Safeguarding
St Hugh and St John is a local ecumenical partnership; this means we are both Church of England (Diocese of St Albans) and Methodist (Beds, Esses and Herts Methodist District) . For safeguarding purposes we follow Methodist procedures.
The Methodist Church is committed to safeguarding as an integral part of its life and ministry. Safeguarding is about the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture.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 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.
Although safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone. If you have a safeguarding concern you can phone or email Greta Gardiner, our Safeguarding officer directly (t. 07597 765 261 or [email protected] ), or fill out a safeguarding referral form. Forms are in the First Aid cupboard in the kitchen and once filled out should be put in a sealed envelope and given to a member of the safeguarding team or Chandy Perera, Clare Farthing, Susan Clark or David Belton - this information is confidential and should not be shared with anyone
Two very useful links:
The Methodist Church's connexional safeguarding information can be found here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding/
Beds, Essex and Herts Methodist District guidelines can be found here: https://www.behdistrict.org.uk/Groups/191708/BEH_District/Safeguarding/Safeguarding.aspx(More information about safeguarding in the Diocese of St. Albans can be found here: https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/diocese/safeguarding)