METHODIST CHURCH SAFEGUARDING POLICY (Adopted by Crosslinks, Dover)

Statement of Safeguarding Principles

It is the Methodist Church’s intention to value every human being as part of God’s creation and the whole people of God. At the heart of the Methodist community is a deep sense of the place of welcome, hospitality and openness, which demonstrates the nature of God’s grace and love for all. 

Our church communities are called to be places where the transformational love of God is embodied and life in all its fullness is a gift, which is offered to all people.

Principles

Safeguarding is about the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will: 

• promote the welfare of children, young people and adults 
• work to prevent abuse from occurring 
• seek to protect and respond well to those that have been abused. 

We are committed to:

• the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
• safeguarding and protecting all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
• establishing safe, caring communities, which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.

We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within Crosslinks, in line with safer recruitment principles within the Methodist Church, including the use of criminal records checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We will respond without delay to every safeguarding concern, which suggests that a child, young person or adult may have been harmed, working in partnership with the police and social services in any investigation.

We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.

We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.

In all these principles, we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.

Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy for Crosslinks

Purpose

The purpose of the Crosslinks Safeguarding Policy is to check that procedures are in place and provide clarity about the roles and responsibilities of those trusted with promoting Crosslinks as a safe space for all its users. 

This policy was agreed at a Crosslinks Trustees Meeting held on 20/07/2023

The Methodist Church, along with the whole Christian community, believes each person has a value and dignity which comes directly from God’s creation in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things, this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.

Crosslinks is committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults and affirms that the needs of vulnerable individuals at risk are paramount.

Crosslinks recognises that it has a particular care for all who are vulnerable whether as a result of disabilities or reduction in capacities or by their situation. It is recognised that this increased vulnerability may be temporary or permanent and may be visible or invisible, but that it does not diminish our humanity and our wish to affirm the gifts and graces of all God’s people.

This policy addresses the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is intended to support the work of Crosslinks in being a safe supportive and caring community for children, young people, vulnerable adults, for survivors of abuse, for communities and for those affected by abuse.

Crosslinks recognises the serious issue of the abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults and recognises that this may take the form of physical, emotional, sexual, financial, spiritual, discriminatory, domestic or institutional abuse or neglect, abuse using social media, child sexual exploitation or human trafficking (slavery). It acknowledges the effects these may have on people and their development, including spiritual and religious development. It accepts its responsibility for ensuring that all people are safe in its care and that their dignity and right to be heard is maintained. It accepts its responsibility to support, listen to and work for healing with survivors, offenders, communities and those who care about them. It takes seriously the promotion of welfare so that each of us can reach our full potential in God’s grace.

Crosslinks commits itself to:

1. RESPOND without delay to any allegation or cause for concern that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed or may suffer harm, whether in Crosslinks or in another context. It commits itself to challenge the abuse of power of anyone in a position of trust.
2. IMPLEMENT the Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy, government legislation and guidance and safe practice in all work carried out in the name of Crosslinks.
3. PROVIDE support, advice and training for all employees and volunteers to ensure that people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable.
4. AFFIRM and give thanks for those who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults and also acknowledge the shared responsibility of all Trustees, employees, and volunteers, young people and vulnerable adults who are on our premises.

Crosslinks Trustees

Legal responsibility for safeguarding rests with the Trustees of Crosslinks. The safeguarding officer should be a Trustee of Crosslinks or have the right to attend a Trustees Meeting at least annually to report on implementation of the safeguarding policy.

Crosslinks appoints

Kirsty Hawthorne as Crosslinks Safeguarding Officer (Adults and children)

and supports them in their role, which is to:

• • provide support and advice to Crosslinks employees, volunteers and Trustees in fulfilling their roles with regard to safeguarding. All Trustees to have current DBS Certificate
  • ensure that a suitable, signed Crosslinks Safeguarding Policy is available at all times in Crosslinks premises and available at all events and activities carried out in the name of Crosslinks, along with names of current safeguarding officers, national helplines and other suitable information.  This must also be sent to the District Safeguarding Officer and be renewed annually.
  • record all safeguarding issues that are reported to the Crosslinks Safeguarding Officer, according to Methodist safeguarding policy.
• promote appropriate routes for reporting of concerns
  • identify and inform those who are required to attend safeguarding training and maintain records of attendance. Work with the Canterbury and East Kent (CAEK) Methodist Circuit Safeguarding Officer to arrange training.
  • attend training and meetings relating to the role
  • work in partnership with others including Trustees and partner organisations to promote good safeguarding practice on Crosslinks premises.  Check that safeguarding is included as an agenda item at all Crosslinks Trustee meetings, and report to the Trustee Meeting annually.
  • inform all those with responsibility for recruitment, whether paid or voluntary, of their obligation to follow safer recruitment procedures.
  • advise the Circuit Safeguarding Officer and Trustees of any issues with compliance with safeguarding training, policy or safer recruitment requirements and respond promptly to any request from them about audit of safeguarding activities.

