Support and Policy
A collection of resources to support you in safeguarding in local churches and circuits.
If you can’t find what you are looking for, or have further questions, our Regional Officer for Safeguarding is available to offer further support.
Sarah Howell
Regional Officer for Safeguarding
Spotlight on Safeguarding with our Regional Officer for Safeguarding
Each month our Regional Officer for Safeguarding hosts a Spotlight on Safeguarding online gathering for Q&A, sometimes with guest speakers. Each one lasts just 40 minutes, and designed to be a focused, content rich session.
Sign up details for each session are available from your Circuit Safeguarding Officer.
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Santa's Safeguarding Special Christmas events, Santa's Grottos, Christingles, photography, seasonal volunteers and festive risk assessments.
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Elder Abuse, Self-Neglect and Hoarding (Safeguarding week) Recognising concerns, understanding risk and responding appropriately in church communities.
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No session (general drop in)
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Monitoring and Support Groups Purpose, membership, accountability, support, recording, review processes and common pitfalls.
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Is It Safeguarding? Navigating the Grey Areas Conduct, complaints, disputes, poor practice, safeguarding thresholds and decision making.
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Risk Assessments That Actually Work Moving beyond paperwork to meaningful safeguarding risk assessments for events, activities and church life.
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Supporting Vulnerable Adults Creating safer, inclusive and supportive church communities whilst maintaining appropriate boundaries.
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Social Media, Photography and Online Safety Photography, livestreaming, websites, WhatsApp groups, digital communication and online boundaries.
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Welcoming Refugees and Asylum Seekers Safely (Refugee week) Understanding vulnerability, promoting inclusion and considering safeguarding implications for church life and volunteering.
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Children and Families Creating safe and welcoming environments for children, young people and families through church activities and events.
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No session (general drop in)
Safeguarding Policy and Guidance
Includes full Policy and Procedures, plus model policies for church use, and additional guidance documents for particular roles or contexts.
The 2015 Past Cases Review which significantly underpins current safeguarding policy and procedure.
Policy & procedure for recruiting volunteers and lay employees.
in general terms, safeguarding records have a retention period of up to 75 years. Please see the Archivists Handbook for full details on record retention.
Theology and Safeguarding
A study guide for the Theology of Safeguarding, with accompanying video resources on:
Welcome
Language, listening and hearing
Power
Impact of Abuse
This resource underpins the safeguarding policy and practice of the Methodist Church and is especially important for those in ministry.