Policy on the Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults

This statement was adopted by the Benefice of the Meres and Meadows in January 2019. St Simon & St Jude, Cockshutt; St John the Evangelist, Colemere; St Raphael & St Isidore, Petton and St Michael & All Angels, Welshampton

  1. This policy will be reviewed each year to monitor the progress which has been achieved. We recognize that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.

• We recognise that a position of power in relation to another creates a risk of vulnerability. As a consequence we strive to ensure that we consider power when working and leading with people.
• We recognise that children by virtue of legal status and dependency on adults for their emotional and physical needs will always be vulnerable and at a disadvantage. We commit to considering this in our children’s activities – undertaking supervision of staff working with them and risk assessing activities and groups as a check and balance in our work.
• We understand that illness, disability, race, mental health and other issues can put adults in a
position of vulnerability. We accept that these can be long term (ongoing), or temporary. We commit to considering this in our adults activities and events – undertaking supervision of staff and risk assessing activities and groups as a check and balance in our work.
• We commit to transparency in our actions and accountability for our work.

  1. As members of this Benefice we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults and children to whom we minister.

• We will ensure that leaders of our Messy Church and other groups, as well as other ministries that involve working with vulnerable persons have appropriate enhanced DBS checks.
• We will ensure that those who care for people in our Benefice attend appropriate safeguarding training.
• We commit to discuss safeguarding and support to of safeguarding as a standing PCC agenda item

  1. We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their wellbeing in the life of this church.
  2. We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.

• We commit to discuss safeguarding, and support of, as a standing PCC agenda item
• We will ensure that those in positions of trust (such as Wardens), and those with remits or leadership of groups involving vulnerable children etc. have appropriate enhanced DBS checks and that these are updated every 5 years.
• We will engage with appropriate training and seek to develop relationships with other agencies and the diocese on safeguarding.
• Safeguarding including revision of policy will be a regular PCC agenda item and agree that whilst we have a named co-ordinator we will accept collective ownership for this important issue.
• We will be transparent, open and not have secrets.

  1. The Benefice commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.

• We will consider the impact of power, disadvantage, inclusion, disability, age and race on how we provide and plan for our ministry.
• We will actively (but appropriately), challenge each other in our work in order to ensure we consider a wide range of perspectives and views – ensuring that we do not oppressively impose our own values or views to another’s detriment.
• Where a person struggles with an activity due to disadvantage, disability or illness we will go the extra mile to assist them so they can participate and contribute as a full part of the church.

  1. It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of vulnerable people and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.

• We will not collude, keep secrets or make decisions when we have suspicion of abuse.
• We will seek, through discussion, the views of others and ensure, through use of external agencies and the diocese safeguarding service, that we engage and welcome external perspectives in order to promote a healthy accountable culture.
• We will report without being bias to our personal view.
• We will report and not investigate.
• We will record concerns factually in diocese suggested formats (as per recording with care policy 2017)
• We will not take chances with the welfare of children or vulnerable adults.
• We are open to scrutiny and encourage this in others.
• We have zero tolerance to abuse and put the welfare of vulnerable children and adults first.
• We take seriously training and activities relating to the safeguarding of children and seek to engrain this in our congregational culture.

  1. We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable.

• We will ensure that those in positions of trust (such as Wardens), and those with remits or leadership of groups involving vulnerable children etc. have appropriate enhanced DBS checks and that these are updated every 5 years.
• Safeguarding including revision of policy will be a regular PCC agenda item and agree that whilst we have a named co-ordinator we will accept collective ownership for this important issue.
• We will be transparent, open and not have secrets.
• Our incumbent undertakes to ensure that to the best of his or her knowledge all PCC members, Wardens and Ministry Leaders are of good standing.
• The PCC undertakes to appoint and upskill a dedicated Safeguarding co-ordinator.
• Safeguarding co-ordination undertakes to maintain a relationship with diocese level safeguarding team and endure that this policy is followed.

  1. The Benefice is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who may be vulnerable.

• We will engage with appropriate training and seek to develop relationships with other agencies and the diocese on safeguarding.
• Our incumbent undertakes to ensure that to the best of his or her knowledge all PCC members, Wardens and ministry leaders are attending training.
• The PCC undertakes to appoint and upskill a dedicated Safeguarding Co-ordinator,
• The Safeguarding Co-ordinator will organise and facilitate training for anybody who needs it.
• Safeguarding co-ordination undertakes to maintain a relationship with diocese level safeguarding team and endure that this policy is followed.

  1. The Benefice adopts the guidelines of the Church of England and the Diocese.
  • The Benefice will report and record in line with Diocese policies and comply with local guidance’s for implementing national policies as defined in diocese polices. These include the diocese safeguarding policy, recording with care policy, social media policy and safer recruitment policy.
  1. Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this church.
  • Those working with vulnerable adults or children will sign a declaration to state that they have read and agree to abide by the points outlined in this policy.

The Churches have appointed the following as their Safeguarding Co-ordinators:-

St Simon & St Jude, Cockshutt – Mrs Cathy Thorold – 01691 624988

St John the Evangelist, Colemere – Mrs Margaret Peach – 01691 623666

St Raphael & St Isidore, Petton – Mrs Mary Kennerley – 01939 270601

and St Michael & All Angels, Welshampton – Mrs Glo Wright – 01691 622653

They will represent the concerns and views of vulnerable people at our meetings and to outside bodies.

Signed Reverend Maureen Elizabeth Read (Priest in Charge)
January 2019