Child Protection Policy
Parish Safeguarding Officer for St Mary's Church: Sharon Viney
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1. The following policy and procedures are in place to ensure that the PCC and all appointed people who’s roles involve work with children and young people meet their obligations to safeguard children and young people who attend any event or activity which takes place in the name of our church or in partnership with our church, whether or not on church premises.
2. St Mary’s Church Shirehampton is committed to working within the Principles of the House of Bishop’s Policy for Safeguarding (contained within 'Protecting All God's Children 2010' and ‘Promoting a Safer Church 2017’), the requirements of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and the Health and Care Act 2022 (currently under review 2024).
Rationale
3. Our policy reflects the fundamental principles of The Children Act 2004, stating that ‘the welfare of the child is paramount’. Churches have a crucial role in preventing abuse by adopting sound policies and procedures, not only on the management of situations where there is suspected or disclosed abuse, but also on the recruitment and support of staff working with children and young people, whether paid or unpaid, and maintaining appropriate staffing levels and codes of conduct (Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023).
4. Our child protection training and guidance is an integral part of our church work and seeks to support the PCC and all those who work with children and young people. The crucial importance of this aspect of our work is recognised through the fact that Safeguarding training is regarded at St. Mary’s, and throughout the Diocese of Bristol, as mandatory for anyone who works with children or young people in any capacity at our church. We attach equal importance to our work with vulnerable people and require training for these roles too.
5. The report ‘Protecting all God’s Children’ 2010, covers the development of good practice and the need to respond carefully and appropriately to concerns where they arise. Our children deserve the best care and teaching the Church can provide, and we need to provide a safe environment for both children and the adults who care for them. Further, in ‘Promoting a Safer Church 2017’ the Church develops the following core principles to safeguarding practice:
• The welfare of the child, young person and vulnerable adult is paramount
• Integrity, respect and listening to all
• Transparency and openness
• Accountability
• Collaboration with key statutory authorities and other partners
• Use of professional safeguarding advice and support both inside and outside the Church
• A commitment to the prevention of abuse
• The active management of risk
• Promoting a culture of informed vigilance
• Regular evaluation to ensure best practice.
6. In addition to Safeguarding training, it is mandatory in St. Mary’s for all members with a role that comes into contact with children and young people to go through the Safe Recruitment Process and acquire a DBS Check before starting their role. Details of requirements and levels of training for each type of role can be found at the end of this document.
Aims
7. The aims and objectives of the work of St Mary’s Shirehampton with children and young people are to help them to comfortably explore faith, growing and developing into well rounded adults who are equipped to thrive in all stages of life through the building of stable and supportive relationships within our groups in a safe environment.
8. Our aims are:
➢ To provide a clear model for everyone working with children and young people for managing cases of suspected or disclosed abuse.
➢ To equip everyone with the skills and resources to make reasoned, informed choices in relation to personal and group safety.
➢ To keep the PCC, Parish Safeguarding Officer and all those necessary in appointed roles who have close contact with children well informed about all relevant issues or concerns.
➢ To ensure a high level of safeguarding is maintained by providing a model for open and effective communication between our Vicar, all members of the congregation, our paid/volunteer teams, the PCC, agencies involved with our church and all other visitors to our church. Posters will be displayed throughout our buildings with the relevant information on for all to see.
➢ To provide a secure Safeguarding framework that allows all children and young people to thrive and grow in both confidence and faith within the groups and activities that they attend.
Guidelines and procedures
9. We acknowledge the revised guidance from the Church of England that came into effect in January 2022. The guidance is available on the new Church of England Safeguarding Manual. The PCC also takes account of issues raised and information provided by the Diocese of Bristol Safeguarding group and implements their guidance within St. Mary’s policies.
10. We need to make sure that children and young people are kept safe by ensuring that we accept the prime duty of care placed upon Clergy, the PCC and all church members.
