Safeguarding Policy

The Parish of St Thomas and St James Worsbrough is committed to high standards in the safeguarding and care of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Our Safeguarding Officer is Irene Hill, and our Parish Safeguarding Policy can be read in full here.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

Parish of St Thomas and St James Worsbrough

Statement of Aims

Our aims are:

• To enable young people to experience the love of God

• To encourage a strong Christian fellowship

• To encourage young people to take a full part in the Church’s life and worship

• To provide a safe meeting place for young people

• To encourage young people to become responsible adults

• To promote equality of opportunity for all

This document covers the work of this parish with children and young people in its services

This policy also covers any work undertaken outside of the church buildings carried out under the auspices of the PCC

Policy Statement

This PCC adopts the policy statement of the Diocese and will display it prominently in all church premises. The PCC expects all church workers to follow its Safeguarding Children Policy and Guidelines and will display them in a prominent place.

Application of the Policy

All new workers, whether paid or voluntary, working for church-based organisations, will be informed of the policy by the Vicar, the Safeguarding Children representative or the group leader. All children’s workers will be expected to accept the policy and guidelines and work according to their requirements.

All new members of the PCC will be required to accept the policy and guidelines. The PCC will appoint a group to oversee the policy and guidelines, and they will be placed on the Agenda of the PCC at least annually for review.

The PCC will appoint a Safeguarding Children Representative and will inform the diocesan office of their details.

Church Premises

Any organisation booking the use of church premises will be informed of the need to observe the Policy via a statement on the Booking Form. They should be expected to confirm they have a Safeguarding Children policy and appropriate insurance. Individuals booking church premises for private functions will have the policy drawn to their attention and accept their responsibility for protecting children at that function.

Recruitment

The PCC will follow the recruitment process included in the Safeguarding Children Policy. References, the Confidential Declaration and a DBS disclosure via the Diocesan system will be obtained. Appointment to any post, paid or voluntary, will not be made until these processes are complete. All appointments will be made on a conditional basis until the completion of a satisfactory probationary period. All those working with children and young people will follow the good practice guidelines in the Diocesan Safeguarding Children Policy and Guidelines.

Registration and Parental Consent

All groups will keep a register of those attending each session. Parental consent forms, including emergency contact details, must be completed for all participants, and must be available to group leaders whenever the group meets. This applies to all groups, whether meeting on church premises or elsewhere.

Parental consent to photographs and videos must be obtained, using the consent form and principles in the diocesan guidelines.

Insurance

The PCC will ensure that there is adequate insurance cover for all activities involving children and young people.

Fire Regulations and Security

All group leaders will be aware of fire regulations and the positions of fire extinguishers. They will be vigilant as to the presence of anyone on the premises during the meetings of the groups. They should know who to contact in an emergency relating to the building.

Food and Hygiene

If any group is involved in the preparation or selling of food, at least one leader should have completed the food hygiene and food safety course to ensure good practice is followed.

First Aid and Accidents

Each group should have at least one adult present who has attended a basic course on first aid. There should be a properly stocked first aid kit accessible to each group. In the event of any accident, an incident and accident report form should be completed. This should be kept securely in a marked file. Parents should also be informed of any accident.

Providing an Independent Person

Children and young people should have the opportunity to raise any concerns about any health and safety or safeguarding matters. A notice will be placed on the noticeboard and/or entrance to church and to all church premises with the name of the parish Safeguarding Children Representative/Officer, Childline telephone number and of any other independent person the parish appoints to afford this opportunity.

Allegations

If an allegation is received concerning the behaviour of an adult, the diocesan Allegations Policy (a copy of which can be found in the Safeguarding Children Policy) will be followed.

Concerns About or Reported by a Child

This parish will follow the Diocesan Guidelines and report the concern to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, or to the appropriate Archdeacon. In an emergency or if the child is at immediate risk the appropriate statutory agencies will be informed. All such concerns or incidents should be recorded and kept in a confidential place.

Review

All children and young people’s workers will meet to review their work on at least an annual basis. This should include a review of safeguarding issues and health and safety issues relating to each group. Notification of this meeting should be reported to the PCC the Parish Safeguarding Children Representative/Officer will review the parish policy annually and report to the PCC, who will record this review in their minutes. The PCC will inform the Archdeacon via the visitation that this has been done. A copy of the current Parish Safeguarding Policy should be sent to the Archdeacon for inclusion in the parish file. A further copy should be sent if there are substantial amendments.

Training

Group leaders will be encouraged to attend the Safeguarding training provided by the Diocese. The parish will consider its training needs at the time it reviews the Safeguarding Policy. If specific needs are identified the parish will consult with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser to arrange a training event for the parish or group of parishes in the Deanery.

Use of Social Media

All those using social media, text messaging and email to communicate with children and young people must follow the diocesan guidelines.

Parish Policy Statement on Safeguarding Adults in the Church

This policy will be reviewed each year to monitor progress achieved.

1. We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.

2. As members of this parish we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults to whom we minister.

3. We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.

4. We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.

5. The parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.

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.

7. We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable.

8. The parish is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who may be vulnerable.

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.

This church appoints Irene Hill to represent the concerns and views of vulnerable people at our meetings and to outside bodies.