Our Safeguarding Policy
St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy
The Church, along with the whole Christian community, believes each person has a value and dignity which comes directly from God’s creation in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things, this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm. St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church is committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults and affirms that the needs of children or of people when they are vulnerable and at risk are paramount. St Andrew’s Psalter Lane 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. St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church fully agrees with the 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.’ St Andrew’s Psalter Lane 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, discriminatory, domestic or institutional abuse or neglect, abuse using social media or human trafficking (slavery). 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.
St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church commits itself to:
It is the responsibility of each Church Council to appoint a Church Safeguarding Officer and there should be no gaps in this crucial provision. It is not appropriate for the minister to fill any gap, because of the potential conflict of roles. The role will usually be undertaken on a voluntary basis although expenses should be met.
The Ecumenical Church Council of St Andrew’s Psalter Lane Church appoints Judith Roberts as church Safeguarding Officer (Adults) and Janet Loughridge as church Safeguarding Officer (Children) and supports them in their role, which is to:
The purposes of this safeguarding policy are to ensure procedures are in place and people are clear about 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 (2019).
We believe that good practice means:
These things are to safeguard those working with children, young people and those adults who may be vulnerable.
Workers will be appointed after a satisfactory DBS disclosure and following safer recruitment procedures of the Methodist Church. Each worker will have an identified supervisor who will meet at regular intervals with the worker. A record of these meetings will be agreed and signed and the record kept. Each worker will be expected to undergo basic safeguarding training, within the first 6 months (agreed by Methodist Conference in 2011 -Creating Safer Space Report) of appointment. The other training needs of each worker will be considered (e.g. food hygiene, first aid, lifting and handling, etc.).
In terms of safeguarding, pastoral visitors will be supported in their role with the provision of basic safeguarding training upon appointment.
A leaflet outlining good practice and systems will be produced and given to everyone who works with children, young people and vulnerable adults. This leaflet will be reviewed annually. Church Councils may produce their own material or use appropriate connexional leaflets (e.g. the Quick Reference Guide or Code of Safer Working Practice).
Where ecumenical events happen on church premises, safeguarding is the responsibility of this Church Council.
Adequate staffing, 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. Notification of the event will be given to the ECC secretary, Janet Loughridge If the activity is unusual or considered to be high risk the church safeguarding officer will contact the circuit safeguarding officer in order that it can be ratified or any queries raised.
Where the building is hired for outside use, the person signing the letting agreement (www.tmcp.org.uk/property/letting-property-and-third-party-use) will be given a copy of and the appropriate leaflet[2]. The lettings secretary will consider the various users of the building in making lettings. All lettings will be notified to the church safeguarding officer who will keep the records and take advice as appropriate from both the District Safeguarding officer and Circuit Safeguarding Officer.
It is hoped that complaints can generally be dealt with internally by the organisation. However, if the complaint is of a safeguarding nature, relating to possible abuse of children or vulnerable adults, then it is very important that your district safeguarding officer is consulted as statutory services may need to be informed. A complaint should be addressed to the superintendent minister. If a complaint is made to another person it should be referred to them. Meetings will be arranged with the person making the complaint and, usually, the person against whom the complaint has been made, in an attempt to resolve it. If the complaint is against the superintendent, it should be sent to the District Chair.
This policy will be reviewed annually. This version was approved by the ECC, 1st December 2021. Next review due December 2022.
Dated ...1st December 2021.....................................................................................
Signed ..David Body..................................................................................... Chair of Church Council
[2] Such as the code of safer working practice leaflet in the appendices or the quick reference guide https://www.methodistpublishing.org.uk/books/pe750-sg-16/safeguarding . |
![]() |