Safeguarding (formerly 'Child Protection')

As Christians we must ensure that the children who meet on our premises are valued and cared for.  The whole church, under the leadership of the minister, stewards, and Church Council, is responsible for their safety and welfare and for implementing our Safeguarding Policy.  This sets out the ways in which we seek to carry out the policy of  the Methodist Church, following the guidelines of the Home Office.  A copy is available on request. 

The policy of the Methodist Church is contained in the document Safeguarding (latest edition 2003 and subsequent updates. All details are on http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=information.content&cmid=1196

All our volunteers now have an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), and all those who wish to join any of our teams of children’s workers have to apply for a Disclosure from the CRB as part of the registration process, which also includes giving the names of two referees.

Disclosures will be renewed at regular intervals.  We can currently accept a Disclosure from another organisation which is no more than 12 months old.  We are also accepting the systems of registration of the uniformed organisations (Girl Guide Association etc.).  We  keep a record of all our volunteer workers which is updated regularly.

We comply with the guidelines issued in January 2007 by the Methodist Church on Church Photography, the Internet and Publicity.

Guidance and advice on all these matters can be obtained from the Safeguarding Co-ordinator through the webmaster.