The Benefice of Puddletown, Tolpuddle and Milborne St Andrew with Dewlish

Safeguarding Policy for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults

 

The members of the Parochial Church Councils (PCC) of The Puddletown Benefice adopted this policy between May and July 2021.

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We commit our church community to:

·         the care, support and nurture of all children, young people and adults.

·         the protection and safeguarding of all children, young people and vulnerable adults.

·         the establishment and provision of a safe, caring for all worship, activities and events.

 

We recognise that our work with children, young people and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of the whole church community.

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We are committed to acting in accordance with current legislation, guidance, national frameworks and the Diocese of Salisbury safeguarding framework and good practice guidelines.

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We will also endeavour to act in an open, transparent and accountable way in working in partnership with the diocesan safeguarding advisor, children, and adults social care services, the police, probation service and other agencies to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults, and assist in bringing to justice anyone who has committed an offence against them.

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We will ensure that all necessary checks are made to promote the safe selection and recruitment of ordained and lay ministers, paid workers and volunteers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults, and to provide the necessary supervision, support and training to them in order that they can undertake their roles effectively. We will adhere to the Safer Recruitment Practice Guidance 2016 published by the National Safeguarding Team and approved by the House of Bishops.

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We will ensure that everyone who works with children, young people and vulnerable adults has a current Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) certificate, and that these are renewed as necessary.

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We will respond without delay to any concern that is raised that a child, young person or vulnerable adult has been harmed or may be at risk from harm or abuse. In any investigation we will co-operate fully with the diocese and appropriate statutory agencies during any investigation into abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church community.

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We will offer appropriate pastoral care to anyone who has suffered abuse, and to their families if desired.

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We will ensure that care and supervision is provided to any member of the church community against whom an allegation has been made.

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We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral where necessary, to any members of the church community who is known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult, or who may pose a risk to them.

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We will keep a record of all those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults in church activities or on behalf of the church.

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We will ensure that all work with children, young people and vulnerable adults is adequately insured.

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We are committed to reviewing our Safeguarding Policy annually, and as part of this, to check that our parish safeguarding procedures, including DBS checks, are up to date and relevant. Our Policy will be endorsed at the first meeting of the PCC following the APCM so that new members are aware of their responsibilities and to confirm the existence of the parish policy.

 

The Benefice Safeguarding Representative and Verifier is:

The Revd Sarah Hillman        01305 848784             sarah.c.hillman@outlook.com