SAFEGUARDING POLICY FOR CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE & ADULTS

Parish of Cantley Saint Wilfrid, Doncaster

Opening Statement:

The Parish of Saint Wilfrid, Cantley believes that Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those who are vulnerable (children, young people and vulnerable adults). We expect all of our volunteers and those who use our premises to share this commitment and we value the support of those who worship here in achieving this.

 Vision Statement:

 At Saint Wilfrid’s Church, our vision is to develop a strong Christian Community where every member feels safe, valued and encouraged to grow in faith and in love. We are therefore committed:

  • to providing a welcoming, safe and nurturing environment for all in our community.
  • to engaging openly, honestly and transparently with one another in our various activities.
  • to seek to establish relationships of mutual trust through which lasting friendship can be built.

 We hope to realise this, our vision, through the welcome we offer in our formal and informal worship, as well as through social events and regular teaching sessions exploring the Christian faith.

Statement of Aims for Children & Young People

Our aims are:

  • To help young people in their Christian discipleship through a programme of learning and thereby to deepen their Christian faith
  • To enable young people to experience the love of God
  • To encourage a strong Christian fellowship
  • To help young people realise their full potential physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually
  • To encourage young people to take a full part in the Church’s life and worship
  • To provide a safe meeting place for young people
  • To encourage young people to become responsible adults
  • To provide indoor and outdoor leisure activities for young people
  • To promote equality of opportunity for all
  • The Parish adopts the Guidelines of the Church of England and the Diocese
  • Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the Guidelines established by this Church.

 Statement of Aims for Adults

  •  We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.
  • As members of this Parish we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults to whom we minister.
  • We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of this Church.
  • We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.
  • The Parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.
  • It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of vulnerable people, and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
  • We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable.
  • The Parish is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who may be vulnerable.
  • The Parish adopts the Guidelines of the Church of England and the Diocese.
  •  Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this Church.

This document covers the work of this Parish with children, young people and adults in its services and in the Groups meeting throughout the week.

Currently there are two Groups for children and young people:

  •  Tots On Tuesday – Pre-school age children with their parents, grandparents or carers, from 9.30 am for one hour every Tuesday during term time.
  • Tuesday Church for Children – (5yrs. to 11yrs.) from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm every   Tuesday during term time.

Tuesday Church for Children and Tots on Tuesday Groups resumed on Tuesday, 14th June 2022, following the lifting of The Government’s Covid Pandemic restrictions.

 A review of Youth Work provision and the Seniors’ Tea Service is taking place, to identify the need and to develop safe ratios and working practices.

This policy also covers any work undertaken outside of the church buildings carried out under the auspices of the PCC.

Minimum Staff-Child or Vulnerable Adult ratios as prescribed by OFSTED, and the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team, for safer working practices are adopted by this Policy.

Policy Statement

The PCC formerly adopted the policy statement of the Diocese and House of Bishops and will display it prominently in all church premises. The PCC expects all Church workers to follow its Safeguarding Children, Young People & Vulnerable Adults and Safer Church Policy and will display it in a prominent place.

Application of the Policy

All new and existing workers, whether paid or voluntary, working for church-based organisations, will be informed of the policy by the Vicar, the Parish Safeguarding Officer or the Group Leader.

All Volunteers and Workers will be expected to accept the policy and guidelines and work according to the policy requirements.

All new members of the PCC will be required to accept the policy and guidelines. The PCC will appoint a Group to oversee the Policy, and it will be placed on the Agenda of the PCC, at least annually, for information and review.

The PCC will appoint a Parish Safeguarding Officer and will inform the Church House Administrator of their details.

The Policy and a Safeguarding Report will be presented annually at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)

Church Premises

The church building is not available for hire or use by other community groups.

 Recruitment

The PCC will follow the Safer Recruitment process included in the Safeguarding Policy. References, the Confidential Declaration and DBS Checks, via the Diocesan System, will be obtained.   Appointment to any post, paid or voluntary, will not be made until these processes are complete.

All appointments will be made on a conditional basis until the completion of a satisfactory probationary period.

All those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults will follow the good practice guidelines in the Diocesan Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy and Guidelines.

Registration and Parental Consent

All Groups will keep a Register of those attending each session. Parental consent forms, including emergency contact details and medical information, must be completed for all participants, and must be available to Group Leaders whenever the Group meets. This applies to all Groups, whether meeting on Church premises or elsewhere.

Parental consent to photographs and videos must be obtained, using the consent form and the GDPR principles, as defined in the Diocesan Guidelines.

Insurance

The PCC will ensure that there is adequate insurance cover for all activities for children, young people and adults.

Fire Regulations and Security

All Group Leaders will be aware of fire regulations, evacuation procedures and the positions of fire extinguishers. Group Leaders will be vigilant as to the presence of strangers on the premises during the meetings of the Groups. They should know who to contact in an emergency relating to the building.

Risk assessments will be carried out for all Group Activities.

Food and Hygiene

If any group is involved in the preparation or the selling of food, at least one Leader should have completed the Food Hygiene & Food Safety Course to ensure good practice is followed.

The new regulations on Food Allergy, ’Natasha’s Law 2021’, should be considered in all areas of food preparation and service

First Aid, Incidents and Accidents

Each Group will have at least one adult present who has attended a basic course in First Aid. There should be a properly stocked First Aid Kit, accessible to each Group. In the event of any accident, an incident and accident report form should be completed. This should be kept securely in a marked file. Parents should also be informed of any accidents or incidents.

Providing an Independent Person

Children, young people and adults should have the opportunity to raise any concerns about any Health & Safety or Protection matters. A notice will be placed on the Noticeboard and/or at the entrance to the Church, and to all Church premises, with the name of the Parish Safeguarding Officer, DMBC Social Services, Childline Telephone Numbers and of any other independent person the Parish appoints to afford this opportunity for children, young people and adults.

 Allegations

If an allegation is received concerning the behaviour of an adult, the Diocesan Allegations Policy (a copy of which can be found in the Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy) will be followed.

 Concerns About or Reported by a Child

This Parish will follow the Diocesan Guidelines and report the concern to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, or to the appropriate Archdeacon. In an emergency, or if the child is at immediate risk, the appropriate Statutory Agencies will be informed. All such concerns or incidents should be recorded and kept in a confidential place.

Review

All children and young people’s workers will meet to review their work on an annual basis. This should include a review of child protection issues and health and safety issues relating to each Group. Notification of this meeting should be reported to the PCC. The Parish Safeguarding Officer will review the Parish Policy annually and report to the PCC, who will record this review in their Minutes.   The PCC will inform the Archdeacon, via the Visitation, that this has been done. A copy of the current Parish Safeguarding Policy should be sent to the Archdeacon for inclusion in the Parish file.

A further copy should be sent if there are substantial amendments.

Training

 The Parish has a Safeguarding Audit and Action Plan in place to provide Developmental Observances of the PCC’s role in adhering to Training and Safer Working practices.

 All Activity Group Leaders will be required to attend the C0, C1 and Leadership Courses in Safeguarding Training provided by the Diocese.

All members of the PCC, and all those involved in any way in dealing with Children, Young People or Vulnerable Adults, will be required to attend the C0 and C1 Courses in Safeguarding Training provided by the Diocese.

The Parish will consider its training needs at the time it reviews the Safeguarding Policy.   If specific needs are identified, the Parish will consult with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.

PCC Approval of this Policy

This Policy was reviewed and approved by the PCC at their Meeting on Wednesday 26th November 2022