SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN/VULNERABLE ADULTS POLICY
Parish of St Augustine’s, Brocco Bank
Statement of Aims
Our aims are for children:
- To help young people in their Christian discipleship through a programme of learning and thereby to deepen their Christian faith
- To enable young people to experience the love of God
- To encourage a strong Christian fellowship
- Help young people realise their full potential physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually
- To encourage young people to take a full part in the Church’s life and worship
- To provide a safe meeting place for young people
- To encourage young people to become responsible adults
- To promote equality of opportunity for all
Statement regarding Vulnerable adults
- We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives
- As members of this parish we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults to whom we minister.
- We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.
- We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.
- The parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.
- 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 undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable.
- The parish is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who may be vulnerable.
- The parish adopts the guidelines of the Church of England and the diocese.
- Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this church.
This document covers the work of this parish with children and young people and vulnerable adults in its services and in the groups meeting throughout the week.
Currently these groups are:
- Sunday School (2-14 years, Sunday 10.30–11.45 am)
- Dance to Heath ( 50+ some vulnerable adults Wednesdays 10-12.30)
This policy also covers any work undertaken outside of the church buildings carried out under the auspices of the P.C.C.
Policy Statement
This P.C.C. adopts the policy statement of the Diocese and will display it prominently in all church premises. The P.C.C. expects all church workers to follow its Safeguarding Children Policy and will display it in a prominent place.
Application of the Policy
All new workers, whether paid or voluntary, working for church-based organisations, will be informed of the policy by the Vicar, the Safeguarding Officer or the group leader. They will be expected to accept the policy and guidelines and work according to their requirements.
All new members of the P.C.C. will be required to accept the policy and guidelines. The P.C.C. will appoint a group to oversee the Policy, and it will be placed on the Agenda of the P.C.C. at least annually for review.
The P.C.C. will appoint a Safeguarding Children Officer and will inform the Church House administrator of their details.
Church Premises
Any organisation booking the use of church premises will be informed of the need to observe the policy via a statement on the Booking Form. They should be expected to confirm they have a Safeguarding policy and appropriate insurance. Individuals booking church premises for private functions will have the policy drawn to their attention and accept their responsibility for protecting children at that function.
Recruitment
The P.C.C. will follow the recruitment process included in the Safeguarding Policy. References, the Confidential Declaration and a DBS via the Diocesan system will be obtained. Appointment to any post, paid or voluntary, will not be made until these processes are complete. All appointments will be made on a conditional basis until the completion of a satisfactory probationary period. All those working with children and young people and vulnerable adults will follow the good practice guidelines in the Diocesan Safeguarding Children Policy and Guidelines/ Vulnerable adults guidelines
Registration and Parental Consent
All groups will keep a register of those attending each session. Parental consent forms, including emergency contact details, must be completed for all participants, and must be available to group leaders whenever the group meets. This applies to all groups, whether meeting on church premises or elsewhere.
Insurance
The P.C.C. will ensure that there is adequate insurance cover for all activities for children and young people.
Fire Regulations and Security
All group leaders will be aware of fire regulations and the positions of fire extinguishers. They will be vigilant as to the presence of anyone on the premises during the meetings of the groups. They should know who to contact in an emergency relating to the building.
Food and Hygiene
If any group is involved in the preparation or selling of food, at least one leader should have completed the food hygiene and food safety course to ensure good practice is followed.
First Aid and Accidents
Each group will have at least one adult present who has attended a basic course on first aid. There should be a properly stocked first aid kit accessible to each group. In the event of any accident, an incident and accident report form should be completed. This should be kept securely in a marked file. Parents should also be informed of any accident .
Providing an Independent Person
Children and young people should have the opportunity to raise any concerns about any health and safety or protection matters. A notice will be placed on the noticeboard and/or entrance to church and to all church premises with the name of the parish Safeguarding Officer, Childline telephone number and of any other independent person the parish appoints to afford this opportunity.
Allegations
If an allegation is received concerning the behaviour of an adult, they will inform the Safeguarding Officer who will the Diocesan Allegations Policy will be followed.
Concerns About or Reported by a Child
This parish will follow the Diocesan Guidelines and report the concern to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, or to the appropriate Archdeacon.
Review
All children and young people’s and vulnerable adult workers will meet to review their work on an annual basis. This should include a review of child protection issues and health and safety issues relating to each group. Notification of this meeting should be reported to the P.C.C. The Parish Safeguarding Officer will review the parish policy annually and report to the P.C.C., who will record this review in their minutes. The P.C.C. will inform the Archdeacon via the visitation that this has been done. A copy of the current Parish Safeguarding Policy should be sent to the Archdeacon for inclusion in the parish file. A further copy should be sent if there are substantial amendments.
Training
Group leaders will be encouraged to attend the Safeguarding training provided by the Diocese or by the Local Authority. The parish will consider its training needs at the time it reviews the Safeguarding Policy. If specific needs are identified the parish will consult with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.
Use of Social Media
All those using social media, text messaging and email to communicate with children must follow the diocesan guidelines
Agreed by PCC July 2019
Signed …..C. Dawson ………………… M. Doran……………………………
Priest in Charge Churchwarden