safeguarding

When it is known that a member of the congregation, or someone wishing to join the congregation, has sexually abused a child or young person, or is not a sexual offender against children but nevertheless may pose a risk, we will consult with the DSA, so that a safe course of action in accordance with recommended Church of England procedure can be pursued in conjunction with the relevant statutory agencies.

 

CARE OF SURVIVORS OF ABUSE AND THEIR FAMILIES 

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

 

RECORD KEEPING AND STORAGE 

 

Notes will be made of all safeguarding incidents involving children or adults. They will be treated confidentially and will be securely stored by the incumbent or designated person. They will be retained even if the information received was judged to be malicious, unsubstantiated or unfounded. During an interregnum, the designated person will be responsible for all safeguarding records which will be passed to the incoming incumbent.

 

SAFER PRACTICE WITH CHILDREN

 

We will ensure our work with children is carried out in a ‘safe’ environment in accordance with Safe Parish Guidelines:

 

• The ratio of leaders to children will comply with the Children Act 1989

• Each group will have a minimum of two adults and a gender balance will be maintained if possible

• Adults will not work alone with children

• We will seek to ensure meeting places are safe, secure and suitable for purpose 

• We will be clear about boundaries with regard to touching always related to the child’s needs and normally initiated by the child 

• We will obtain parental/guardian permission for attendance at groups, trips, use of images and transporting children in private cars 

• All those who drive children on church-organised activities should be over 25, have held a full driving licence for over two years and, if their license is endorsed with 6 points or more, should inform the incumbent or Parish Safeguarding Officer 

• All cars that carry children should be comprehensively insured for both private and business use. The insured person should make sure that their insurance covers the giving of lifts relating to church-sponsored activities 

 

UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
 

If children attend our church services without their parents’ or carers’ knowledge we will welcome the child(ren) and try to establish whether their parents are aware of where they are. We will make sure an adult recruited for work with children takes care of the child and try to discover when they are due home and encourage them to keep to that arrangement. Depending on the age and competence of the child, we will ring the parents or ask the young person to ring to gain the parents’ 10 consent to the child remaining. If the child comes regularly, we will endeavour to establish regular contact with the parents or carers.

 

 

VISITING ADULTS WHO MAY BE VULNERABLE, IN THEIR HOMES(including residential homes) 

 

Church workers will always complete an assessment of risk before visiting someone in their own home. They will always carry a mobile phone on a home visit and ensure that someone knows where they are and when they are expected to return. They will always call by appointment and carry identification. Where our workers need to refer the person to another agency we will talk this through with the vulnerable adult, seeking his/her permission before passing on personal information. Our workers will always endeavour to be clear about what behaviour from the vulnerable adults is acceptable and what is not. 

 

 

BELL RINGING 

 

The PCC will appoint the tower captain and others who are likely to be in charge of ringing at any time. All Tower Captains and ringers are expected to abide by the Diocesan Guidance “Safeguarding Children and Young people who are Bell Ringers” which follows the Child Protection policy of the Central Council for Bell Ringers. In particular, no adults will work alone with children and young people, at least one adult should be in calling distance at all times and instruction should be given with minimum physical contact as set out in paragraph 6 of the Diocesan Policy. 

 

 

ORGANISATIONS HIRING CHURCH BUILDING OR PREMISES 

 

In relation to all activities and events which are not run directly by the church but which take place in church buildings or grounds the responsibility for implementing safeguarding policies rests with the hiring organisation and not with the PCC. However, the PCC needs to take reasonable steps to ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are being practised by the hiring organisation. The PCC will require visiting groups to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are protected at all times, follow safe recruitment procedures, and are aware of health and safety issues in the building. Visiting groups will be required to sign a hire agreement and abide by the Parish Safeguarding Policy. 

 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA AND ENGAGING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE 

 

Children and Young people’s workers should be familiar with the full policy set out in the Safe Parish Guidance. All of the below should be shared with young people. 

 

E mails online chat and texting:
 

• Parental agreement should be obtained before communicating with young people

• Language should be clear and unambiguous

• All conversations must be made available for viewing by a worker’s supervisor

• Workers may provide advice and support, but avoid counselling

 

Mobile Phones
 

• Workers will be allocated a dedicated work phone

• They should use group texts wherever possible

• There should be an agreed length of time for conversations and a curfew 
  e.g. no communication between 10:00pm and 7:00am

• Conversations causing concern should be saved and passed to supervisor

• Photos should only be taken in accordance with safeguarding guidance

• Images should only be downloaded to a church computer

 

 

WHISTLEBLOWING
 

To fulfil their commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, all organisations that provide services for, or work with, children or vulnerable adults are required to have appropriate whistle-blowing procedures, and a culture that enables issues about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children to be addressed.

Members of a congregation should be encouraged to acknowledge their individual responsibility to bring matters of unacceptable practice, performance or behaviour to the attention of the incumbent. It is often the case that a co-worker or co-voluntary worker may be the first to recognise that something is wrong but may not feel able to express concerns, feeling that this would be disloyal; he or she may fear harassment or victimisation. These feelings, however, natural, must never result in a child or adult who may be vulnerable continuing to be unnecessarily at risk.
 

How to raise a concern:
 

• Concerns, suspicions or uneasiness about practice or behaviour of an individual should be voiced as soon as possible to the Incumbent or Dean

• If the concern is about the Incumbent inform the Archdeacon and DSA

• If the concern is about the Dean inform the Bishops Chaplain and DSA

• Be specific about what practice is concerning, what has been heard or what has been observed

• Ideally put concerns in writing, outlining the background and history, and providing dates and times

• People are encouraged to put your name to any disclosure; however, any concern raised anonymously should be considered at the discretion of the church, taking into account the seriousness of the issue raised, the credibility of the concern and the likelihood of confirming the allegation from attributable sources

 

If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others please seek advice from a Safeguarding Adviser or if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.

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