Parish Safeguarding Policy: Promoting a Safer Church

This policy was reviewed and adopted at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 11th November 2020.

PURPOSE

This Policy is adopted to create a climate in which everyone is and feels safe and secure enough to enjoy and value working, worshipping, and playing together.

OBJECTIVES – In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:

  • promoting a safer environment and culture.
  • safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
  • responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
  • caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse, and for other affected persons.
  • caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse, and for other affected persons.
  • responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

RESPONSIBILITIES – The Parish will:

  • create a safe and caring place for all.
  • have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
  • safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognize and respond to abuse.
  • display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
  • listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
  • take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
  • offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
  • care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
  • ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
  • provide appropriate insurance cover for parish activities involving children and adults.
  • review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

Each person who works within this church community agrees to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

The Parish Safeguarding Officer is Dr Kate Hughes, contactable on 01832 734581/ 07768 521543/ or via email on: katehughes1@btinternet.com

Incumbent: Brian Withington
Churchwardens: Julia Powell and Stephen Barber

SAFEGUARDING – CORE ARRANGEMENTS

We are required to ensure that children, young people and vulnerable adults are protected at all times, by taking all reasonable steps to prevent injury, illness, loss or damage occurring. In particular, this means that:

  • we will comply with the attached Safeguarding Policy and these Arrangements when working with children and young people or vulnerable adults;
  • we will recruit safely all voluntary workers who work with children and/or vulnerable adults, by obtaining satisfactory disclosures from the Disclosure and Barring Service where eligible, and keeping records of dates and disclosure numbers indefinitely;
  • we will keep a list of the names of all voluntary workers with regular and direct contact with children/ vulnerable adults, and update it annually;
  • we will always have at least two supervising adults (over 18 years old) with any group of children and young people, no matter how small the group (no person under 18 years old will be left in charge of any children or young people of any age, and no child or group of children or young people will be left unattended at any time);
  • a register of children, young people or vulnerable adults attending our activities will be kept securely: this will include details of their name, date of birth, and contact details of parent/guardian or carer;
  • we will, within 24 hours, inform the Parish Safeguarding Officer of:
    • any incidents or allegations of abuse or causes of concern;
    • any known offenders against children or vulnerable adults seeking to join our church;

we will manage any such incidents or allegations, or known offenders through the Parish Safeguarding Officer, in co-operation with statutory agencies.

Titchmarsh PCC, November 2020