Lidlington Church Safeguarding Policy CYPA 2024.11 v1

Policy for Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults for Lidlington Church Ecumenical Single Congregation

This Policy was agreed at the Lidlington Church Council Meeting held on 17.11.2024

  • We are committed to implementing a safeguarding policy for children, young people and vulnerable adults in accordance with ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ Church of England Safeguarding Policy for children, young people and adults, Creating Safer Space Beds, Essex and Herts Methodist District, Baptists Together Safeguarding Policy and to be responsive to local community requirements.

  • We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that all children, young people and adults should be offered respect and given inclusion and empowerment within the Church.

  • We will review and endorse the safeguarding policies annually so that all members are aware of their responsibilities.

  • The highest standards will be maintained in all the Church’s contacts with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

  • We will carefully select through safer recruitment practice, all those working with vulnerable groups and these workers will be given appropriate support and opportunities for training.

  • We will respond without delay to every complaint made that a child, young person or vulnerable adult for whom we are responsible may have been harmed.  

  • This Church will co‐operate fully with the statutory agencies in every situation and will not conduct its own investigations.

  • We will seek to offer informed pastoral care to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse.

  • We will care for and supervise any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

  • Lidlington Church Council acknowledges its responsibility for all work with children, young people and adults done in the name of the Church and requires all those engaged in such work to be properly appointed and supported in accordance with: The Church of England Practice Guidance: Safer Recruitment  (July 2016) and The Methodist Church Safeguarding Practice Guidance on carrying out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks as part of Safer Recruitment for England and Wales (August 2015)                                                Review date Oct/Nov 2025

Below is a list of contacts for your local area for children, young people and adults.

Lidlington Church Safeguarding Lead for children, young people and vulnerable adults:  
Linda Bulled      07752 677 622       37 Church St. Lidlington            [email protected]

Diocese of St Albans Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor:
Jez Hirst                     01727 818 107         07867 350 886         [email protected]

North Bedfordshire Methodist Circuit  Circuit Safeguarding Coordinator:
Stephanie Field        07522 928 936                                             [email protected]

You can also seek advice at any time from:           Central Bedfordshire Council

Children Services Access and Referral Hub                         0300 300 8585 (during office hours)

Our office hours:                08.45 until 17.20 Monday to Thursday               

08.45 until 16.20 on a Friday

 If you urgently need help outside office hours you can contact
Children Services Social Care Emergency Duty Team       0300 300 8123
Or email   [email protected]

Adult Social Care Services
If the person you are worried about is not in immediate danger then you can report suspected abuse of an adult using our online form(link opens in new window) 
If you would rather speak to us, or if you need any help completing the form, you can contact us:
0300 300 8122 (Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 5:20pm)
0300 300 8123 (outside of these hours) by email at [email protected]

Bedfordshire Police 101 for advice or 999 in emergency

NSPCC helpline  0808 800 5000      [email protected]          

Silver Line helpline for older people  0800 4 70 80 90