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.
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
Here are the appendices safeguarding synod policy appendices
SYNOD SAFEGUARDING ADVISOR:
Mr Mark Knowles. Tel: 0776152559
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