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

2 Context 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

3 Connexional commitments Implementation 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

4 Transport Registration and consent forms Health and safety 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

5 Record keeping and data protection 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

6 Introduction Suspension 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)

7 348 Care of adult survivors Introduction What to do? 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

8 Agreement/contract MAPPA 38 Appendices 40A. 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.

9 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 t