11. We will respond without delay to any complaint made which suggests that a child may have been harmed, co-operating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
12. We have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) who will ensure that any concerns are appropriately reported. This person will also take the role of children’s advocate.
13. The buildings are well maintained, and sessions are run with safe and appropriate activities. The Health & Safety Officer, the Vicar, the Youth minister and the PCC will consider the risks of accident which may be present with sufficient Risk Assessments in place to mitigate these risks, and if accidents do happen, lessons are always learned and policies and procedures are altered to reflect this to ensure the same risks do not occur again.
14. All those authorised to work with children and young people, or likely to have significant contact with them, and all in positions of authority are recruited in line with St Mary’s Policy for Safer Recruitment, appropriately trained using the current Bristol Diocesan training plan and supported to deal with any issues of abuse or disclosure which may occur.
15. All those people in the above categories are properly checked through references and the DBS process.
16. Any organisations and individuals who use St Mary’s church premises are aware of our policy to keep children safe from harm. Particular attention will be paid to organisations which are not otherwise vetted.
17. At events and services in the church organised specifically for children, adults permitted to be present include:
i. Parents, carers or family members of children taking part.
ii. People connected to the church, present in order to perform permitted acts such as working in the office, serving in the kitchen or carrying out maintenance work.
iii. People wishing to visit the memorial chapel; but these must be monitored by a church officer or a member of the PCC.
iv. Church members and people connected to the church who attend in order to support the Church or youth group.
When any adult has contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults during an event organised by the church, the person responsible for organising the event must ensure that the visitor does not have unsupervised contact with children, young people or adults at risk. Action to control this requirement is the responsibility of any church officer or PCC member in attendance, or, if none present, any of the persons running the event.
18. We create a culture of informed vigilance which takes children and vulnerable adults seriously.
19. We will challenge any abuse of power, especially anyone in a position of trust.
20. If any potential conflicts of interest arise due to close family relationships, other reporting pathways for any concerns are identified and announced.
21. Anyone known to us as likely to pose a threat or is known to have offended against children is effectively managed through pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, and monitored, with an up-to-date contract in place.
22. Appropriate health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments are in place.
23. Appropriate insurance cover is in place for all activities undertaken in the name of the parish.
24. We ensure children, young people or adults with additional needs and those from any minority group are fully integrated and protected within the church community.
25. All people are treated with respect and equality, taking particular care to include all people from the nine protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, marriage/civil partnership, sexual orientation, race, religion or pregnancy).
26. We provide support, as appropriate for all parents and families in the congregation and those who attend events from the wider community.
27. The Vicar and PCC review the implementation of the child protection policy, procedures and good practice, at least annually.
28. Everyone will know who the Bristol Diocese Safeguarding Officer and the Parish Safeguarding Officer is, so that if anyone has a concern, they will approach either of these persons to discuss their concerns in confidence.
29. A person’s right to confidentiality is respected and only people who ‘need to know’ have details of any abuse to a child. Personal and sensitive information will be appropriately stored within the guidelines of GDPR.
30. The ethos of our church supports appropriate ways to offer approval, reassurance or comfort. Appropriate forms of physical contact (e.g. a hug when a child is upset) can be used provided they are initiated by the child, in accordance with legal definitions and these are considered to be positive acts of caring.
31. If anyone has to use physical restraint as a last resort on a child or vulnerable person in order to ensure their safety or the safety of others, this must be reported to the Parish Safeguarding Officer or Vicar and will be recorded.
32. In all these aims we will follow legislation, Church of England guidance and recognised good practice within the UK.
A Broad Definition of Abuse
33. There are many different types of abuse, and they all result in behaviour towards a child, young person or vulnerable adult that deliberately or un/intentionally cause harm. This may include (but is not limited to):
34. In cases of abuse or concerns for an individual, the first question must always be:
➢ Is the child safe? CALL 999 IF THE CHILD IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER.
