Model Church Safeguarding Policy updated July 2023
APPENDIX 6a: MODEL CHURCH SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Statement of Safeguarding Principles
It is the Methodist Church’s intention to value every human being as part of God’s creation and the whole
people of God. At the heart of the Methodist community is a deep sense of the place of welcome,
hospitality and openness, which demonstrates the nature of God’s grace and love for all.
Our church communities are called to be places where the transformational love of God is embodied and
life in all its fullness is a gift, which is offered to all people.
Principles
Safeguarding is about the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will:
• promote the welfare of children, young people and adults
• work to prevent abuse from occurring
• seek to protect and respond well to those that have been abused.
We are committed to:
• the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and
adults
• safeguarding and protecting all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
• establishing safe, caring communities, which provide a loving environment where there is
informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the church, in line with safer
recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records checks through the Disclosure and Barring
Service (DBS) and The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme in Scotland.
We will respond without delay to every safeguarding concern, which suggests that a child, young person
or adult may have been harmed, working in partnership with the police and social services in any
investigation.
We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry
of informed pastoral care.
We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
Working with the Church Safeguarding Officer, we will support risk assessment of those who present a
safeguarding risk within a church environment. We will ensure appropriate pastoral care is offered and
measures are taken to address identified risks including referral to statutory agencies, suspension and the
use of safeguarding contracts.
In all these principles, we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.
A Model Church Safeguarding PolicyModel Church Safeguarding Policy updated July 2023
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy for Lidlington Church
LEP (Methodist Church)
Purpose
The purpose of the church safeguarding policy is to check that procedures are in place and provide clarity
about the roles and responsibilities of those trusted with promoting the church as a safe space for all its
users.
This policy was agreed at a Church Council held on Sunday 5 November 2023
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.
Lidlington Church LEP (Methodist Church) is committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children,
young people and adults and affirms that the needs of vulnerable individuals at risk are paramount.
Lidlington Church LEP (Methodist Church) recognises that it has a particular care for all who are
vulnerable whether as a result of disabilities or 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 our wish 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
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.
Lidlington Church LEP (Methodist Church) recognises the serious issue of
the abuse of children, young people 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, child sexual exploitation 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 promotion of welfare so that
each of us can reach our full potential in God’s grace.
Lidlington Church LEP (Methodist Church) commits itself to:
1. RESPOND without delay to any allegation or cause for concern that a child or vulnerable adult may
have been harmed or may suffer harm, 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. IMPLEMENT the Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy, government legislation and guidance and
safe practice in the circuit and in the churches.
3. PROVIDE support, advice and training for lay and ordained people to ensure that people are clear
and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable.Model Church Safeguarding Policy updated July 2023
4. AFFIRM and give thanks for those who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults and
also acknowledge the shared responsibility of all of us for safeguarding children, young people and
vulnerable adults who are on our premises.
Church Council
Legal responsibility for safeguarding rests with the members of the Church Council. The
safeguarding officer should be a member of the Church Council or have the right to attend at least
annually to report on implementation of the safeguarding policy. Where an individual covers the
role in more than one location, they must be able to cover the activities identified in the relevant
role outline and be facilitated to attend meetings to report on safeguarding in each location. 1
Lidlington Church LEP (Methodist Church) appoints
Linda Bulled Church Safeguarding Officer (Adults & Children)
and supports them in their role, which is to:
• provide support and advice to the minister and the stewards in fulfilling their roles with regard to
safeguarding.
• ensure that a suitable, signed church safeguarding policy is available at all times in the church,
along with names of current safeguarding officers, national helplines and other suitable
information. This must be renewed annually.
• record all safeguarding issues that are reported to the church safeguarding officer, according to
Methodist safeguarding policy.
• promote appropriate routes for reporting of concerns
• identify and inform those who are required to attend safeguarding training and maintain records
of attendance. Work with the Circuit Safeguarding Officer and District Safeguarding Officer to
arrange training.
• attend training and meetings relating to the role
• work in partnership with others including stewards and user groups to promote good
safeguarding practice on church premises. This may include gaining written confirmation that
hirers of church premises are aware of the church safeguarding policy or are using an
appropriate policy of their own.
