Safeguarding Statement for the Parish of All Saints’ Church, Haslingfield
The Parish of All Saints’, Haslingfield is committed to safeguarding all those who attend our worship and other activities.
We follow the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ (2017) and the following guidance:
Promoting a Safer Church; House of Bishops policy statement (2017)
Protecting All God’s Children (safeguarding policy for children and young people, 4th edition, 2010)
Promoting a Safe Church (safeguarding policy for adults, 2006)
Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016
The documents above can be found on the Diocese of Ely website. A copy of ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ is also available in church.
All Saints’ seeks to create a culture where everyone is included, respected, listened to and taken seriously. We accept the prime duty of care for children and adults who may be vulnerable, and have appointed a safeguarding co-ordinator to ensure that what we do is informed by up-to-date policies and procedures from local and national authorities. Our Safeguarding Co-ordinator is Jennifer Gore who can be contacted on either 01223 872405 or [email protected].
We follow recommended safeguarding practice in recruiting, training and supporting our ordained and lay ministers, our employees and our volunteers. Recruitment includes Disclosure and Barring Service checks for those working substantially with children or vulnerable adults. Health and Safety policies are in place and we have provided adequate insurance cover for all activities undertaken in the name of the parish. All those working on behalf of the parish have agreed to comply with the safeguarding policy and with the good practice guidelines for their work.
We respond without delay to any complaint that a child or vulnerable adult in our care may have been harmed by the behaviour of an employee or volunteer working on behalf of the church. We always seek advice on such matters from outside this church, and we will co-operate with statutory agencies during any enquiries they need to make into allegations against a member of the church community. During those enquiries, we will do our best to ensure that those making an allegation, and those against whom an allegation has been made, are supported appropriately.
We seek to offer informed pastoral care and support to any child or adult whose life has been affected by abuse, whether the abuse was recent or long ago. Where there is a current risk to vulnerable people that have not yet been brought to light, we will support the person who has suffered abuse in taking information to the appropriate agencies.
This church wishes to welcome and support all members of its community pastorally, and boundaries are set to protect those who might be vulnerable. Those who have a history of offences against vulnerable people, and/or who may pose a risk to them, are offered a supportive agreement to help them take part in church life. Confidential safeguarding agreements are the responsibility of the Bishop’s Safeguarding Adviser and the incumbent, who work together.
We regularly review and update our safeguarding policy, and we welcome comments from those using our services on how we could improve our awareness and safeguarding practices.