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Safeguarding Statement & Policy

St John’s United Reformed Church Orpington is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk, and to ensure their well being. We have both a Safeguarding Statement & Policy that are outlined below

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is taken seriously by St John’s URC, Orpington.
We define safeguarding as the promotion of the safety and welfare of children and adults who are at risk of, or experiencing, harm, abuse or neglect in all forms. We acknowledge children’s and adults’ right to protection from any form of abuse or neglect regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage/civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity.
Therefore, as members and workers of the church, we are committed to:

the care and nurture of all children and adults

the safeguarding and protection of all children and adults at risk

the establishment of a loving church environment which is safe and caring for all people and

where the dignity of each person is respected

an informed vigilance about the dangers of all forms of abuse, harm and neglect within all aspects of work in the Church, and how to respond appropriately

working with statutory agencies, voluntary organisations and other churches.
This means that we will:
Carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of Disclosure and Barring checks.
Respond without delay to every concern, incident or complaint which suggests that a child or adult has been harmed, or is at risk of harm, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
Seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry
of informed pastoral care.
Seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
Seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child or adult.
Review our safeguarding policy, practices and procedures annually. Follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.
Signed Jackie Pasifull Dated: 29th February 2024
Name: Jackie Pasifull
(on behalf of the Elders at St John’s)

St Johns URC Safeguarding Policy

Important notice

(This document is supported by the following seven main appendices, all can be found on the URC website or by request from our safeguarding team)

A1 – Safeguarding policy statement 
A2 – The role of a Safeguarding Co-ordinator
A3 – Code of conduct for working with children or young people
A4 – Code of conduct for working with adults at risk
A5 – Safeguarding incident recording form 
A6 – Signs and symptoms of abuse 
A7 – Guidance on safeguarding for Local Ecumenical Partnerships

All appendices can be found here: https://urc.org.uk/good-practice-policy-and-procedures.html

Or ask a member of the safeguarding team

Aim and purpose of this policy

The aim of this policy is to ensure that protecting people from abuse, harm or neglect is central to our culture. It provides procedures for promoting safeguarding, preventing abuse and protecting children, adults at risk and staff. This includes clear procedures for taking appropriate action when safeguarding concerns are raised.

Who this policy applies to

This policy is approved and endorsed by the Elders and applies to:

  • All members of our church
  • All those who attend and serve our church/place of worship and its services
  • Our Trustees and Elders
  • Paid staff (both internal and external eg contractors or consultants)
  • Volunteers
  • Organisations and groups which hire our building with written agreement to operate under the church safeguarding policy.

Principles underpinning the policy

  • Our theology and values
  • Our commitment to put the welfare of children and adults at risk first
  • A willingness to be open and listen
  • A commitment to comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

Definitions

The term ‘children’ refers to those under the age of 18 years.
The term ‘adult at risk’ refers to any adult aged 18 or over who, by reason of mental or other disability, age, illness or other situation, are permanently, or for the time being, unable to take care of themselves, or to protect themselves against significant harm, abuse or exploitation.


Duty of care and confidentiality

We have a duty of care to all beneficiaries of the church, whether adults, children or young people. We will always maintain confidentiality, except in circumstances where to do so would place the individual or another individual at risk of harm or abuse.


Creating a safer culture

We are committed to creating a safer culture in our church which will help us to prevent harm
from occurring and provide an environment in which all can flourish.
In line with Chapter two of Good Practice 6, we will:

  • Appoint two Church Safeguarding Coordinators and ensure contact details are available for anyone to report a concern
  • Have a safeguarding policy which is reviewed annually and updated when necessary
    Issue Date: February 2024: Original Doc in Safeguarding Folder
  • Practice safer recruitment procedures for paid and volunteer roles
  • Ensure all those working with children and/or adults at risk are given copies of relevant Codes of Conduct
  • Follow the requirements of the training framework
  • Comply with legal requirements in respect of data protection
  • Complete the Annual Church Safeguarding Return
  • Ensure safeguarding is a regular agenda item for church and Elders’ meetings

