Safeguarding

St Margaret’s is committed to Safeguarding and has adopted the National and Diocesan Safeguarding Policies. Our Safeguarding Coordinator is Jean Ainsworth who can be contacted on 01270 820532.
 

STATEMENT ON THE CARE OF ADULTS IN THE CHURCH

St. Margaret’s Church, Betley.

2022 Safeguarding Policy and Procedures Document on Safeguarding, Children, Young People and Adults

 

Since July 2015 the PCC has had a combined Safeguarding Policy to cover children, young people and vulnerable adults, in keeping with Lichfield Diocesan Guidelines. The Safeguarding Policy and Procedures Document Policy was last reviewed at the July 2022 meeting.

It is useful to remind ourselves of the particular needs of adults and what our commitments to adults are as a Church of caring people and to those using the Reading Room.

  1. Everyone has different levels of vulnerability and each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.
  2. Respectful pastoral care should be available to all adults to whom we minister.
  3. The need to provide formal Safeguarding is covered by the Safeguarding Policy July 2022 and is intended to protect those who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well being in the life of this church.
  4. All those in positions of trust will be made aware of the Health and Safety Policies and the need for safe practices in the Church.
  5. Vulnerable persons should be able to find inclusion and empowerment in our community, including the sick and those with disabilities
  6. It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of vulnerable people and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect, to the Safeguarding Officer.
    In particular we aim to be aware of the following 3 groups in particular:

    1. St. Margaret’s Church is now designated as a Dementia Friendly Church and is entitled to use the Forget Me Not Logo. Linda Hough, with Jennifer Walton are now leading this work. Several members of the congregation have undertaken training.  We aim to provide a ‘dementia friendly environment’. Various changes to how we manage the church environment to make it easier to use and safer, eg clear labelling of the entry/exit of the toilet. There is also a notice board and useful information available. It is 3 years since we gained Dementia friendly status and we will work towards renewing the certificate.
    2. We will also ensure people with any disability get help and support. We aim to have an open church and review our arrangements for ensuring easy access to the building and the worship for everyone. The Audio system is up to date with a ‘loop system. The Lighting System has been upgraded, which has improved ease of movement round the church as well as making reading easier.
    3. As a community we are aware that Domestic Abuse takes many forms and is very common and may include social media. There is a list of definitions for what constitutes abuse at any age and what to look for. In the first instance the Safeguarding Officer may be approached and will aim to direct people to the appropriate local agencies.
    4. From time to time we may find that an ex offender wishes to join our church. In that case we would liaise with Diocesan Advisory Coordinator and follow the guidelines provided in the Safeguarding Handbook. If it is felt that anyone joining our congregation poses a risk to others, we would follow the same procedure.
  7. Only appropriate people should work with those who may be vulnerable.
  8. The same support, resources, and training, will be offered to those who undertake work with adults who may be vulnerable, in the same way as work with children is managed and reviewed. This may include for example pastoral visitors. The PCC will be responsible for identifying such training.
  9. The parish adopts the guidelines of the Church of England and the Diocese.
  10. Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this church.

 

The Safeguarding officer appointed by the PCC will represent the concerns and views of vulnerable people at our meetings and to outside bodies as required.

APPROVED by PCC 20th July 2022

 

SAFEGUARDING POLICY and PROCEDURES

St. Margaret’s Church Betley

Reviewed and approved by the PCC 20th July 2022

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St. Margaret’s Church Betley will take all reasonable care to ensure the safety of the children, young people and vulnerable adults for whom it bears responsibility.

 

Procedures

  1. There will be a

    Safeguarding Co-ordinator – Jennifer Walton was reappointed for Safeguarding Co-ordinator for 2022/2023. The safeguarding coordinator is the point of contact through which concerns about child protection or the protection of vulnerable adults will be channelled.
    Deputy Safeguarding Co-ordinator – Revd. Tim Watson will continue in this role 2022/2023.
    NB The appointments are usually reviewed soon after the APCM, but are not for a fixed period of time and can be reviewed and a new appointment made at any time. To be reviewed at the July PCC meeting

  2. The Co-ordinator and Deputy are responsible to the P.C.C. for ensuring that these procedures are implemented.
  3. The P.C.C. will work towards compliance with
    1. The Diocese of Lichfield Handbook 2021
    2. Safeguarding 2021 Policy and Guidance(2017) as amended 2021.
    3. Safer Recruitment Policy 2022. Up to date guidance on DBS checks and Safeguarding Training will be followed
  4. The PCC will ensure full compliance with Health and Safety Guidelines as laid out in St. Margaret’s Health and Safety Policy 2015, and adopted by the PCC March 2016, and reviewed annually.
  5. The PCC is directly responsible for the following groups which may include children, young people and adults:-
    • Church Choir
    • Earlybirds or such Sunday Groups as may be developed and those church members who assist at Praise and Play at All Saints’ Madeley, will also comply with this policy
    • Bell Ringers
    • Occasional activities, such as Holiday Club, short courses, or social activities under the auspices of the Church
    • Sunday Youth Group
    • Activities in the Reading Room, including Fellowship Groups and St. Margaret’s lunches
  6. The PCC is responsible for ensuring that outside bodies eg School or visiting choirs using the Church have their own safeguarding policies or adopt our policy for the event.

