Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of humans in God’s own image. This implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to value the potential in everyone. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. We all have duty therefore to protect them from harm.
Principles
We are committed to:
· the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
· the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
· the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes.
We will respond without delay to every concern raised which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been victim of abuse, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust/authority.
We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.
MODEL CHURCH POLICY
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy for
Warley Woods Methodist Church
Purpose
The purposes of this safeguarding policy are to ensure procedures are in place and people are clear about our roles and responsibilities for children, young people and vulnerable adults in our care and using our premises. It is to be read in conjunction with the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Guidance for the Methodist Church (2017).
The Church recognises that it has a particular care for all who are vulnerable whether by disabilities or by reduction in capacities or by their situation. It is recognised that this increased vulnerability may be temporary or permanent and may be visible or invisible, but that it does not diminish our humanity and seeks to affirm the gifts and graces of all God’s people.
This policy addresses the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is intended to be a dynamic policy. It is intended to support the Church in being a safe supportive and caring community for children, young people, vulnerable adults, for survivors of abuse, for communities and for those affected by abuse.
Warley Woods Methodist Church fully agrees with the Connexional statement reiterated in Creating Safer Space 2007:
As the people of the Methodist Church we are concerned with the wholeness of each individual within God’s purpose for everyone. We seek to safeguard all members of the church community of all ages.
The Church recognises the serious issue of the abuse of children and vulnerable adults and recognises that this may take the form of physical, emotional, sexual, financial, spiritual or institutional abuse or neglect. It acknowledges the effects these may have on people and their development including spiritual and religious development. It accepts its responsibility for ensuring that all people are safe in its care and that their dignity and right to be heard is maintained. It accepts its responsibility to support, listen to and work for healing with survivors, offenders, communities and those who care about them. It takes seriously the issues of promotion of welfare so that each of us can reach our full potential in God’s grace.
In the light of the above principles:
1. Warley Woods Methodist Church commits itself to RESPOND without delay to any allegation or cause for concern that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, whether in the church or in another context. It commits itself to challenge the abuse of power of anyone in a position of trust.
2. Warley Woods Methodist Church commits itself to ensuring the IMPLEMENTATION of Connexional Safeguarding Policy, government legislation and guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches.
3. Warley Woods Methodist Church commits itself to the PROVISION of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.
4. Warley Woods Methodist Church AFFIRMS and gives thanks for the work of those who are workers with children and vulnerable adults and acknowledges the shared responsibility of all of us for safeguarding vulnerable adults who are on our premises.
5. Warley Woods Methodist Church appoints Elizabeth Homer as Church Safeguarding Officer and supports her in her role which is to:
i) support and advise the minister and the stewards in fulfilling their roles
ii) provide a point of reference to advise on safeguarding issues
iii) liaise with Circuit and District Safeguarding Officers
iv) promote safeguarding good practice within the local church with the support of circuit ministers
v) Ensure proper records are kept of all incidents/concerns according to Methodist policy and practice.
vi) Ensure that all safeguarding training which is required is undertaken by those in post and appropriate records kept and made available
vii) Attend training and meetings organised to support the role
viii) Oversee safeguarding throughout the whole life of the church e.g. lettings, groups property, etc.
ix) Report to the Church Council annually
x) Ensure the church completes a yearly audit/monitoring on safeguarding, confirming that policies are in place for the church, and all groups and lettings in the church, and that these have been annually reviewed
xi) Ensure the church completes a risk assessment on areas of activity in the church and this is stored and reviewed annually. This should be made available if asked for.
xii) Ensure that the church has displayed safeguarding notices with copy of the current, signed safeguarding policy, contact numbers for local and national helplines and other suitable information.
Good Practice
We believe good practice includes the principles and practical measures outlined below:
i) All people are treated with respect and dignity.
ii) Those who act on behalf of the Church should not meet or work alone with a child or vulnerable adult where the activity cannot be seen unless this is necessary for pastoral reasons, in which case a written note of this will be made and kept noting date, time and place of visit.
iii) The church premises will be assessed by the Church Safeguarding Officers with the property steward and/or their representatives at least annually for safety for children and vulnerable adults and the risk assessment report will be given annually to the Church Council in written form. The Church Council will consider the extent to which the premises and equipment are suitable or should be made more suitable.
iv) Any church-organised transport of children or vulnerable adults will be checked to ensure the vehicle is suitable and insured and that the driver and escort are appropriate. An agreed record kept in the church file for each driver/car.
v) Promotion of safeguarding is recognised to include undertaking those tasks which enable all God’s people to reach their full potential. The Church Council will actively consider the extent to which it is succeeding in this area.
vi) Pastoral Visitors will be supported in their role with the provision of basic safeguarding training upon appointment
vii) Guidance will be produced and reviewed annually to be given to each worker with children, young people and vulnerable adults outlining good practice and systems. The leaflet will be reviewed annually with this policy.
viii) Where the building is hired for outside use, the person signing the letting agreement will be given a copy of this policy.
ix) Where events with church groups take place off church premises a risk assessment and notification of the event to be given to the Church Safeguarding Officer PRIOR to the agreement for any event or off site activity.
Complaints procedure
It is hoped that any concerns raised can generally be dealt with internally by the organisations. However, a complaint may be made to a person who will be appointed by the Church Council, usually the safeguarding Officer. If a complaint is made to another person, it should be passed to the Minister who will arrange to meet with the complainant and attempt to resolve the complaint.
In all cases where a concern is raise or a complaint made, the procedures outlined in the appendices which form part of this policy MUST be followed.
The Superintendent Minister may also wish to consider invoking the complaints system of the Methodist Church where this is deemed appropriate by the Superintendent Minister.
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Church Council.
Key concepts and definitions
i) Vulnerable Adults: Any adult aged 18 or over who, due to disability, mental function, age or illness or traumatic circumstances, may not be able to take care or protect themselves.
ii) Safeguarding and protecting children or vulnerable adults from maltreatment; preventing impairment of their health and ensuring safe and effective care.
iii) Adult/child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This refers to the activity which is undertaken to protect children/specific adults who are suffering or are at risk of suffering significant harm, including neglect.
iv) Abuse and neglect may occur in a family, in a community and in an institution. It may be perpetrated by a person or persons known to the child or vulnerable adult or by strangers; by an adult or by a child. It may be an infliction of harm or a failure to prevent harm.
Dated ________________________
Signed ________________________ Chair of Church Council
WARLEY WOODS METHODIST CHURCH
Appendix 1. Procedure to be followed following a disclosure of concern/complaint
• Pass the completed ‘Record of Concern’ form to the Safeguarding Officer
• If a person is at immediate risk of harm, and the Safeguarding Officer, or the Superintendent Minister, cannot be contacted, contact the agencies below.
Local Authority Child at Risk Adult at Risk
Dudley: 0300 550 0050 (9am-5pm) 0300 550 0055
0300 550 8574 (Out of Hours)
Sandwell: 0121 569 3100 (all hours) 0121 569 2266 (9am-5pm)
0121 569 2355 (Out of Hours)
Birmingham: 0121 303 1888 (9am-5pm) 0121 303 1234
0121 675 4806