A Safe Church Safeguarding children and adults who may be vulnerable Policies, Procedures and Guidelines Church, The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

This morning we are aiming to: make ourselves more aware of what keeping safe means in church, and why it is important explain how safeguarding policies and procedures affect what we do here at St xxxxxx’s church help us understand that we all have a part to play in making St xxxxxx’s a church safe for everyone who comes The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

Why is being safe important? It is part of how we value and include people, and treat people with respect To be free to worship and belong, people need to feel safe All people, including those who are vulnerable, need to be able to make choices, be independent, and have the opportunity to contribute their gifts We need to protect from harm all who may be vulnerable, children and adults. The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

Who is vulnerable? Children – anyone under 18 – always Some adults – for instance if they : o have mobility difficulties o have learning difficulties o are ill – physically or mentally o have other reasons – bereavement, financial problems, trouble with the law, victims of abuse The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

What does that mean? We are all vulnerable at some time in our lives – its all of us, not ‘them’ Being vulnerable as an adult is not always permanent We don’t always tell people – so we don’t always know People who we think are vulnerable may not feel it themselves. The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

What are churches like? We welcome everyone Most of us are volunteers – we’re not experts We make friends, share information about each other – our boundaries are fuzzy We welcome strangers without wanting their CVs! Our buildings can be hazardous, with hidden places and open doors The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

What are churches like? People often come when they are at vulnerable times in their lives – bereavement, change, new babies People put a lot of trust in others – especially clergy, and those who dress up! People assume that because we are Christian we always behave well…. The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

So what does all that mean? We are different from schools, hospitals and other places where vulnerable people are protected – we can’t be rigid in including and excluding people Its complicated! – we mustn’t make assumptions about how adults feel and see themselves We need a church which runs its activities in a way which welcomes all, but sets limits on risks The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

What are we committed to? Ensuring the well-being of children and young people and adults who may be vulnerable in the church community Creating a youth-friendly and child-friendly environment Creating a welcoming, respectful environment for everyone, which is safe from abuse The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

‘A Safe Church’ This is the name of our new parish policies, procedures and guidelines All parishes in Southwark Diocese have adopted the same policies, procedures and guidelines The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

‘A Safe Church’ – who for? To keep safe children and adults who are vulnerable To support and protect adults – volunteers and paid – who work with children and vulnerable adults To ensure that St xxxxxx’s Church has a good name and reputation in caring for all people The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

‘A Safe Church’ – who for? They apply to:  all clergy and licensed ministers  all paid and voluntary workers in parishes  all activities which take place on premises. So we all need to know about them! The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

What is ‘A Safe Church’ based on? Compliant with safeguarding law and statutory guidelines Follows Church of England policies in safeguarding children, adults who may be vulnerable and responding to domestic abuse Adopts Diocesan policies The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

What’s in A Safe Church? Three policies for safeguarding children for safeguarding adults who may be vulnerable for responding to domestic abuse Procedures and guidelines lots of them, which explain how we put the policies into action The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

Who are the key people in safeguarding? The vicar, name, the churchwardens – name and name, the parish safeguarding officers – name and name Their expertise – Work with children Work with vulnerable adults They’ve done diocesan safeguarding training They’ve thought carefully about what safeguarding means for St xxxxxx’s They know what to do if something goes wrong, and when and where to get help and advice. The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

What does it mean for St xxxxxx’s? We make sure we recruit volunteers and paid staff safely, by: o references and interviews o CRB, and following recommendations on any risks they pose We run our activities as safely as we can – have enough leaders, check regularly that our buildings and activities are safe, and risks are minimal The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

What does it mean for St xxxxxx’s? We know what to do if anyone makes an allegation or has any concerns about a child or vulnerable adult’s well-being, or if there are people known to pose a risk: o We work with our archdeacon (name) and Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (Jill) to follow procedures, be supported and make difficult situations better and not worse o We work with statutory agencies (Social Care Services, Police) o We think about the consequences for everyone o We aim to ensure that everyone involved is cared for The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

What does it mean for St xxxxxx’s? We take all complaints seriously (through the churchwardens, vicar and Parish Safeguarding Officers) We make sure we share information carefully, and keep records carefully and confidentially We make sure appropriate boundaries of confidentiality and consent are followed (we don’t gossip). The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

What do you need to do? You can read relevant bits of the manual, always available at location You can borrow the disk to take home You can ask us questions – over coffee today, or any time - about how we do things and why You can put a question or suggestion in the box at the back of church – today or any time – and we will follow these up and take everything you say seriously The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

What do you need to do? You can play your part in what we are committed to: o ensuring the well-being of children and young people and adults who may be vulnerable in the church community o creating a youth-friendly and child-friendly environment o creating a welcoming, respectful environment for everyone, which is safe from abuse You can be vigilant and alert in the way you care for yourself and others at St xxxxxx’s The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

Remember – This is important for all of us – we all need to know about it, and we all have our part to play This is not a one off – it is a continuing part of our church life together The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

And finally… If you are ever worried about your own safety or the safety of children or other adults who may be vulnerable, or the way we do things – or if anything from today’s presentation has raised difficult things for you - talk to one of the key people involved in safeguarding group (names) don’t take your worries home with you. don’t moan or gossip! The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church

Safeguarding People at St xxxxxx’s Parish Safeguarding Officer/s tel: Churchwardens tel : Vicar tel: The Diocese of Southwark A Safe Church