St Mary's is proud to be a part of the Diocese of St. Albans in the Church of England, whose Archbishops, Bishops, clergy and leaders are absolutely committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church.
Safeguarding means the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, work to prevent abuse from occurring, seek to protect those that are at risk of being abused and respond well to those that have been abused. We will take care to identify where a person may present a risk to others, and offer support to them whilst taking steps to mitigate such risks.
The Church of England affirms the ‘Whole Church’ approach to safeguarding. This approach encompasses a commitment to consistent policy and practice across all Church bodies, Church Officers and that everyone associated with the Church, who comes into contact with children, young people and adults, has a role to play.
The Church will take appropriate steps to maintain a safer environment for all and to practice fully and positively Christ’s Ministry towards children, young people and adults; to respond sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm.
Policy for Safeguarding Children 2018
Parish of Welwyn and Woolmer Green in the Church of England Diocese of St Albans
This Policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council Meeting held on 17 September 2018
We are committed to implementing a safeguarding children policy and accepting the Church of England Policy Protecting All God’s Children (4th edition 2010) and to be responsive to local parish requirements.
We will review and endorse the safeguarding policies annually so that all members are aware of their responsibilities.
The highest standards will be maintained in all the Church’s contacts with children and young people and adult volunteers will be given appropriate support and opportunities for training.
We will respond without delay to every complaint made that a child or young person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed.
This Parish will co‐operate fully with the statutory agencies in every situation and will not conduct its own investigations.
We will seek to offer informed pastoral care to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse.
We will care for and supervise any member of our church community known to have offended against a child.
The PCC acknowledges its responsibility for all work with children and young people done in the name of the Church and requires all those engaged in such work to be properly appointed and supported in accordance with the Church of England Practice Guidance: Safer Recruitment (July 2016).
We have appointed as our Parish Safeguarding Co‐ordinators:
Victoria Jenkin (Welwyn) [email protected] 07860 548686
Rachel Wadey (Woolmer Green) [email protected] 07929 492188
Two very useful links:
More information on the Church of England’s National Safeguarding can be found here: www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding
More information about Safeguarding in the Diocese of St. Albans can be found here: https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/diocese/safeguarding