The Elders Meeting of St Margaret’s URC South Shields has resolved that the church’s Safeguarding Policy will follow, to the letter, the policy that has been accepted by the Northern Synod of the URC. That Policy is set out in full below.
St Margaret’s Safeguarding Officer is Mrs Hazel Singleton Tel: 0191 456 4850
Safeguarding is taken seriously by Northern Synod. We have two key responsibilities in this
respect. Firstly, to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk within our own activities and
events, and secondly to assure ourselves that local churches within the Synod have appropriate
safeguarding arrangements in place.
We agree that children, young people and adults have a right to live in a way that does not cause
them harm or impede their human rights. We therefore acknowledge their right to protection from
abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs. We consider that, in
accordance with legislation, the welfare of children is paramount. We will follow legislation,
statutory guidance and recognised good practice. We believe that domestic abuse in all its forms is
unacceptable and inconsistent with a Christian way of living.
A revised Synod Safeguarding Policy was accepted by Synod in October 2018
MEET OUR SYNOD SAFEGUARDING OFFICER:
Helen Berg
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07432886153
The Safeguarding Officer is available to provide guidance upon any safeguarding situation faced by the churches, as well as to offer information and advice about safeguarding matters in our synod.
The Safeguarding Advisor is available to provide guidance upon any safeguarding situation faced by the churches, as well as to offer training, information and advice about safeguarding matters in our synod.
Download Synod Safeguarding Policy
https://urc.org.uk/safeguarding/
– this takes you to reference material, policies and draft templates. Everything you need to know should be here!
URC website pages dealing with recruitment and selection issues and DBS applications
St Margaret’s Safeguarding Policy
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
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 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 children or adults. 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 a Church Safeguarding Coordinator and ensure contact details are available for anyone to report a concern
- Have a safeguarding policy which is reviewed annually and updated when necessary
- 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’
- 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
- 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
- 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 Coordinator
Name and contact details:
Hazel Singleton
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 07724246825
Synod Safeguarding Officer
Name and contact details:
Helen Berg
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 07432886153
URC Safeguarding Office (This should only be used if you are unable to contact your Synod Safeguarding Office)
Email: [email protected]
Local statutory services: Children
Contact details:
Tel: 0191 424 5010 (office hours)
Tel: 0191 456 2093 (out of office hours)
Local statutory services: Adults
Contact details:
Tel: 0191 424 6000 (office hours)
Tel: 0191 456 2093 (out of office hours)
Local Authority Designated Officer/Designated Officer/Designated Officer for safeguarding
Contact details:
Tel: 0191 424 7340
- Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, updated as required and adopted by the church meeting.
Date of most recent review: 2nd Feb 2024
Date of next review: 31st Jan 2025
Signed by: Penny Maccoy (Church Secretary)
(On behalf of the church Elders)