Ensuring safer activities

Whilst it is not possible to guard against every eventuality, we are committed to providing as safe
an environment as possible for activities both on and off church premises.
In line with Chapter three of Good Practice 6, we will:

  • Ensure appropriate insurance is in place for buildings and activities
  • Consider the implications of data protection and health and safety requirements for
  • specific activities
  • Carry out risk assessments for relevant activities or events
  • Ensure adequate staffing for activities and that leaders have suitable training, are aware of
  • relevant guidance and agree to follow relevant Codes of Conduct
  • Ensure the hirer’s agreement is in place for other organisations using church premises
  • Seek advice from the Synod Safeguarding Officer for complex or sensitive risks.

Recognising and responding to concerns

We acknowledge that, although promoting Safer Culture and Safer Activities will help to protect all those in contact with the church, some concerns will inevitably arise and we are committed to responding well in such circumstances.
In line with Chapter four of Good Practice 6, we will:

  • Promote awareness of different kinds of abuse, other vulnerabilities and types of
  • safeguarding concern
  • Seek to create a ‘listening culture’ and help people develop listening skills to respond appropriately in situations where sensitive information is disclosed
  • Inform the Synod Safeguarding Officer as a minimum of any situations where involvement
  • from statutory services is/may be required
  • Share information with statutory services as appropriate and co-operate with them during any investigations
  • Report any serious safeguarding incident to the Charity Commission and notify the Synod
  • Safeguarding Officer.

Managing allegations and people who may pose a risk to others

Where allegations are made against individuals within the Church, we are committed to following all required investigative and regulatory procedures. We will work in collaboration with the Synod, wider Church staff, statutory agencies and other relevant organisations.
In line with Chapter five of Good Practice 6, we will:

  • Co-operate fully with any investigative or disciplinary procedures
  • Inform the Synod Safeguarding Officer immediately on becoming aware of anyone in the church who may present a risk to others
  • Issue Date: February 2024: Original Doc in Safeguarding Folder
  • Work with the Synod Safeguarding Officer and contribute relevant information for risk
  • assessments
  • Alert the Synod Safeguarding Officer or statutory agencies to known breaches of a
  • safeguarding agreement.

Supporting victims and survivors
The key principle underpinning our policy and practice in this area is that all those who have experienced abuse, whether recently or in the past ‘will be listened to and offered the pastoral care and support they deem appropriate and relevant, irrespective of type of abuse, context, or when this occurred’ (General Assembly policy statement 2021).
In line with Chapter six of Good Practice 6, we will:

  • Recognise that the Elders’ meeting has responsibility for provision of pastoral care
  • Be aware of local support services that people can be referred or directed to
  • Ensure those in relevant roles attend appropriate training
  • Seek advice from the Synod Safeguarding Officer about provision of appropriate support
  • when necessary.

Key contacts
Church Safeguarding Coordinators:

Jackie Pasifull (07920 236566) and Tina Wheeler (07818 390995) Joint Email: safeguarding@stjohnsurc.org.uk

Synod Safeguarding Officer:

Belinda Herbert – 07716 640596 Email: safeguarding@urcsouthern.org.uk

URC Safeguarding Office (This should only be used if you are unable to contact your Synod Safeguarding Office) Email: safeguarding@urc.org.uk


Local statutory services: Children – 8.30am – 5pm Mon-Fri 0208 461 7373 or 0208 461 7379
Contact details, including an out of hours number: 0300 303 8671
Local statutory services: Adults – 8.30am to 5pm Mon-Fri 0208 461 7777
Contact details, including an out of hours number: 0300 303 8671

Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, updated as required and adopted by the church meeting.

Date of most recent review: February 2024
Date of next review: February 2025
Signed by: Jackie Pasifull
(On behalf of the church Elders)