diocese will carry out the Update Service check and will either:
- Confirm a successful DBS check and the renewal date, or
- Advise that a new DBS application is required
If you have any questions, please contact dbs@derby.anglican.org.
I have an accessibility issue and/or am struggling with this process.
We are committed to making our processes accesible to all, please contact a member of the team (Safeguarding Team) who will be happy to discuss this with you.
