In the event of concerns arising about the wellbeing of a child or vulnerable adult at Hazelwell Church, the following individuals can be contacted
Contacts
Bishop's Safeguarding Adviser: Steph Haynes 07342 993 844
Mary Bowen Safeguarding Officer: mmbowenuk@yahoo.com
Shannon Moore: mooreshst@gmail.com
NSPCC ( 24hour response) 0808 800 5000
Childline (24 hour response) 0800 1111
Photographs, names and phone numbers of the above church officers are displayed in church.
Statement of Safeguarding Principles
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential 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.
Principles
We are committed to:
We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority 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.
We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy for Hazelwell Church
Hazelwell Church, along with the whole Christian community, believes each person has a value and dignity which comes directly from God’s creation of male and female 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.
The Hazelwell Church is committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and vulnerable adults and affirms that the needs of children or of people when they are vulnerable are paramount.
Hazelwell Church recognises that none of us is invulnerable but that there is a particular care for those whose vulnerability is increased by situations, by disabilities or by reduction in capacities. 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 seeks 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 be a dynamic policy. 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.
Hazelwell Church recognises the serious issue of the abuse of children and vulnerable adults and recognises that this may take the form of physical, emotional, sexual, financial, spiritual or institutional abuse or neglect. 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 issues of promotion of welfare so that each of us can reach our full potential in God’s grace.
Hazelwell Church commits itself to respond without delay to any allegation or cause for concern that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, whether in the church or in another context. It commits itself to challenge the abuse of power of anyone in a position of trust.
Hazelwell Church commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Promoting A Safer Church The Safeguarding policy and statement of the House of Bishops; government legislation and Church Of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook, used together with The Church of England – Birmingham’s supplement,
Hazelwell Church commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.
Hazelwell Church affirms and gives thanks for the work of those who are workers with children and vulnerable adults and acknowledges the shared responsibility of all of us for safeguarding vulnerable adults who are on our premises.
Hazelwell Church appoints Mary Bowen as Church Safeguarding Adults Representative and as Church Safeguarding Children Coordinator and supports her them in her role which is to:
i) support and advise the minister, wardens and stewards in fulfilling their roles
ii) provide a point of reference to advise on safeguarding issues
iii) Liaise with Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinators
iv) promote safeguarding best practice within the local church with the support of ministers.
a) Purpose
The purposes of this safeguarding policy are to ensure procedures are in place and people are clear about roles and responsibilities for vulnerable adults in our care and using our premises.
b) Good Practice
We believe good practice means that:
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 note of this will be made and kept noting date, time and place of visit.
iii) The church premises will be assessed for safety for children 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 or vulnerable adults will be checked to ensure the vehicle is suitable and insured and that the driver and escort are appropriate.
v) Promotion of safeguarding is recognised to include undertaking those tasks which enable all God’s people to reach their full potential. The Joint 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.
c) Appointment and training of workers
Workers will be appointed after a satisfactory DBS disclosure. Each worker will be expected to undergo basic safeguarding training, within the first year of appointment. The other training needs of each worker will be considered (e.g. food hygiene, first aid, lifting and handling, etc.) and each worker will have an annual review conducted by a named member of the Joint Church Council and another worker within the organisation.
d) Events with church groups off the premises
Adequate staffing will be ensured for such events. Notification of the event will be given to .Mary Bowen.
e) Other groups on church premises
Where the building is hired for outside use, the person signing the letting agreement [which should include Safeguarding Form E],[2] will be given a copy of this policy.
f) Complaints procedure
It is hoped that complaints can generally be dealt with internally by the organisations. However, a complaint may be made to a person who will be appointed by the Joint Church Council and who is currently Mary Bowen. If a complaint is made to another person, it should be passed to Mary Bowen who will liaise with the diocesan team in the current absence of and incumbent
g) Review
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Joint Church Council. The date of the next review is May 2023
h) Key concepts and definitions
i) Vulnerable Adults: any adult aged 18 or over who, by reason of mental or other disability, age, illness or other situation is permanently or for the time being unable to take care of her or himself, or to protect her or himself from significant harm or exploitation.
ii) Safeguarding and protecting children or vulnerable adults from maltreatment; preventing impairment of their health and ensuring safe and effective care.
iii) Adult/child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This refers to the activity which is undertaken to protect children/specific adults who are suffering or are at risk of suffering significant harm, including neglect.
iv) 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.