The Parishes of Sawtry, Glatton and Holme with Conington
Parish Safeguarding Policy 2023-2024
Each parish must have a safeguarding policy, which should be displayed clearly in the church, on any website or achurchnearyou.com and any other public church premises.
The safeguarding policy states our commitment to the safeguarding of our vulnerable people. The welfare of any person who feels vulnerable – child or adult - must always be held paramount, no matter how uncomfortable that may be because only in that way can we create a church that is safer for everyone
This policy statement on safeguarding children and adults in the Church was adopted by
The Parish of All Saints, Sawtry, The Parish of St Nicolas, Glatton and The Parish of St Giles, Holme.
This policy was agreed at the Benefice Parochial Church Council meeting held on 04/02/2023
The Parochial Church Council listed above recognises the need to safeguard the children, young people and adults in our care and guard against the possibility of any form of abuse of children, young people and adults by persons who may be acting in the name of our parish. We aim to create a safe environment for the nurture and development of children, young people and adults, in order for them to feel valued and confident to ask for support and help. We will create policies and procedures that uphold the importance of our responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults entrusted to our care. A Parish Safeguarding Officer will be appointed to ensure the implementation of this policy.
- We commit to providing a safe physical environment for work with children, young people and adults
- We recognize that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.
- As members of this parish we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults to whom we minister.
- We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.
- We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.
- The parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.
- We commit to informing the whole church community about our safeguarding policy and procedures and recognise that it is the responsibility of each of us to prevent and report abuse that we discover or suspect.
- We will ensure the children, young people and adults in our care know who they can talk to if they have any concerns.
- We recognise our responsibility to always respond to and report abuse in whatever context, inside or outside the church environment and will always listen to and take seriously any child, young person or adult who reports that they have been abused in any way.
- We will always report allegations of abuse and concerns about a child, young person or an adult who is experiencing or at risk of abuse due to their, illness or disability in accordance with our procedures.
- We will always report all allegations of abuse against Church Officers* to the appropriate statutory agency and to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and co-operate with any investigation.
- We will keep records in relation to safeguarding concerns, allegations and the recruitment of volunteers and paid workers securely.
- We commit to the safe recruitment of all new and current Church Officers* who have contact with children, young people and adults experiencing or at risk of abuse due to their, illness or disability.
- We will assess all new and current Church Officer* roles and, in every case where the role is deemed to be eligible, apply for an appropriate level criminal record check every five years
- We commit to providing every Church Officer* with clear instructions and information in respect of their role, adequate resources and support and regular opportunities for review.
- We will ensure that all Church Officers* working with children, young people and adults experiencing or at risk of abuse due to their age illness disability or are in a trusted role attend Church of England safeguarding training every three years.
- We will inform the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, and ensure appropriate supervision, of anyone who is known to have offended against a child, young person or an adult at risk of abuse due to their age, illness or disability who attends activities organised by the Parish Church Councils of Sawtry, Glatton and Holme and will follow all recommendations of the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser in this regard.
- We require all hirers of our premises to acknowledge and adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures as displayed and provided with the hires contract. (signed copies of contract will be retained for our record).
- The parish adopts the policy and practice guidance of The Church of England and Ely Diocese
- The policy will be reviewed each year to monitor the progress which has been achieved.
- We will review our safeguarding policy annually to ensure that it meets all current legislation, House of Bishops and The Church of England – Ely policies and practice guidance.
- Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this church and sign appropriate documentation that would be retained for our records.
The PCC appoints Cheryll Elmer to represent the concerns and views of vulnerable people at our meetings and to outside bodies as the Parish Safeguarding Officer.
The PCC appoints Cheryll Elmer and George (Alex) Dyball as a Parish ID Checker to process online Disclosure and Barring Service applications
Date 04/02/2023
This policy will be reviewed by the Safeguarding Officer and be presented to the PCC no later than one year from the agreement date of this policy.
* A ‘Church Officer’ is anyone appointed by or on behalf of the Church to a post or role, whether they are ordained or lay, paid or unpaid. The parish should provide details of how the above policy statements will be implemented in the parish.