    7. The Co-ordinator will similarly advise the Reading Room Committee of their responsibilities to ensure
    Safeguarding policies are in place for any outside organisations or groups, which might use this facility.

  7. All new leaders and others as determined, working with children, young people or vulnerable adults will be validated (DBS) on appointment. They must
    • be over 18, young people under 18 may assist in leadership roles, but must be supervised at all times.
    • complete the Confidential Parish Declaration based on the Lichfield Diocesan guideline.
    • provide two references using the Child Protection Policy Form as appropriate.
    • apply for and supply clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service before taking up post and every three years thereafter. Only the applicant will receive hard copy through the post of the outcome. The outcome of the Criminal Record disclosure will only be seen by the Safeguarding Administrators at the Diocese. If the record is not clear following evaluation the incumbent or designated person will be advised as to the suitability of the applicant for the role applied for.
    • Confidential Declarations will continue to be carried out locally and a record kept by the Safeguarding Co-ordinator or incumbent.

    Existing leaders and others working with children and young people must

    • have completed the Parish Declaration based on the Lichfield Diocesan Guideline
    • apply for and supply clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau every three years.
  8. Only suitable and responsible people may become church key holders, references may be taken up in accordance with the Safer Recruitment Policy, and Parish Declarations completed as necessary. Access and Usage of Church Buildings will be monitored as far as is reasonably possible. All authorised ministers and other workers defined in the Policies specified at 3 above for Safeguarding Children will also satisfy the requirements of 7 above.
  9. All Parish Declarations and references are held securely by the incumbent or safeguarding coordinator. DBS records/outcomes are held by the Diocese and the incumbent informed as necessary.

    10. The P.C.C. will use the Disclosure and Barring Service for checking the records of relevant personnel. This procedure can only be done on line, through CCPAS, now known as Thirtyone:eight, the agency which now deals with these matters. Jennifer Walton – Safeguarding 0fficer can provide guidance on this procedure and is an authorised local verifier, in respect of the identification process.

  10. Usually at its May meeting or next convenient meeting annually the PCC will, with the assistance of the Safeguarding Co-ordinator
    1. review and endorse the list of all validated leaders working with children, young people or vulnerable adults; this to include Churchwardens and authorised ministers.
    2. review the roles, support and training for those leaders.
    3. review the working pattern, venue and age range of all groups who may be at risk.
    4. review the risks to people in those groups
    5. satisfy itself that written parental/carer permission is always obtained for certain physical activities and for transport on trips.
    6. issue clear guidelines for avoiding situations where children/adults could be in danger, via the Health and Safety Policy

    A-F be carried out by the Incumbent, and Safeguarding coordinator guided by the FYCM Minister and reported to the PCC

  11. Mixed age activities
    e.g. bellringing and church choir; there are no junior ringers or singers at this time, but it is open to children aged about 10 and above. Hopefully there will be new recruits to these activities and relevant DBS checks and risk assessments carried out at that time
    Responsibilities of validated leaders

    • To manage their activity with the interests and protection of children as paramount.
    • To observe and monitor interaction between adults and children in the group.
    • To monitor the behaviour of new members, particularly those whose background is unknown.
    • To raise any matter of concern regarding the behaviour of an adult or child promptly with the incumbent or Safeguarding Co-ordinator.

    Responsibilities of the Safeguarding Coordinator

    1. To ensure that validated leaders of these activities are made aware of their specific responsibilities listed above.
    2. To ensure that newly appointed validated leaders are made specifically aware, on appointment, of the potential for undesirable adults to seek access to their activity.
    3. The PCC will provide leaders and those working in Safeguarding access to guidance and training in the understanding of child/vulnerable adult abuse. All members of the PCC may access the guidance documents listed above, on line or hard copy from the Coordinator.
  12. The P.C.C. will publish on the Church Notice Board and in the Reading Room a copy of the Diocesan Child
    Protection Flow Chart and all validated leaders will be given a copy. PCC members will also be provided with a copy.
  13. The PCC will work to Section 2 of the Lichfield Diocese Child Protection Policy.
    • In all ‘children only’ activities there must be at least two adults present, one of whom should be a validated leader.
    • In all ‘mixed age’ activities there must always be two validated leaders present.
    • Those working with children and young people will have the appropriate level of Safeguarding Training
  14. The P.C.C. will carry public liability insurance and will insure all leaders and staff for personal accident.
  15. The P.C.C. will make a copy of this policy and its procedures available to the Archdeacon on request or at his/her visitation.

    16. This policy will be kept under review by the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, who will report monthly to the P.C.C. The P.C.C. will review the policy and all its procedures annually at a PCC meeting. If members are happy with any changes they can be approved then or if necessary after discussion at a later meeting. Safeguarding will be an agenda item at each PCC meeting as part of the Health and Safety review.