This statement was adopted by St. Stephen the Martyr at a Parochial Church Council meeting held on 13th February 2019.
this policy will be reviewed each year to monitor the progress which has been achieved.
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.
As members of this parish we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults and children to whom we minister.
We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.
We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.
The parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.
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.
We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable.
The parish is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who may be vulnerable.
The parish adopts the guidelines of the Church of England and the Diocese.
To meet these requirements the PCC agree that;
We recognise that a position of power in relation to another creates a risk of vulnerability. As a consequence, we strive to ensure that we consider power when working and leading with people.
We recognise that children, by virtue of legal status and dependency on adults for their emotional and physical needs, will always be vulnerable and at a disadvantage. We commit to considering this in our children's activities and groups as a check and balance in our work.
We understand that illness, disability, race, mental health and other issues can put adults in a position of vulnerability. We accept that these can be long term (ongoing), or temporary. We commit to considering this in our adults activities and events - undertaking supervision of staff and risk assessing activities and groups as a check and balance in our work.
We commit to transparency in our actions and accountability for our work.
We will consider issues relating to spiritual care in prayer activity, ensuring that members of our prayer team consider power, control and spiritual abuse issues in their ministry.
We will ensure that leaders of our children's Sunday schools and house groups as well as other ministries that involve working with vulnerable persons have appropriate enhanced DBS checks that are updated every five years.
We will ensure that those who care for people in our parish attend appropriate safeguarding training.
We commit to discuss safeguarding and support to of safeguarding as a standing PCC agenda item.
Safeguarding including revision of policy will be a regular PCC agenda item and agree that whilst we have a named co-ordinator, we will accept collective ownership for this important issue.
We will be transparent, open and not have secrets.
We will consider the impact of power, disadvantage, inclusion, disability, age and race on how we provide and plan for our ministry.
We will actively (but appropriately), challenge each other in our work in order to ensure we consider a wide range of perspectives and views - ensuring that we do not oppressively impose our own values or views to anothers detriment.
Where a person struggles with an activity due to disadvantage, disability or illness we will assist them so they can participate and contribute as a full part of the church.
We will not collude, keep secrets or make decisions when we have suspicion of abuse. We will seek through discussion the views of others and ensure through use of external agencies and the diocese safeguarding service that we engage and welcome external perspectives in order to promote a healthy accountable culture.
We will report without bias to our personal view. We will report and not investigate.
We will record concerns factually in diocese suggested formats(as per recording with care policy 2017).
We will not take chances with the welfare of children or vulnerable adults.
We are open to scrutiny and encourage this in others.
We have zero tolerance to abuse and put the welfare of vulnerable children and adults first.
Our incumbent will undertake to ensure that to the best of his or her knowledge all PCC members, wardens and ministry leaders are of good standing.
The PCC undertakes to appoint and upskill a dedicated safeguarding co-ordinator.
Safeguarding co-ordination undertakes to maintain a relationship with diocese level safeguarding team and ensure that this policy is followed.
The Parish will report and record in line with Diocese policies and comply with local guidance for implementing national policies as defined in diocese policies. These include the diocese safeguarding policy, recording with care policy, social media policy and safer recruitment policy.
10. Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these reccomendations and the guidelines established by this church.
Those working with vulnerable adults or children will sign a declaration to state that they have read and agree to abide by the points outlined in this policy.
This church appoints Mrs P Toft to represent the concerns and views of vulnerable people at our meetings and to outside bodies as parish safeguarding co-ordinator.