Safeguarding

 Safeguarding policy for children, young peopleand adults

(Promoting a Safer Church; House of Bishops’ policy statement 2017)

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on: 7th May 2019

We, the congregation of the Abbey Church of St Mary & St. Helana, Elstow, are committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the church in accordance with the Church of England safeguarding policy statement, Promoting a Safer Church (2017). The Church of England safeguarding policy statement is based on five foundations and offers six overaching policy commitmnts:

  • Promote a safer environment and culture;
  • Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Church;
  • Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation;
  • Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons;
  • Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concern or allegations of abuse and other affected persons;
  • Responding to those that may pose a present risk to

The Five Foundations:

  1. The Gospel: A welcome for all, with a particular regard for those who are most vulnerable, into a church community where the value and dignity of every human being is affirmed and where those in positions of responsibility and authority are truly trustworthy. Sharing the Gospel compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse and responding well when it has occurred;
  2. Human rights and the law: A recognition of the personal dignity and rights of all children, young people and adults and the statutory duties enshrined in law and safeguarding practice guidance;
  3. Core principles of safeguarding: An endorsement of the Church’s approach to safeguarding practice which:
  • holds the welfare of the child, young person and vulnerable adult as paramount
  • shows integrity, respect and an ability to listen to all
  • takes accountability seriously
  • promotes transparency and openness
  • collaborates effectively with key statutory authorities and other partner
  • uses professional support and guidance from inside and outside the Church
  • commits to preventing abuse and managing risk
  • promotes a culture of informed vigilance
  • regularly evaluates to ensure best practice

May 2019 v.2.2                                                                     Reviewed annually

  1. Good safeguarding practice: A leadership commitment to:
  • promoting safeguarding in all areas of church life, with clear lines of accountability and reporting procedures for safeguarding, clear roles for church officers and comprehensive policy and practice guidance available to all church officers;
  • ensuring that safe recruitment procedures are followed and there will be clear arrangements for support and/or supervision and training of everyone with safeguarding responsibilities in accordance with House of Bishops practice guidance;
  • working effectively with statutory and voluntary sector partners;
  • ensuring that children, young people and vulnerable adults know how to access an independent person who will listen to their concerns;
  • publicising complaints and whistleblowing procedures;
  • effective information sharing;
  • good record
  1. Learning from the past: Ensuring that lessons from failures in safeguarding are learned and result in changes.

 

Parish Safeguarding Officer:   Rev’d Steve Marsh  :  safeguarding@elstow-abbey.org.uk

Rev. Paul Messam, Team Rector                                       

Janet McDonald, Churchwarden                         

Hannah Hinson, Churchwarden

J.  Hirst      Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
Diocese of St Albans, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE
01727 818107|07867 350886safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org

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May 2019 v.1.2                                                             Reviewed annually

Parish Policy Statement for Responding to Domestic Abuse

All forms of domestic abuse are wrong and must stop. We are committed to promoting and supporting environments which:

  • ensure that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse;
  • protect those vulnerable to domestic abuse from actual or potential harm;
  • recognise equality among people and within relationships;
  • enable and encourage concerns to be raised and responded to appropriately and

We recognise that:

  • all forms of domestic abuse cause damage to the survivor and express an imbalance of power in the relationship;
  • all survivors (regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity) have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse;
  • domestic abuse can occur in all communities;
  • domestic abuse may be a single incident, but is usually a systematic, repeated pattern which escalates in severity and frequency;
  • domestic abuse, if witnessed or overheard by a child, is a form of abuse by the perpetrator of the abusive behaviour;
  • working in partnership with children, adults and other agencies is essential in promoting the welfare of any child or adult suffering

We will endeavour to respond to domestic abuse by:

In all our activities –

  • valuing, listening to and respecting both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic

In our publicity –

  • raising awareness about other agencies, support services, resources and expertise, through providing information in public and women-only areas of relevance to survivors, children and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.

When concerns are raised –

  • ensuring that those who have experienced abuse can find safety and informed help;
  • working with the appropriate statutory bodies during an investigation into domestic abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church

In our care –

  • ensuring that informed and appropriate pastoral care is offered to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse;
  • identifying and outlining the appropriate relationship of those with pastoral care responsibilities with both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic

 

Parish Safeguarding Officer:   Rev’d Steve Marsh  :  safeguarding@elstow-abbey.org.uk

Rev. Paul Messam, Team Rector                                       

Janet McDonald, Churchwarden                         

Hannah Hinson, Churchwarden

J. Hirst      Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
Diocese of St Albans, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE
01727 818107|07867 350886safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org

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The Abbey Church of St Mary & St Helena, Elstow, MK42 9XT

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Page updated:  October 2023

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