• check that safeguarding is included as an agenda item at all Church Council meetings and
report to the Church Council annually.
• inform all those with responsibility for recruitment, whether paid or voluntary, of their obligation to
follow safer recruitment procedures.
• advise the Circuit Safeguarding Officer and/or District Safeguarding Officer of any issues with
It is not appropriate for the minister in pastoral charge to hold the Church Safeguarding Officer role because of the potential
1
conflict with their own responsibilities.Model Church Safeguarding Policy updated July 2023
compliance with safeguarding training, policy or safer recruitment requirements and respond
promptly to any request from them about audit of safeguarding activities.
a) Good practice
We believe that good practice means:
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 record will be made and kept noting date, time and place of visit.
iii) 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, young people and
vulnerable adults and a written risk assessment report will be given annually to the Church
Council. 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 church-organised transport of children, young people or vulnerable adults will be checked to
ensure that the vehicle is suitable and insured and that the driver and escort (where required)
are appropriate. A record should be kept in the church file for each driver/car.
v) Activity risk assessments will be undertaken before any activity takes place to minimise the risk
of harm to those involved. Approval will be obtained from the event leader/minister. A written
record of the assessment will be retained securely.
vi) 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.
b) Appointment and training of workers in the church
Workers will be appointed after a satisfactory criminal records check and following the 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 safeguarding training, within the first 6
months of appointment. The other training needs of each worker will be considered (such as food
hygiene, first aid and lifting and handling).
c) Pastoral visitors
Pastoral visitors will be supported in their role with the provision of safeguarding training upon
appointment. If they are undertaking tasks for which a criminal records check would be required, this
will be undertaken prior to appointment.
d) Guidelines for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults
A leaflet outlining good practice and systems should be given to everyone who works with children,
young people and vulnerable adults. This leaflet should be reviewed annually.
e) Ecumenical eventsModel Church Safeguarding Policy updated July 2023
Where ecumenical events happen on church premises, safeguarding is the responsibility of this
Church Council.
f) Events with church groups off the premises
Adequate staffing, a risk assessment and notification of the event will 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 church council secretary: Linda Bulled
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.
g) Other groups on church premises
Where the building is hired for outside use, the Church Safeguarding Officer should be informed. The
Church Safeguarding Officer will keep the records and take advice as appropriate from the Circuit
Safeguarding Officer.
h) Complaints procedure
There is a formal complaints procedure within the Methodist Church, which allows concerns to be
raised about actions or behaviour by a member or officer of the Church. In addition, employed staff will
be subject to relevant contractual procedures. All complaints will be responded to with care, diligence
and impartiality.
A complaint should be addressed to the superintendent minister, the Rev. Michael Giles
[email protected]. If a complaint is made to another person it should be referred to the
superintendent. 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, the the Rev. David Chapman
Safeguarding officers must be informed of any complaint or issue relating to the potential abuse of
children, young people or adults who may be vulnerable. They will support prompt action to respond to
the circumstances of any safeguarding concern, whether or not any party involved wishes to make a
formal complaint through the Methodist Church.
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Church Council.
Next review date: 10.11.24
i) Definition of Key Terms
i) A child is anyone who has not yet reached their eighteenth birthday.
ii) Vulnerable adults: any adult aged 18 or over who, owing to disability, mental function, age or
illness or traumatic circumstances, may not be able to take care or protect themselves.
iii) Safeguarding: protecting children, young people or vulnerable adults from maltreatment;
preventing impairment of their health and ensuring safe and effective care.
iv) Adult/child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This refers to the activity,
which is undertaken to protect children, young people and/or adults who are suffering or are atModel Church Safeguarding Policy updated July 2023
risk of suffering significant harm, including neglect.
v) Abuse and neglect may occur in a family, a community or an institution. It may be perpetrated by
a person or persons known to the child, young person 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.
vi) Worker: anyone working with children or vulnerable adults in the name of Lidlington
Methodist Church, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.
Signed ......................................................................................... Chair of Church Council
Dated ...........................................................................................