Policy for the Methodist Church

1 Policy for the Methodist ChurchSafeguardingCHildren andyoung peoplePE503-SG-10 Safeguarding CHildren & young people3 Safeguarding Children and Young PeoplePolicy for the Methodist ChurchRevised edition 2010 Approved by the Methodist Council April 2010 The Methodist Church , Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR Tel: 020 7486 5502 Email: CHildren & young people3 ContentsJoint Statement of Safeguarding Principles for the Church of England and the Methodist Church 51 Introduction Our theological approach Societal context Ecumenical context

2 Description and definitions 92 Safeguarding Policy of the Methodist Church 113 Definitions of forms of harm Physical abuse Emotional abuse Sexual abuse Neglect Domestic violence/abuse Spiritual abuse 164 Implementing the Policy Connexional commitments Implementation

3 In the district Implementation in the circuit Implementation in the local Church Responsibilities of trustees Church schools 195 Promoting safer practice Safeguarding appointments Safer recruitment Code of Safer Working Practices Transport Registration and consent forms Health and safety

4 Risk assessments Registration with OFSTED (in England or the equivalent in Wales and Scotland) Youth work Positions of trust Mixed-age activities Insurance Hire or use of Church premises by others Record keeping and data protection

5 24 Safeguarding CHildren & young people4 Safeguarding CHildren & young people56 Responding to concerns Reporting concerns to statutory services Reporting concerns to the District Safeguarding Coordinator and Minister Confidentiality/consent Pastoral conversations and confidentiality Past or historical abuse Serious Case Reviews Whistle-blowing 287 Managing safeguarding concerns about Church workers and members Introduction Suspension

6 Breach of Trust Insurance advice Pastoral support Communications/media enquiries Criminal proceedings Resignations and compromise agreements Record keeping about concerns Referrals to vetting and barring schemes (ISA/PVG) 348 Care of adult survivors Introduction What to do?

7 A summary Pastoral and other resources 359 Ministering to those who pose a risk Introduction Good practice a Covenant of Care The Covenant of Care agreement/contract MAPPA 38 Appendices 40A.

8 The statutory framework and relevant Church reports 41B. A local Church safeguarding checklist 44C. A list of responsibilities at circuit, Church and district levels 45D. A model Code of Safer Working Practice 50E. A Covenant of Care the Sex Offender Policy as set out in CPD 58F. Reporting Serious Cases to the Charity Commission 63 Safeguarding CHildren & young people4 Safeguarding CHildren & young people5 Joint Statement of Safeguarding Principles for the Church of England and the Methodist ChurchPreambleEvery person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God s own image and likeness.

9 Christians see this potential 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 are committed to: the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church , in line with Safer Recruitment principles.

10 Including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with1 the relevant vetting and barring will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with