Safeguarding Policy 2024

In the church of St Wilfrid’s, Grappenhall we are committed to encouraging an environment of respectful pastoral ministry where all children and adults, especially those who may be vulnerable for any reason, are able to worship and pursue their faith journey with encouragement and in safety.

The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the church and as a church we are committed to working in accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’.

The St Wilfrid’s Statement of Commitment will be read out to at least one PCC meeting each year, where progress in the implementation of the parish’s Safeguarding Protection Policy, Procedures and Practices will be monitored and reviewed.  The PCC will then be asked to agree this statement.

Statement of Commitment 

• As members of this church, we commit ourselves to creating a safe and caring place for all, but especially children, young people and vulnerable adults.

• We recognise that our work with children, young people and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of the whole church.  It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional and spiritual abuse of all, but especially children, young people and vulnerable adults and to report any abuse discovered or suspected.

Supporting those who work in our Church

• We will carefully select, recruit, support, resource and train all those with pastoral responsibilities within the church, those who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults and those who work as PCC Members.  We will provide mentoring and supervision wherever appropriate to ensure all have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.

• All workers (ordained, lay, paid or voluntary) who work with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults and PCC Members will be expected to read, understand and comply with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’.  In order to do this they will be furnished with a copy of the Handbook and any other relevant resources upon appointment and at the point of any future agreed amendments.

• All workers (ordained, lay paid or voluntary) within the church environment will have their roles assessed to determine if they will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check and if so at what level. 

• All PCC Committee Members/Trustees will have their roles assessed to determine if they will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check and if so at what level.  This assessment will take into account the role and work undertaken by the PCC Committee Member/Trustee in relation to children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.  It will not be a requirement for all Committee Members/Trustees to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, however, as a minimum those who undertake the role of Churchwarden will be checked.

Responding to Allegations of Abuse

• We will display in church premises, on the Parish website and in the Parish magazine the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.

• We will listen to, take seriously and respond without delay to any complaint made by any child, young person or adult for whom we were responsible has been harmed or abused in anyway, in line with the House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and statutory agencies immediately.

• We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust and respond appropriately with any complaints or allegations made in line with the House of Bishops guidance.

Supporting Victims/Survivors of Abuse

• We will seek to offer support to victims and survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse or when or where it occurred.  We will seek to provide informed pastoral care to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate healing ministry and seek to protect them from the possibility of further harm and abuse. 

Supporting Offenders

• We will seek to care for and monitor any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult and/or who may pose a risk to these groups whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.  This may involve the seeking guidance and support from and/or referring an individual to the relevant safeguarding authorities.  

General Diligence

• We will ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed periodically.  In addition we will ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.

• As part of our commitment to children, young people, and vulnerable adults the PCC has appointed Georgina Reynolds as Child Protection and Safeguarding Officer for the period 11^th March 2024 to 10^th March 2025.

• Our church is committed to following the good practice provided by the Church of England Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ and will look to update this statement accordingly with any revision of these documents and bring this to the attention of the PCC in a timely manner for agreement.

Children, young people and vulnerable adults are a vitally important part of our Church today.  They have much to give as well as they do to receive and in this spirit we will listen to them.  We will nurture them in worship, learning, and in community life, we will endeavour to respect their wishes and feelings and provide a safe and environment within which they can grow and develop.

Signed on behalf of the PCC on 11th March 2024