Transcript A Safe Church - Anglican Diocese of Southwark

The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
- A Safe Centre
Safeguarding children and adults
who may be vulnerable
Diocesan Policies, Procedures and
Guidelines
Material compiled by Jill Sandham, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
Presentation by Anette Schroeder-Rossell, December 2009
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Who does ‘A Safe Church’ apply to?
Procedures apply to:
all diocesan employees
all paid and voluntary workers in parishes
all activities which take place on premises
for which the PCC is responsible
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
What is ‘A Safe Church’ based on?
•Compliant with safeguarding law and statutory
guidelines
•Follows Church of England policies in safeguarding
children, adults who may be vulnerable and
responding to domestic abuse
• Compiled by diocesan working groups with
expertise
•Consultation and scrutiny by Diocesan Registrar,
Ecclesiastical, parishes, diocesan committees et al
•Annual review by Safeguarding Reference Group
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Terminology
What does safeguarding mean?
-Promoting the welfare…
-Keeping safe from harm, such as illness, abuse or
injury
-Creating a framework where risks of harm to
welfare are minimised
-Taking appropriate action to address concerns
about welfare
What is child and adult protection?
-Protecting from mistreatment, abuse and harm
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Terminology
Who is a child?
- All children and young people under the age of 18
Who is a vulnerable adult?
- Any adult aged 18 or over who, by reason of
mental or other disability, age, illness or other
situation is permanently or for the time being
unable to take care of him or herself, or to protect
him or herself against significant harm or
exploitation.
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
What factors may make adults vulnerable?
•Age
•Physical or mental health
•Physical or learning disability
•Bereavement and relationship breakdown
•History of abuse
•History of offending
•Substance or alcohol dependence
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Implications
•Vulnerability is not a permanent state
•Vulnerability is not always visible
•We may all be vulnerable at times of our lives
•Vulnerable people may also pose risk and cause
harm
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Terminology
What is domestic abuse?
Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or
abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or
emotional) between adults who are or have been
intimate partners or family members, regardless of
gender or sexuality.
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
What’s new or different?
•Inclusion of policies, procedures and guidelines for
safeguarding adults who may be vulnerable and
responding to domestic abuse
•Standardised diocesan and parish policies
•A wider range of procedures and guidelines
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
The policies
•for safeguarding children
•for safeguarding adults who may be vulnerable
•for responding to domestic abuse
The document
•A template for the centre to adopt as its policies
•The procedures and guidelines in the manual spell
out the practice
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Key players working in co-operation
•Centre Safeguarding Officers
•Parish Safeguarding Officers
•Hall managers and bookers
•Employed staff
•Co-ordinators of work with vulnerable groups
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Responsibilities
•The prime duty of care to ensure the well-being of
children and young people and adults who may be
vulnerable in the centre community
•A youth-friendly and child-friendly environment
•A welcoming, respectful environment which is safe
from abuse
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Responsibilities
•Ensure safe recruitment
- References and interviews
- CRB and following risk assessment recommendations
•Ensure risk assessments of buildings and activities
•Ensure adequate insurance cover
•Review policies and procedures annually
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Allegations and concerns
- Work with church, archdeacon and Diocesan
Safeguarding Adviser to follow procedures
- Work with statutory agencies
- Manage the consequences for the centre community
- Ensure pastoral care for all concerned is available
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Management and monitoring of those who pose risk
oWork with church, archdeacon and Diocesan
Safeguarding Adviser to follow procedures
oWork with statutory agencies
oFollow advice on risk assessment
oReview regularly
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Responsibilities
•Handle complaints
•Ensure appropriate communication, information
sharing and record keeping and record storage
•Ensure appropriate boundaries of confidentiality
and consent.
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Implementation
•Centre management –familiarize yourself with the
manual for future reference
•Use the quick guide – look at sections relevant to
you in your role
•Identify who your key players are and ensure they
are trained
•Help Centre to adopt the policies, procedures and
guidelines, and destroy all their previous policies
and procedures
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
Implementation
•Key players to set action plan for reviewing
safeguarding practice
•Publicise new policies
•Carry out Risk Assessments
•Set annual review date
The Diocese of
Southwark
A Safe Church
What if the Centre doesn’t comply?
•It may be putting at risk
- children and adults who may be vulnerable
- leaders and workers
- the reputation of the church and the centre
•It may not be compliant with the law
•It may be jeopardising its insurance cover