Parish Safeguarding Officer for St. Mary’s Church: Sharon Viney

 

1. The following policy and procedures are in place to ensure that the PCC meets its obligations to safeguard Vulnerable 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.

3. In addition to Safeguarding training, it is mandatory in St. Mary’s for all members with a role that comes into significant contact with Vulnerable People to go through the Safe Recruitment Process and acquire a DBS Check before starting their role.

 

Rationale

4. Vulnerable People refers to all those adults (over 18) who have a physical disability, suffer from mental illness, have a learning disability or who, through illness or injury, are unable to provide adequately for themselves at that point.

5. Risks to Vulnerable People refers to any situation or behaviour by an individual or others which presents a real or potential threat or harm to a person’s health, safety or well being.

6. These policies and procedures also relate to staff and volunteers on whom someone described above is significantly dependant for their care and who may be at risk as a result of that person’s behaviour or action.

 

Aims

7. The objectives of the work of St Mary’s Shirehampton with Vulnerable People are to help them to develop into a mature Christian faith through the building of safe relationships with other people, in a safe environment.

8. Our aims are:

• To offer Vulnerable People opportunities within church to have a lifestyle which maintains personal independence, safeguards privacy, offers genuine and informed choices, provides opportunities to enjoy and contribute to our mission and enables them to have their social, cultural and individual needs met. They also have the right to protection from harm or exploitation.

• To work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with the individual an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.

• To offer a climate within which Vulnerable People are able to make reasonable, informed and calculated decisions involving risk taking and safety.

• To offer Vulnerable People relevant support to seek appropriate advice, where:

  • They are unable to provide adequate care for themselves

  • They are unable to obtain care necessary for their needs

  • They are unable to make reasonable decisions because of their state of mental health

  • They are living in insanitary/unsafe accommodation or are homeless.

• To seek support and advice for our church community where their behaviour is such that it presents a real or potential threat of harm to their own health, safety or well being or to that of others.

• To keep the PCC, Parish Safeguarding Officer and all those necessary in appointed roles who have close contact with Vulnerable People well informed about all relevant issues or concerns.

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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 Vulnerable 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 person 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 take responsibility for policy and procedures for the protection of Vulnerable People, and ensure that any concerns are appropriately reported.  This person will also take the role of Vulnerable People’s advocate.

13. The building is as safe as possible. The Health & Safety Officer, the Vicar 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.

14. All those authorised to work with Vulnerable People, or likely to be alone 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 Vulnerable People safe from harm. Particular attention will be paid to organisations which are not otherwise vetted.

17. We create a culture of informed vigilance which takes Vulnerable People seriously.

18. We will challenge any abuse of power, especially anyone in a position of trust.

19. Anyone known to us as likely to pose a threat or is known to have offended against a Vulnerable person 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.

20. Appropriate health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments are in place.

21. Appropriate insurance cover is in place for all activities undertaken in the name of the parish.

22. 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).

23. The Vicar and PCC review the implementation of the Vulnerable People policy, procedures and good practice, at least annually.

24. 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. This role for the protection of Vulnerable People is currently part of the duty of the Parish Safeguarding Officer.

25. 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.

26. 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 person is upset) can be used provided they are initiated by the Vulnerable Person, in accordance with legal definitions and these are considered to be positive acts of caring.

27. If anyone has to use physical restraint as a last resort on a 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.

28. In all these aims we will follow legislation, Church of England guidance and recognised good practice within the UK.

 

Risk factors for Vulnerable People

29. Risk factors include:

•  Physical, e.g. accidents including fire, malnutrition, hypothermia, neglect, and alcohol or drug misuse, including prescribed medication

• Mental health, e.g. depression, dementia, fears, guilt, paranoia and suicidal tendencies

• Social, e.g. social isolation, exploitation, antagonism, marital difficulties, relationship problems, sexual  inhibition

• Psychological, e.g. trauma arising from past experience of abuse, serious accident or sudden loss.

