A Safe Space

One person at every unit meeting must have a Level 3 A Safe Space and all other volunteers must hold the level of A Safe Space relevant to their role. Find out more about A Safe Space on the national website.
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What is A Safe Space?

A Safe Space is Girlguiding's own safeguarding training course.

The training helps you to create an environment where girls can be safe and have fun. The training will help you:
  • Understand your role in safeguarding and what to do
  • Recognise potential safeguarding issues
  • Understand our safety and safeguarding policies
  • Discuss with other volunteer what to do
  • Answer your questions

There are four levels of training. All volunteers need to undertake A Safe Space training relevant to their role. For example, if your role requires up to Level 3 then you will need to complete Levels 1, 2 and 3.

What level of A Safe Space do I need?

​Check which level of A Safe Space you need for you role. If you have more than one role then you will need to hold the highest level relevant to the roles.
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For example if you are a Leader needing Levels 1 & 2 only but are also a District Commissioner requiring Levels 1-4 then you will need to hold the highest relevant level, which is Level 4, plus all the lower levels.

The Levels

A Safe Space, Level 1 - An introduction

For all volunteers including occasional helpers, GO coordinators, home contacts, peer educators and young leaders.

People visiting units more than once should be asked to complete the Level 1 A Safe Space training. As we cannot log or enforce this training until someone is a registered volunteer on GO there is no need to ask for proof of completion. 
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People visiting a unit once do not need to be asked to complete the Level 1 A Safe Space training but if returning,  please do ensure they are aware of the importance of understanding and implementing our safeguarding practice.

A Safe Space, Level 2 - Creating a safe space

For leaders, assistant leaders, unit helpers, leaders in training, young leaders, peer educators, those attending residential events and those that need level 3 and 4.

A Safe Space, Level 3 - Recognising, telling and taking action

For anyone leading a team of adults, at least one leader per unit (leader, assistant leader, leader in training) however it is strongly recommended that all leaders complete level 3; mentors, advisers, coordinators (except GO coordinators), licence holders on residentials, trainers, tutors and those doing level 4.

There is also a top-up eLearning available to anyone who wishes to complete it. This is not a requirement to holding the Level 3 A Safe Space but a useful extra.

A Safe Space, Level 4 - Managing concerns, allegations and disclosures

For all commissioners, designates, deputies and those sharing a role, trainers delivering A Safe Space Level 4, safeguarding leads and A Safe Space advisers. There may be volunteers in other roles that may find this useful, for example, contingent management/support teams leading a national contingent to international events.

Accessing the training

Levels 1 and 2 can each be completed as an eLearning, linked above.

Levels 3 and 4 are both available as a virtual training and are being run by Girlguiding on a national level and also on a regional level.

Our main Events & Training page has details of how to find the Live Online sessions via GO.
​Region sessions can be booked via their special online booking website.

Recognising prior learning

Girlguiding have a recognised prior learning process for level 3, if you meet the requirements you will still need to complete levels 1 and 2. 

PLEASE NOTE: In order to use the prior learning route, your profession MUST include decision making responsibility around handling a safeguarding allegation or disclosure, as a designated lead or equivalent role. If you do not hold this decision making responsibility then you will not be eligible for the prior learning route and will need to complete the Level 3 A Safe Space training.

For the South West Region, the forms need to be sent to vikki@ggswe.org.uk for sign off.

Need help?

If you need any support in understanding which levels of the training you require, please talk to your local Commissioner in the first instance.

If you are unable to access a virtual training then please contact the Learning & Development team and we would be happy to organise an alternative. Once we're able to train face to face again we hope to roll out these sessions across the county but virtual sessions and the eLearning will also remain available.

Badges

Did you know the County has it's very own A Safe Space cloth badges?

​They're just for fun and are available from our online shop for those that would like to purchase one.