35. Remember: the safety of the child over-rides confidentiality. When in doubt: communicate and share your concerns with the Bristol Diocese Safeguarding Officer or the Parish Safeguarding Officer:
• St. Mary’s Church Parish Safeguarding Officer: Sharon Viney at safeguarding@stmarysshire.org
• Bristol Diocese Safeguarding Officer: Adam Bond at adam.bond@bristoldiocese.org or Tel: 0117 906 0100
36. If it isn’t an emergency but you need help fast:
• call the Police on 101
• Local Authority Bristol Contact for Safeguarding concerns regarding Children: First Response: 0117 903 6444;
Emergency Duty Team: 01454 615 165 (out of hours)
• If you need to obtain advice out of hours and it is not a matter that you need to discuss with the police, the thirtyone:eight organisation provide a Helpline 0303 003 11 11 (please ensure that you tell them that you are calling from the Diocese of Bristol)
37. The Bristol Diocese Safeguarding team suggest the following flow chart for step-by-step help in how to manage and report a concern:
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​Principles of intervention
38. All children, young people and vulnerable adults are given the freedom and age-appropriate independence to make reasonable, informed and calculated choices as an important factor towards lifelong learning and safety. However, where the health, safety and well being of children are seriously threatened as a result of high-risk behaviour, self-neglect or abuse by others, there is a commitment to make every effort to identify, prevent or minimise such risks.
39. Where a child or young person appears to be at risk, every reasonable effort should be made to identify the specific problems or dangers. The concerns should be discussed with the individual and also relatives and others providing care and support, and where possible agreement reached on actions which will reduce the risk to an acceptable level, taking into account the chosen lifestyle of the family concerned.
40. Where direct intervention in a child’s life is required because of the level of risk to which they are exposed, or because of the limitations on an individual’s capacity to make informed decisions, the intervention should be at the level necessary to ensure appropriate and sensible protection is provided. In these circumstances the involvement of an advocate should also be considered to help protect the interests of the child or vulnerable adult concerned.
41. Where abuse has been identified, it may be necessary to take immediate action to prevent or stop it. This might include ensuring that the alleged abuser no longer has access to the individual concerned. Where it appears that an offence has been committed against a vulnerable person, regardless of the timescale of the event, the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Diocese Safeguarding Officer and the appropriate authorities must be immediately notified.
42. When someone wants to confide in you, DO:
➢ Be accessible and receptive.
➢ Explain that you are unable to keep the information confidential if it reveals something that puts them at risk or harm. Reassure that the information will only be shared on a ‘need to know’ basis.
➢ Listen carefully and only use ‘open questions’ to clarify. Let the child talk and only ask the questions you need to know to clarify immediate safety.
➢ Take it seriously and reinforce this to the child.
➢ Re-assure the child that they are right to tell someone.
➢ Explain the next steps - tell the child you are getting help for them/and their family; prepare them for the fact that you must involve others for their protection.
➢ Report all suspicions or disclosures immediately; there will not be a convenient time, do it at once.
➢ Make careful records of what was said immediately. Use the child’s own words and include anything you asked. Keep any handwritten notes to give to the Parish Safeguarding Officer or Bristol Diocese Safeguarding Officer.
43. DON’T:
➢ Jump to conclusions.
➢ Encourage the child’s disclosure; don’t ask leading questions. The child should never be interviewed repeatedly. The police/social services interview will form the basis of future evidence.
➢ Speculate or accuse anyone.
➢ Ever ask leading questions such as ‘Did mummy/daddy do that?’, or ask questions requiring only a yes/no answer.
➢ Make promises you can’t keep (e.g. confidentiality).
➢ Ever assume that anyone can’t have done what a child says they have done.
St. Mary’s Church has a duty to record its concerns
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Points to bear in mind when monitoring and recording
44. Observation: differentiate between a ‘one-off’ incident that requires immediate attention and lower-level concerns that build up over time to form a picture. Remember observations can take place:
• over time
• in different settings
• and can be shared between people.
