OUR POLICY STATEMENT ON SAFEGUARDING

‘It is everybody’s duty to safeguard all members of the church community, of all ages. It is the responsibility of everyone to prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of all.’

2. PLAN TO MINIMISE SITUATIONS WHERE ABUSE MAY OCCUR.

Few people actually wish to harm children, young people or vulnerable adults but we must be aware of the risk at all times and reduce the opportunities for abuse to take place.

For children and young people, we will:

 Inform all parents that they are responsible for their children until the time that they have transferred their child to the care of a member of staff or leader.

 Inform all parents of the expected finishing time of an activity, at which time they assume responsibility for their own children.

 Arrange that, as far as possible, no adult is left alone with a child or young person where there is little chance of the activity being observed by others. This may mean groups sharing a large space or working with adjoining doors open. A lone volunteer should tell someone else that he or she is working unaided.

 Make sure that no worker with children and young people meets with a child or young person off church premises without a parent or other adult being present.

 Never take a group off the premises with fewer than two adults.

 Aim to have two adults with a group, particularly when there is only one activity taking place on church premises.

 Not expect children or young people to have to walk along a dark unsupervised path to get to a church hall or other premises.

 Ensure that, as far as possible, when children have to be transported by car or minibus, there will be more than one passenger in the vehicle.

For vulnerable adults, we will:

 Recognize that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us mayb be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.

 Commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults to whom we minister.

 Commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well being in the life of this church.

 Commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.

 Promote the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.

 Ensure 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.

 Exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable.

 Commit ourselves to supporting, resourcing,training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who may be vulnerable.

 Adopt the guidelines of the Chuch of England and the Bristol Diocese.

 Ensure each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this Church.

3. NOMINATED FIRST CONTACT FOR SAFEGUARDING ISSUES

A named person (or persons) will be available to children, young people and vulnerable adults to talk to if they feel they have been abused in any way.

Christ Church and St. Mary’s appoints Mrs Pamela Bridgeman, telephone number 521408.

This person has been given guidelines on how she should respond to a child or young person’s disclosure. Contact will be by telephone ONLY. Her telephone number will be displayed on a poster in the church with the message:

‘Want someone to talk to?

Ring Pamela on 521408’

When there is a membership or joining form for an activity involving children, young people or vulnerable adults, then the above contact information will be displayed on that. The number of Childline will also be displayed 0800 1111

All workers/helper/leaders must know the contact name and telephone number.

The contact person must be consulted annually for their comments and to check on continued activity.

Christ Church and St Mary’s also appoints Nitin Shinde as our adviser on vulnerable people.