 

 

A Broad Definition of Abuse

1. Abuse exists in the context of the relationship and means that both the behaviour of the abuser and the effects on the abused come into the definition. There are many different types of abuse, and they all result in behaviour towards a vulnerable adult that deliberately or un/intentionally cause harm. This may include (but is not limited to):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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31. In cases of abuse or concerns for an individual, the first question must always be:

• Is the person safe?   CALL 999 IF THE PERSON IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER.

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32. Remember: the safety of the person 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

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33. If it isn’t an emergency but you need help fast:

• call the Police on 101

• 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)

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34. 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

35. Reasonable, informed and calculated risk-taking play an important part in contributing to the quality of life of both young and old; this is a matter of choice, demonstrating an individual’s right of self determination and autonomy. However, where the health, safety and well being of Vulnerable People are seriously threatened as a result of self-neglect or abuse by others, there is a commitment to make every effort to identify, prevent or minimise such risks. In exercising these responsibilities we must be aware of, and sensitive to, an individuals ethnic origin, culture, religious beliefs, gender and sexual orientation.

36. Where a 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 person concerned.

37. Where direct intervention in a person’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 person concerned.

38. 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 Vulnerable Person concerned. Where it appears that an offence has been committed against a Vulnerable Person, who is unable to make informed decisions and that person remains in danger of physical harm, the Parish Safeguarding Officer must be immediately notified.

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Allegations of Previous Abuse

39. Allegations of abuse may be made some time after the event by a person who was abused as a child; the Parish Safeguarding Officer must be immediately notified.

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When someone wants to confide in you

40. DO:

• Be accessible and receptive.

• Listen carefully and only use ‘open questions’ to clarify. Let the person talk and only ask the questions you need to know to clarify immediate safety.

• Take it seriously and reinforce this to the person.

• Re-assure the person that they are right to tell someone.

• Negotiate getting help - tell the person you are getting help for them, and their family - prepare them for the fact that you must involve others.

• Explain that you cannot protect them personally, but that you can support them by telling the right people so that the abuse stops.

• 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 person’s own words and include anything you asked. Keep any handwritten notes to give to the Parish Safeguarding Officer.

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41. DON’T:

• Jump to conclusions, speculate or accuse anyone.

• Encourage the person’s disclosure; don’t ask leading questions. The person should never be interviewed repeatedly. The police/social services interview will form the basis of future evidence.

• Ever ask leading questions, or ask questions requiring only a yes/no answer.

• Make promises you can’t keep.

• Ever assume that anyone can’t have done what a person says they have done.

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St. Mary’s Church has a duty to record its concerns

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Points to bear in mind when monitoring and recording

42. 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.

43. Recording: Make a written note of details as soon as possible, as you are then more likely to be accurate in recalling events later.

44. There is no such thing as ‘gut feeling’ in Safeguarding - it must be based on sound professional judgement. Remember, it is the role of the police and social services to investigate. It is not your role.

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Use of Technology and social media

45. 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.

46. This includes:

• Not using social media / emails / texts etc. to message Vulnerable People privately or one-on-one as this leaves the leader in a vulnerable position themselves.

• If a Vulnerable Person 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.

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Procedure for the appointment of staff whether paid or unpaid

47. 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. The responsibilities of the church towards people working in paid or unpaid posts will be made clear.

48. The PCC will endeavour to support, at all times, all those carrying out roles within the church.

49.If there is any further information you require, please contact the Bristol Diocese Safeguarding Officer or the Parish Safeguarding Officer.

50.This policy stands for all staff and volunteers recruited by St. Mary’s Church Shirehampton.

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Other policies at St Mary’s Church related to safeguarding

51.Other policies include:

• Policy for the Protection of Children and Young 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.

 

52.Policy agreed by the PCC at a meeting on 16 January 2025.

53. Review frequency:  Annual.

54.To be reviewed:  At a timely PCC meeting after 2025 APCM.

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