SALTAIRE METHODIST CHURCH
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy
This policy was agreed at Saltaire Methodist Church Council meeting held on Monday 21st October 2024
1. The Policy
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.
Saltaire 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.
Saltaire 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 and vulnerable adults, for survivors of abuse, for communities and for those affected by abuse.
Saltaire Methodist Church fully agrees with the 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 our church community of all ages.
Saltaire 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
Saltaire Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy October 2024
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 is 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.
Saltaire Methodist Church commits itself to:
1. RESPOND without delay to any allegation or cause for concern that a child, young people 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. It commits itself to providing informated pastoral care to those in need, including the supervision of those who have committed criminal offences.
2. IMPLEMENT the Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Guidance, government legislation and guidance to achieve 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.
4. AFFIRM and give thanks for those who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults and acknowledge the shared responsibility of all of us for safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults who are on our premises.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this safeguarding policy is to ensure that procedures are in place and people are clear about roles and responsibilities for children and vulnerable adults in our care and using our premises. It is to be read in conjunction with the Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Guidance (2023). The full implementation of these policies should ensure that:
• The Church (and all associated activities) is a safer place for everyone. • Communities we serve have confidence that children and vulnerable adults are as safe as possible and that their wellbeing is enhanced in the life of the Church.
• People in the church are alert to unsafe practices and are able to challenge them.
Saltaire Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy October 2024
• Office holders are safely recruited, trained for their roles and are accountable for their activities.
• People who have experienced abuse are accepted, empowered and supported in maintaining control over their lives and making informed choices without coercion. • People who abuse are held accountable to the law and the risk they pose is managed while they are supported and challenged to address their motivations and behaviour.
3. Roles and responsibilities
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.
It is the responsibility of each Church Council to appoint a Church Safeguarding Officer and there should be no gaps in this crucial provision. It is not appropriate for the minister to fill any gap, because of the potential conflict of roles. The role will usually be undertaken on a voluntary basis although expenses should be met.
The Church Council of Saltaire Methodist Church appoints Kay Nichols as Church Safeguarding Officer (Adults) and Church Safeguarding Officer (Children) and supports her in her 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
Saltaire Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy October 2024
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 compliance with safeguarding training, policy or safer recruitment requirements and response promptly to any request from them about audit of safeguarding activities
3. 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, young person 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 by the Church Safeguarding Officer with the Property Steward and/or their representatives at least annually for the safety of children, young people 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 church-organised transport of children, young people or vulnerable adults will be checked through a questionnaire which will be completed annually by each driver to ensure that the vehicle is suitable and insured and that the driver and escort are appropriate. An agreed record to 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 in case it needs to be seen at a later date.
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.
Saltaire Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy October 2024
These things are to safeguard those working with children, young people and those adults who may be vulnerable.
a) Appointment and training of workers
Workers will be appointed after a satisfactory criminal records check and following 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, signed and the record kept. 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 (eg food hygiene, first aid, lifting and handling, etc).
b) Pastoral visitors
In terms of safeguarding, Pastoral Visitors will be supported in their role with the provision of basic safeguarding training upon appointment.
c) Guidelines for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults
A leaflet outlining good practice and systems will be produced and given to everyone who works with children, young people or vulnerable adults. This leaflet will be reviewed annually. Church Councils may produce their own material or use appropriate Connexional leaflets (eg the Quick Reference Guide or Code of Safer Working Practice).
d) Ecumenical events
Where ecumenical events happen on church premises, safeguarding is the responsibility of this Church Council.
e) 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 Lesley Hainsworth.
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 and any queries resolved.
f) Other groups on church premises
Saltaire Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy October 2024
Where the building is hired for outside use, the person signing the letting agreement (www.tmcp.org.uk/property/letting-property-and-third-party-use) will be given a copy of and the appropriate leaflet1. The lettings secretary will consider the various users of the building in making lettings. All lettings will be notified to the Church Safeguarding Officer who will keep the records and take advice as appropriate from both the District Safeguarding Officer and Circuit Safeguarding Officer.
g) 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 Revd. Phil Drake. If a complaint is made to another person it should be referred to him. 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 Revd. Kerry Tankard at:- The Methodist Church, Yorkshire West District Office, Touchstone, 4, Easby Road, Bradford, BD7 1QX.
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.
h) Review
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Church Council. The date of the next review is October 2025.
4. Definition of Key Terms
i) A child is anyone who has not yet reached their eighteenth birthday. The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living independently or is in further education, a member of the armed forces, in hospital or in custody in secure accommodation, does not change his/her status or entitlements to services of protection.
Saltaire Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy October 2024
ii) 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 of or protect themselves.
iii) Safeguarding and 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 at risk of suffering significant harm, including neglect.
v) 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.
vi) Worker: anyone working with children or vulnerable adults in the of Saltaire Methodist Church, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity
Signed … Phil Drake ……………………………………………. Chair of Church Council Dates 21st October 2024
Saltaire Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy October 2024