Meon Valley Methodist Circuit

Safeguarding Policy for Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults

 Copies of the Methodist Safeguarding policy dated April 2003 are on display in every circuit church together with the District Booklet.

 
1. Policy

 

As the people of the Meon Valley Circuit, situated within the Southampton District of the Methodist Church, we are concerned with the wholeness of each individual within God’s purposes for everyone. We seek to safeguard all members of the church community of all ages. It is the responsibility of each one of us to take all necessary steps to prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom we come into contact as a result of our ministry to them.

 

2. Circuit Responsibilities

 

The Meon Valley Circuit Meeting will discharge its responsibilities under this Policy by ensuring that the responsible Circuit officer/s complies with “guidance for the circuit meeting” P27 of Safeguarding dated April 2003 and in particular:

 

2.1 Ensuring that all Circuit Meeting members, officers, representatives and committee members are made aware of the terms of Standing Order (SO)10 of The Methodist Church Constitution, Procedure and Discipline (CPD) concerning the holding of office whether representational, liturgical or pastoral, and the requirements for working as a youth or children’s worker within the Church under the requirements of SO’s 606 and 660.

 

2.2 Circulating copies of this Policy to all Church Council Secretaries and any revisions that are adopted from time to time.

 

2.3 Ensuring that all Church Councils provide and implement their own Safeguarding Policies by conducting an annual audit of all Church Council Secretaries in order to determine the dates upon which Church Councils approved, amended or reviewed their safeguarding policies and that Safeguarding Form A has been duly completed by any volunteer worker and lodged with the Superintendent minister.

 

2.4 Ensuring that churches where there are known sex offenders present comply with Section 69 of Constitution Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church in setting up a support group, carrying out a risk assessment and entering into a written contract with the offender(s).

 

2.5 Supporting stewards and leaders in discharging Safeguarding responsibilities locally by providing appropriate resources and training opportunities.

 

2.6 Including Safeguarding as an agenda item for each Circuit Meeting.

 

2.7 Ensuring that the Good Practice Procedures in section 3 are established for Circuit Events and that those responsible for organizing and leading such events, receive adequate briefing and training.

 

2.8 Ensuring that the Circuit website and any local church website complies with the guidelines for creating a website as published on www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding

 

2.9 Monitor and evaluate this policy regularly in consultation with local churches. Ensure that any changes are adopted by the Circuit meeting and advised to Church Council secretaries and included in Circuit publications such as “In Touch”.

 

3. Good Practice Guidelines for Safeguarding at Circuit Events

 

As part of our commitment to children and young people together with their leaders and helpers, Circuit Events will operate under the Home Office ‘Safe from Harm Guidelines’ and, in particular, the following:-

 

3.1 Group activities should be supervised by at least two adults relating to the gender mix of the group.

 

3.2 In respect of the Circuit event all voluntary workers must either be approved by their Church Council under Safeguarding, and have completed a Safeguarding Form A, or be approved by the Superintendent minister and complete Safeguarding Form A in respect of the Circuit event. All approved voluntary workers must wear an identity badge.

 

3.3 No one should be left alone with a child or young person unobserved.

 

3.4 A minimum of two voluntary workers should accompany children and young people who have for some reason to leave the event without their parents or guardians being available.

 

3.5 Conduct and language should be appropriate to the Christian lifestyle.

 

3.6 For each Circuit event there will be a nominated person approved by the Circuit Meeting, who can be consulted in the event of suspected abuse.

 

3.7 Prior to the event taking place the event organizer (not necessarily the nominated persons) must complete a schedule, in the form set out in Appendix A, of all voluntary workers with any responsibility for the event and, prior to the event, hand a copy to the Superintendent Minister or in his or her absence the Circuit Stewards.

 

3.8 Comply with Good Practice guidelines for District Events (copies may be obtained from District Administrator, District Youth Officer and Taking Care Group Coordinator).

 

4. Preachers – Lay or Ordained

 

4.1 It is the responsibility of the Superintendent Minister to ensure that all members of the Local Preachers Meeting have completed the declarations required by the Methodist Church Safeguarding dated April 2003.

 

4.2 It is the responsibility of the Superintendent Minister to ensure that all preachers, lay or ordained, from other denominations meet Safeguarding requirements at least as stringent as the Methodist Safeguarding requirements and comply with their own denominations requirements where necessary.

 

5. Vulnerable Adults

 

The Meon Valley Methodist Circuit recognizes:

 

5.1 It’s responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of vulnerable adults;

 

5.1.1 The need to provide safe and caring environments for vulnerable adults;

 

5.1.2 That vulnerable adults can be the victims of physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, financial or material, and discriminatory abuse and neglect.

 

5.2 Vulnerable adults are those “whose independence and well-being would be at risk if they did not receive appropriate health and social care support. They include adults with physical, sensory and mental impairments and learning difficulties, howsoever those impairments have arisen eg whether present from birth or due to advancing age, chronic illness or injury. They also include carers: family and friends who provide personal assistance and care to adults on an unpaid basis.” [Safeguarding Adults 2005 – Association of Directors of Social Services].

 

5.3 The Circuit is committed to:

 

5.3.1 Safeguarding vulnerable adults and ensuring their well-being;

 

5.3.2 Helping prevent the physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, financial and discriminatory abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults and to reporting any such abuse that is discovered or suspected;

 

5.3.3 The safe recruitment, supervision and training of all those working with vulnerable adults in churches and circuits;

 

5.3.4 Supporting those affected by abuse in Circuit churches;

 

5.3.5 Establishing links with the statutory authorities and other organizations as appropriate;

 

5.3.6 Upholding the Department of Health/Home Office statutory guidance No Secrets (2000) and the Safeguarding Adults National Framework of good practice and outcomes in adult protection work.

 

5.4 In fulfillment of this policy, the Circuit will:

 

5.4.1 Encourage churches and circuits to include vulnerable adults as an identified group within their Safeguarding policies;

 

5.4.2 Encourage churches and circuits to ensure that their premises not only meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and other relevant legislation, but also are welcoming and inclusive;

 

5.4.3 Encourage churches/circuits to identify someone with appropriate skills and expertise to help them to become familiar with current operational and good practice guidelines in respect of the care and support of vulnerable adults.

 

5.4.4 Include vulnerable adults with the remit of the District Safeguarding group and ask that group to assist in the task of promoting good practice and provision for them. 

 

 

 

Revised 17

Oct 08 APB