Affpuddle Safeguarding Policies

Parish of Affpuddle with Turnerspuddle in the Church of England Diocese of Salisbury. The following policy was first issued on 1 April 2015 and was reviewed on 1 April 2019:

As members of the PCC we commit our church community to the support, nurture, protection and safeguarding of all, especially the young and vulnerable. We recognise that our work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church community. We are fully committed to acting within current legislation, guidance, national frameworks and the Diocesan of Salisbury Safeguarding and Good Practice Guidelines. We will also endeavour to act in an open, transparent and accountable way in working in partnership with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Children and Adult Social Care Services, the Police, Probation Services and other agencies to safeguard children and young people and assist in bringing to justice anyone who has committed an offence against them.

1. We will ensure that all the necessary checks are made to promote the safe selection and recruitment of ordained and lay ministers, paid workers and volunteers working with children and young people, and to provide the necessary supervision, support and training to them in order that they can undertake their roles effectively.

2. We will respond without delay to every concern raised that a child or young person or may have been harmed, or be at risk from harm or abuse, or be at risk from the behaviour of an adult or child.

3. We will fully co-operate with the Diocese and appropriate statutory agencies during any investigation into abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church community.

4. We will ensure that pastoral care is made available to children and young people and their families and to any member of our church community against whom an allegation is made.

5. We will ensure, in partnership with the Diocese and other agencies, that care and supervision is provided for any member of our church community known to have offended against a child or young person, or to pose a risk to them.

6. We are committed to reviewing our Safeguarding Policy annually, and as part of this, to check that our parish safeguarding procedures, including DBS checks, are up-to-date and relevant. Our Policy will be endorsed at the first meeting of the PCC following APCM so that new members are aware of their responsibilities and to confirm the existence of the parish policy.