45. Report these observations even if it’s only a small concern. There could be multiple agencies all with small concerns that when put together to make a fuller picture reveals a much bigger level of abuse (Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018).
46. Recording: Make a written note of details as soon as possible, as you are then more likely to be accurate in recalling events later.
47. There is no such thing as ‘gut feeling’ in Safeguarding - it must be based on sound professional judgement.
48. Remember, it is the role of the police and social services to investigate. It is not your role.
Use of Technology and social media within Child Protection Guidelines
49. Technology and social media are widely used tools globally and have enhanced our ability to communicate in many ways. However, such tools can also be misused as a method of abuse that we must be aware of, in addition to the abuse that happens face to face. All those in appointed roles who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults are required to follow our Policy for E-safety, and the images and social media guidance to ensure it is used safely.
50. This includes:
➢ Not using social media / emails / texts etc. to message young people privately or one-on one as this leaves the leader in a vulnerable position themselves.
➢ If a child, young person or vulnerable adult initiates a private email, text or social media message, keep a screenshot of the message for the records, copy in another leader when responding and sorting the next course of action (whether that be to arrange for the conversation to continue face to face in an appropriate setting, or for immediate action to be taken if the individual is in danger). Inform the Parish Safeguarding Officer that this has taken place.
Procedure for the appointment of staff whether paid or unpaid
51. Bristol Diocese Safeguarding advice requires PCC members to complete the Basic Awareness, Foundation and Domestic Abuse courses. These courses are available online through the CofE Safeguarding Training Portal9. Training must be kept up to date (renewed every 3 years).
52. Appointment of staff will be in line with St Mary’s Policy for Safer Recruitment. The PCC is responsible for all those working in church - paid or unpaid. Application forms must be completed for all posts in church. References will be asked for and taken up.
53. All those having a role of responsibility with children will need to have an up-to-date DBS with the Bristol Diocese. This will be done through an enhanced check.
54. Safeguarding training is available online through the CofE Safeguarding Training Portal. In addition, St Mary’s will offer in-person Safeguarding training at least every two years, aimed at new volunteers, or for those who would like an in-person update.
55. The responsibilities of the church towards people working in paid or unpaid posts will be made clear.
56. The PCC will endeavour to support, at all times, all those carrying out roles within the church.
57. The Clergy, Youth Worker, Parish Safeguarding Officer and Bristol Diocese Safeguarding Officer will work towards providing job descriptions for all roles in our church bringing people into contact with children and vulnerable people; whether or not these are paid roles. These will be endorsed by the PCC and people will be offered an annual opportunity to review their roles.
58. If there is any further information you require, please contact the Bristol Diocese Safeguarding Officer for children or the Parish Safeguarding Officer – contact details can also be found on the notice board in the church porch, on the notice board in the Tithe Barn and on our Website and Family Facebook page.
59. This policy stands for all staff and volunteers recruited by St. Mary’s Church Shirehampton, with the table below showing the requirements for each type of role:
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Other policies at St Mary’s Church related to safeguarding
60. Other policies include:
• Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable People
• Policy for Responding to Domestic Abuse
• Health and Safety Policy (to include documents such as fire risk assessments, General Emergency Evacuation Plan [GEEP], and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans [PEEPs] as necessary)
• Policy for Safer Recruitment
• Policy for Fair Recruitment of Ex Offenders
• Policy for E-safety, Data Protection, and Handling of Disclosure Information
• St. Mary’s Youth Team Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
• Volunteer and Paid Staff Youth Team Code of Conduct
• St. Mary’s Youth Team Emergency Protocol Document (covering Safeguarding in Emergency Situations both on and off site).
61. Policy agreed by the PCC at a meeting on 6 March 2025.
62. Review frequency: Annual.
63. To be reviewed: At a timely PCC meeting after 2025 APCM.
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