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Safeguarding children and young people - District policy

As the people of the Methodist Church, we are concerned with the wholeness of each individual within God’s purpose for everyone.

We seek to safeguard people of all ages involved in District events and to encourage Circuits and churches actively to promote policies to ensure that all are safeguarded in the day to day life of the Church.

It is the responsibility of each one of us to protect children and young people from harm, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect and to affirm, encourage and support those working with them.

Click here to see if there are any future training events for safeguarding under the District Events.

Safeguarding Group

  • Rev Jan Atkins (Convenor)
  • Sandy Youngson
  • Deacon Margaret Cox
  • Rev Michael Hall         
  • Christine Tom-Johnson
  • Graham Snelling
  • Paul Kybird Training and Development Officer - (training issues only)

District guidelines

The District adopts the guidelines published in Safeguarding children and young people with particular reference to the following checklist:

1. Those organising District events should pay particular attention to   staffing levels and transport arrangements.  (see Safeguarding guideline 2 for detailed advice)

2. Make sure that participants have access to a suitable independent contact.  It is recommended that this is done by the display of Childline or NSPCC Child Protection Helpline posters.

3. Take suitable measures to protect children and young people when considering staff or volunteers.  (see Safeguarding guidelines 4-11)

All leaders and helpers should complete the Registration and Job Description forms contained in Safeguarding (adapted as necessary), including references. They should obtain Enhanced CRB Disclosures, if they have not already done so in their own church, this should be for a similar role. (Leaders and helpers include those invited from external organisations and agencies.)  These forms to be approved and retained by the nominated District Safeguarding Rep.

4. Guidelines on how to deal with the disclosure or discovery of abuse should be issued to organisers, leaders of  and helpers at District events where children and young people will be present. There should be a nominated Safeguarding rep for that each event, known to all volunteers.

5. It is recommended that at least one member of the organising team for any District event should have participated in a training course approved by the District Safeguarding Advisory Group.

6. Meetings for planning and reviewing District events will include the implementation of this policy on their agenda. Guidance on events is available on the Methodist website ‘Residential and camping guidance’

7. This policy to be monitored and evaluated annually by the District Council.

AT NO TIME SHOULD ANY ASPECT OF THIS POLICY PREVENT ANYONE REPORTING CONCERNS DIRECTLY TO POLICE OR SOCIAL SERVICES

The purposes of the LONDON District Safeguarding Group are to:

- assist Circuits and churches with policy preparation and implementation of good practice in according to connexional safeguarding guidelines by:

- regular contact with and networking of Circuit and Church reps

- visiting Circuits as requested to advise on policy and implementation.

- continue to raise awareness of the issues relating to the care and protection of children by:

- providing training for Circuit and church Safeguarding representatives and Ministerial Staff

- ensuring that child protection matters are promoted and discussed at all levels within the Church.

- provide support where help advice and information is needed, in accordance with Methodist Safeguarding good practice, by:

issuing contact names and telephone numbers of the District Advisory group in the Synod directory and on the website.

-facilitate effective pastoral care for all who encounter abuse.

- ensure that Circuit Safeguarding reps are updated regularly.

- remind Churches, Circuits and District Council to review policies and their implementation on a regular basis (annually).

- work together with other child support agencies by forming contacts with Social Services departments, Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards, voluntary agencies and other denominations.

Download the Policy in PowerPoint format

 

This page was last updated on 27 March 2008