1. Good practice

We believe that good practice means:

1. All people are treated with respect and dignity.
2. Those who act on behalf of Crosslinks should not meet or work alone with a child or vulnerable adult where the activity cannot be seen unless this is necessary for pastoral reasons, in which case a written record will be made and kept noting date, time and place of visit.
3. The Crosslinks premises will be assessed by the Safeguarding Officer with a Trustee who oversees the property and/or their representatives at least annually for safety for children, young people and vulnerable adults and a written risk assessment report will be given annually to the Trustees Meeting. This will include fire safety procedures. The Trustees will consider the extent to which the premises and equipment are suitable or should be made more suitable.
4. Any Crosslinks organised transport of children, young people or vulnerable adults will be checked to ensure that the vehicle is suitable and insured and that the driver and escort (where required) are appropriate. A record should be kept in the Crosslinks file for each driver/car.
5. Activity risk assessments will be undertaken before any activity takes place to minimise the risk of harm to those involved.  Approval will be obtained from the event leader.  A written record of the assessment will be retained securely.
6. Promotion of safeguarding is recognised to include undertaking those tasks which enable all God’s people to reach their full potential. Crosslinks will actively consider the extent to which it is succeeding in this area.

These things are to safeguard those working with children, young people and those adults who may be vulnerable.

2. Appointment and training of workers within Crosslinks

Workers will be appointed after a satisfactory criminal records check and following the safer recruitment procedures of the Methodist Church. Each worker will have an identified supervisor who will meet at regular intervals with the worker. A record of these meetings will be agreed and signed and the record kept. Each worker will be expected to undergo safeguarding training, within the first 6 months of appointment. The other training needs of each worker will be considered (such as food hygiene, first aid and lifting and handling).

3. Guidelines for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults

A leaflet outlining good practice and systems should be given to everyone who works with children, young people and vulnerable adults. This leaflet should be reviewed annually.

4. Events with Crosslinks run groups off the premises

Adequate staffing, a risk assessment and notification of the event will be given to the Crosslinks Safeguarding Officer prior to the agreement for any event or off site activity.

If the activity is unusual or considered to be high risk the Safeguarding Officer will contact the CAEK Methodist Circuit Safeguarding Officer in order that it can be ratified or any queries raised.

5. Other groups on church premises

Where the building is hired for outside use, the Safeguarding Officer should be informed. The  Safeguarding Officer will keep the records and take advice as appropriate from the CAEK Methodist Circuit Safeguarding Officer.

         f.   Complaints relating to Safeguarding Issues

Safeguarding officers must be informed of any complaint or issue relating to the potential abuse of children, young people or adults who may be vulnerable.  They will support prompt action to respond to the circumstances of any safeguarding concern, whether or not any party involved wishes to make a formal complaint through procedures within Crosslinks

6. Definition of Key Terms

1. A child is anyone who has not yet reached their eighteenth birthday.
2. Vulnerable adults: any adult aged 18 or over who, owing to disability, mental function, age or illness or traumatic circumstances, may not be able to take care or protect themselves.
3. Safeguarding: protecting children, young people or vulnerable adults from maltreatment; preventing impairment of their health and ensuring safe and effective care.
4. Adult/child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This refers to the activity, which is undertaken to protect children, young people and/or adults who are suffering or are at risk of suffering significant harm, including neglect.
5. Abuse and neglect may occur in a family, a community or an institution. It may be perpetrated by a person or persons known to the child, young person or vulnerable adult or by strangers; by an adult or by a child. It may be an infliction of harm or a failure to prevent harm.
6. Worker: anyone working with children or vulnerable adults in the name of Crosslinks, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.

                Review

             This policy will be reviewed annually by the Trustees  

              Next review date: 21^st August 2025

       Chair of Crosslinks Trustees

       21^st August 2024