Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy for
Four Oaks Methodist Church

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This policy was agreed at a Church Council held on 26 April 2018

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The Methodist 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.

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Four Oaks Methodist 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.

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Four Oaks Methodist 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. 

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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.

 

Four Oaks 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.

 

Four Oaks 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.

 

1.  Four Oaks 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.   Four Oaks 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. 

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3.   Four Oaks 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. 

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4.   Four Oaks 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. 

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Four Oaks Methodist Church appoints Anne Thompson as Church Safeguarding Officer (Adults and Children) 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 best practice within the local church with the support of circuit ministers.

v)      Assist the Minister in keeping proper records of all incidents/concerns according to Methodist policy and practice see Safeguarding Records: Joint Practice Guidance for the Church of England and the Methodist Church - Updated Jan 2015.

vi)     Be aware of all safeguarding training which is required by those in post and keep records which can be made available. 

vii)    Attend training and meetings organised to support the role.

viii)   Coordinate safeguarding throughout the whole life of the church e.g. lettings, groups property, etc.

ix)     Report to the Church council.

x)      Assist the church in completing a regular 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)     Help  the church to recruit safely for all posts.

xii)    Maintain the church safeguarding noticeboard with copy of the current safeguarding policy, contact numbers for local and national helplines and other suitable information.

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a)     Purpose

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 (2017). 

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b)     Good Practice

 

We believe good practice means that:

 

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 annually by the Caretaker (or other appointed person), and/or an external provider 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.

 

iv)    Any transport of children or vulnerable adults will be outsourced to a licensed taxi company. People may make arrangements with friends if they prefer. There will be no church organised transport.

 

 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.

 

These things are to safeguard those working with children, young people and those adults who may be vulnerable.

 

c) Appointment and training of those working with vulnerable adults and young people

 

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. Each worker will be expected to undergo basic safeguarding training, within the first 6 months of appointment. The other training needs of each worker will be considered (e.g. food hygiene, first aid, lifting and handling, etc.).

 

d) Pastoral visitors

 

In terms of safeguarding, Pastoral Visitors will be supported in their role and will be expected to undergo basic safeguarding training within 6 months of appointment. 

 

e) Guidelines for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults

 

These are available on the safeguarding notice board, and will be given to all new workers

 

f)  Ecumenical events

 

Where ecumenical events happen on church premises, safeguarding is the responsibility of this Church Council. 

 

g) Events with church groups off the premises

 

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. The Church Safeguarding Officer will forward it to the Circuit Safeguarding Officer in order that an appropriate response can be made. The District Safeguarding Officer and District Safeguarding Group will need to be informed of all off site events. 

 

h) 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. The lettings secretary will consider the various users of the building in making lettings. All new lettings will be notified to the Church Safeguarding Officer who will take advice as appropriate from both the DSO and CSO. 

 

i)  Complaints procedure  

 

It is hoped that complaints can generally be dealt with internally by the organisations. However, a complaint may be made to specific individuals who will be appointed by the Church Council and who are currently Rev Stephen Froggatt and Deacon Marilyn Slowe. If a complaint is made to another person, it should be passed to Rev Stephen Froggatt who will arrange to meet with the complainant and attempt to resolve the complaint. If the complaint cannot be resolved, consideration will be given to invoking the complaints system of the Methodist Church which will involve initially speaking with the Local Complaints Officer who is Rev Alan Smithson.  

 

j)   Review 

 

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Church Council. 

 

k)  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    26th April 2018 Signed   Chair of Church Council 

 

The Ministers’ names and contact details are:

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Rev Stephen Froggatt  354 1454,                                                                               

Deacon Marilyn Slowe  351 7756

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The Superintendent Minister’s name and contact details are:

 

Rev Alan Smithson 355 0079

 

The safeguarding coordinator’s name and contact details are:

 

Mrs A Thompson 308 1589

 

The Circuit safeguarding officer’s name and contact details are:

 

Mrs C Blake  354 7577

 

The District safeguarding Officer:

 

Sue Holder 07508 232773