Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy for Southwick Methodist Church
The Methodist Church, along with the whole Christian community, believes each person has a value and dignity which comes directly from God’s creation of male and female 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.
Southwick Methodist Church is committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and vulnerable adults and affirms that the needs of children or of people when they are vulnerable and at risk are paramount.
Southwick Methodist Church recognises that none of us is invulnerable but that there is a particular care for those whose vulnerability is increased by situations, by disabilities or by reduction in capacities. 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.
Southwick Methodist 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.
Southwick 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.
Southwick 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.
Southwick 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.
Southwick 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.
A Church Safeguarding Adults Representative and Church Safeguarding Children Coordinator has been appointed, whose role is to:
- Support and advise the minister and the stewards in fulfilling their roles.
- Provide a point of reference to advise on safeguarding issues.
- Liaise with Circuit and District Safeguarding Officers.
- Promote safeguarding best practice within the local church with the support of circuit ministers.
- Ensure proper records are kept of all incidents/concerns according to Methodist policy and practice.
- Ensure that all safeguarding training which is required is undertaken by those in post and appropriate records kept and made available.
- Attend training and meetings organised to support the role.
- Oversee safeguarding throughout the whole life of the church e.g. lettings, groups property, etc.
- Report to the Church council annually.
- 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.
- Ensure the church completes a risk assessment on each area of activity in the church and this is stored and reviewed at least annually. This can be made available if asked for.
- Ensure that the church recruits safely for all posts.
- Ensure that the church has a safeguarding noticeboard with copy of the current, signed safeguarding policy, contact numbers for local and national helplines and other suitable information.
Purpose
The purposes of this safeguarding policy are to ensure procedures are in place and people are clear about roles and responsibilities for 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).
Good Practice
- All people are treated with respect and dignity.
- 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.
- The church premises will be assessed by the Church Safeguarding Officer 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. This will include fire safety procedures. The Church Council will consider the extent to which the premises and equipment are suitable or should be made more suitable.
- 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.
- 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.
- These things are to safeguard those working with children, young people and those adults who may be vulnerable.
Appointment and training of workers
Workers with children, young people and vulnerable adults 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 (both paid and voluntary) will be expected to undergo basic safeguarding training, within the first six months of appointment. The other training needs of each worker will be considered (e.g. food hygiene, first aid, lifting and handling, etc.).
Pastoral visitors
In terms of safeguarding, Pastoral Visitors will be supported in their role with the provision of basic safeguarding training upon appointment.
Guidelines for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults
A leaflet 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.
Ecumenical events
Where ecumenical events happen on church premises, safeguarding is the responsibility of this Church Council.
Events with church groups off the premises
Risk assessments will be created for off-site visits. Adequate staffing will be ensured for such events. Notification of the event will be given to the Church Council Secretary.
Other groups on church premises
Where the building is hired for outside use, the person signing the letting agreement will be given a copy of this policy and an appropriate leaflet. The lettings secretary will consider the various users of the building in making lettings.
Complaints procedure
It is hoped that complaints can generally be dealt with internally by the organisations. However, a complaint may be made to a person appointed by the Church Council. If the complaint cannot be resolved, consideration will be given to invoking the complaints system of the Methodist Church.
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Church Council.
Key concepts and definitions
Vulnerable Adults: any adult aged 18 or over who, due to disability, mental function, age, illness or traumatic circumstances may not be able to take care of or protect themselves.
Safeguarding and protecting children or vulnerable adults from maltreatment; preventing impairment of their health and ensuring safe and effective care.
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.
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.