Safeguarding
- 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
Safeguarding Policy The Methodist Church, along with the whole Christian community, believes each person has a value and dignity which comes directly from God’s creation of male and female 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. Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and
Guidance June 2023 Please click here for the South Beds Safeguarding Policy 2023 Model Church Safeguarding Policy July 2023 Who should attend Safeguarding training? Update July
2023 |
Safeguarding Concerns If you have a concern about possible abuse (including allegations):
If a child, young person or adult wishes to disclose they have been abused:
Things to remember
Contact your Circuit Safeguarding Officer: Debbie Mitchelmore on safeguarding@squaremethodist.org or on 07845 259896 Please click here for a form for recording safeguarding concerns
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Advanced Module The Creating Safer Space Advanced Module replaces the Leadership Module. |
Useful Forms & Practice Guidance Model Template for Safeguarding Records - Link to Form Users and Hirers of Methodist premisesChurch Councils are required to ensure that those who use their premises under license (or who hire the premises for regular or occasional use) are given a copy of the local church safeguarding policy and declare their willingness to comply with the safeguarding policy of the Methodist Church or comparable equivalent guidelines and procedures (such as Scouting and Guiding national safeguarding policy). Depending on whether the arrangement with a third party is a one-off hire, regular part-time use under a licence or exclusive use under a lease, the requirements under charity law, Methodist law, policy and best practice are very different. Please follow the link below for more information: Link: https://www.tmcp.org.uk/property/letting-property-and-third-party-use Keyholder Declaration - Form D The Methodist Church is not obliged to give anyone access to church premises unless access to the premises is required as part of their role or for regular hire of premises. Before the keys can be issued the key holder is asked to sign the declaration and acknowledge the conditions of issue. Risk Assessment Form Safeguarding at Christmas & Risk Assessments Templates Christmas Letter from BEH Safeguarding Officers Please click for link to letter Please click on links below: Carol service held outside Safer Recruitment Policy and Practice Guidance Safer Recruitment Policy Volunteer with Vulnerable Groups - Form A Form A Part 1: Registration Form with privacy noticeThis form should be completed by all parties volunteering to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. The privacy notice should be provided to the volunteer at the time of completion - October 2018. Form A Part 2: Volunteer agreement with role outlineThis form should be completed by all parties volunteering to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. The role outline should be detailed by a representative of the appointing body and signed by that person and the volunteer – July 2018 Church Photography - the internet and publicity Photography and video recording are important ways of recording Methodist activity and providing an historic record – illustrating and validating important moments in people’s lives and the life of our Church. It is, however, a powerful and personal process, and we must therefore respect the rights of everyone to make the choice whether or not to be photographed. Please click on link to document. There is a photography consent form at the end of the document. Confidential Safeguarding Declarations for Office HoldersAll people nominated or holding positions in the Methodist Church must sign a confidential safeguarding self-declaration. Previously known as Form X and Form B. Safeguarding self-declaration for office holders with substantial contact with vulnerable groups (Please click on link above for this form) This form should be completed by all office holders and clergy (both paid and voluntary) applying for a role which involves substantial contact with children and vulnerable adults. It should be completed at the start of the recruitment process, prior to submission of a DBS application. Jan 2019 Safeguarding self-declaration for office holders without substantial contact with vulnerable groups (Please click on link above for this form) This form should be completed by all office holders (both paid and voluntary) applying for a role which does not involve substantial contact with children and vulnerable adults. It should be completed at the start of the recruitment process. Jan 2019. Declaration on renewal of criminal record check for those working with vulnerable groups (Please click on link above for this form)This form should be completed prior to a renewal DBS check for roles working with children and vulnerable adults. Jan 2019.
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Who to Contact: Church Safeguarding Officer - speak to one of the ministers or the Circuit Safeguarding Officer for contact details Circuit Safeguarding Officer - Debbie Mitchelmore on 07845 259896 or by email Interim Circuit Safeguarding Administrator - Marina Mele on 07711985327 or by email District Safeguarding Officers - Gill Crippen on 07722 024250 or by email or Pauline Jackson (Caseworker & Training) on 07508 410758 or by email. If contacting the District Safeguarding Officers with a Safeguarding Enquiry, Notification or Referral, please complete this form. |
Resources Safeguarding Framework See the Safeguarding pages on www.methodist.org.uk Safeguarding and the Internet See the Social Media Guidelines www.nspcc.org.uk many useful resources, including research studies and fact sheets The NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 Stop it Now www.stopitnow.org.uk a Freephone confidential helpline for people with concerns about child sexual abuse which gives advice, support, information Tel: 0808 1000 900 www.childrenandyouth.org.uk the Methodist Church children and youth webpage |