Safeguarding

As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all, especially children, young people. and vulnerable adults.

It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to report any abuse discovered or suspected.

We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with safer recruitment principles, including the use of the disclosures and barring service. Any leader or helper aged 16 years or over requires a current relevant DBS clearance.

Group leaders are responsible for disseminating the agreed parish safeguarding policy to their team and ensuring that the policy is  correctly followed

The leader of each group is responsible for ensuring that the names of leaders, helpers and children/young people present at each session are recorded in a register.  The register must be available for future reference.

We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, co-operating with the police and local authority in any investigation. Concerns should be raised with the Parish Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible. If a child is in immediate danger the police should be contacted.

We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with him or her an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.

We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.

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 our procedures we will comply with current legislation, Diocesan guidance and recognised good practice.