Safeguarding

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church and centre are committed to:

 

• Promoting a safer environment and culture.

• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church and the centre.

• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.

• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.

• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.

• Responding to those who may pose a present risk to others.

 

The Church and Community Centre will:

 

• Create a safe and caring place for all.

• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) and a named Centre Safeguarding Officer to work with the incumbent, the PCC and RCCDG trustees to implement policy and procedures.

• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.

• Recognise that we have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of children, young people and adults.

• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish and RCCDG.

• Display in the Centre premises and on the website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.

• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.

• Use our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately

• Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.

• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.

• Care for and monitor any member of the church community, and when officially notified about any other member of the public who may attend the Centre, who may pose a risk to children and adults, whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.

• Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually by both the PCC and RCCDG trustees.

• As outlined in the hiring policy, the Centre Manager will request sight of and maintain a copy of the Safeguarding Policies of regular hirers who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

• If hirers are informed of named individuals who may pose a risk to children or adults, they should inform the Centre Safeguarding Officer who will respond in line with this policy by notifying and consulting the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.

• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

 

Each person who works or volunteers within this church and community centre will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by St Faith’s PCC and RCCDG trustees.

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Parish Safeguarding Officer

The church appoints as the Parish Safeguarding Officer: Rose Henn-Macrae (safeguarding@stfaithscentre.uk)

 

Centre Safeguarding Officer

RCCDG appoints as Centre Safeguarding Officer: Chanice Maullin (Centre Manager) (manager@stfaithscentre.uk) 01622 430425

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The Safeguarding Officers will work closely together, sharing relevant information with each other and holding each other to account as they oversee the implementation of this Safeguarding Policy. They will record, store and use information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance.

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Incumbent: Revd Canon Arthur Houston

Churchwardens: Sue Shaw & Dale Nurden

RCCDG Chair of Trustees: Arthur Houston

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RCCDG is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (registered number 1154020), which manages and oversees the delivery of services and activities in the St Faith’s Centre, a new Church and Community Centre.

 

St Faith’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) and RCCDG have agreed to a shared Safeguarding Policy covering church and centre activities, based on the Church of England Safeguarding Policy. This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of St Faith’s PCC and RCCDG including the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers and sessional workers.