Stamford All Saints'
The Safeguarding Officer is Niamh Holman. Please contact her here.
For further information please click here.
The new Safeguarding Policy, as adopted by the PCC on 25th February 2025 is here. This has been updated to meet the new guidelines from the Church of England.
Stamford All Saints’ with St John’s PCC
Name of policy: Safeguarding Policy
Created: February 2025
Adopted: 25th February 2025
Signed by: John Sutcliffe (Vice Chair of PCC)
Review date: February 2026
Introduction
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to promoting a safer church for all.
Purpose
This Policy governs the church, the people and the activities in All Saints’.
Definitions
Children: Any individual under the age of 18
Vulnerable adults: any individual aged 18 or over who, due to age, illness, disability, or other circumstances, may be unable to care for themselves or protect themselves from harm or exploitation
Lone working: A situation where an individual is alone with one or more children or vulnerable adult, either in person or online, without another responsible adult present
Policy
This policy applies to All Saints’ Church and is applicable to and must be followed by all staff and volunteers.
Our overall aim is to promote a safer environment and culture in and around All Saints’ by:
1. Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church
2. Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
3. Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
4. Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons
5. Be aware of those that may pose a risk to others
6. Provide clear guidance on lone working
7. Provide clear guidance on appropriate boundaries
Procedures
The Parish will:
Create a safe and caring place for all.
Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish by;
1. Recruiting, training and supporting all those with any responsibility (see Appendix A) for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse, including maintaining a training log.
Following guidance from the church of England’s ‘safer recruitment and people management guidance’ (see Appendix B)
Following a programme of supervision and probation including an initial 3 month review, followed by 6 monthly supervisions according to section 13 of safer recruitment guidance (see Appendix C)
2. Responding promptly to safeguarding concerns or allegations we will;
· Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) – Niamh Holman to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures
· Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs (Appendix D)
· Signpost victims of abuse to relevant national services and the processes to follow in reporting or making disclosures
· Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse
· Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately (Appendix E)
3. Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse we will;
· Follow the guidance set out in section 2 and 3 of the Responding well to victims and survivors of abuse Guidance (see Appendices F & G)
4. Finding guidance to support those who are subject to allegations
5. Being aware of those that may present a risk to others, we will
· Ensure that all volunteers and paid members of staff have up to date safeguarding training at the relevant level
· All volunteers and paid members of staff are clear on the reporting process
· The PSO and incumbent will report regularly to the PCC
All Saints’ Church is committed to safeguarding all children, young people, and vulnerable adults involved in its activities. This section outlines the specific safeguarding risks associated with lone working and provides clear guidance to ensure the safety of all individuals (see Appendix H).
All Saints’ Church is committed to ensuring that all interactions with children and vulnerable adults are safe, respectful, and professional. This section provides clear guidelines on maintaining appropriate boundaries to protect the well being of children, vulnerable adults, and those engaging in ministry or volunteering roles within the church (see Appendix I)
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
Responsibilities
The members of the PCC with overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy are: Niamh Holman (PSO) and Fr Neil Shaw (Rector)
Review
This policy will be reviewed and updated annually.
Appendices
Appendix A
Safer environment and activites guidance
Appendix B
Safer recruitment and people management guidance
Appendix C
Section 13 of the safer recruitment and people management guidance
Appendix D
Purple poster for display in church
Appendix E
House of Bishops guidance on reporting concerns
Appendix F
Section 2 of the Responding well to victims and survivors of abuse Guidance
Appendix G
Section 3 of the Responding well to victims and survivors of abuse Guidance
Appendix H
Lone working policy
Introduction
All Saints’ Church is committed to safeguarding all children, young people, and vulnerable adults involved in its activities. This policy outlines the specific safeguarding risks associated with lone working and provides clear guidance to ensure the safety of all individuals.
Scope
This policy applies to all clergy, staff, and volunteers who may find themselves working alone with children (under 18) or vulnerable adults during church activities or pastoral visits.
Definitions
• Children: Any individual under the age of 18.
• Vulnerable Adults: Any individual aged 18 or over who, due to age, illness, disability, or other circumstances, may be unable to care for themselves or protect themselves from harm or exploitation.
• Lone Working: A situation where an individual is alone with one or more children or vulnerable adults, either in person or online, without another responsible adult present.
Policy on Lone Working with Children or Vulnerable Adults
1. General Rule: Lone working with children or vulnerable adults must be avoided. This includes situations before, during, or after church activities, such as giving lifts home or one-to-one conversations.
2. In-Person Interaction: At least two adults should be present when working with or supervising children or vulnerable adults.
3. Online Interaction: One-to-one online chats, direct messaging, or video calls between church representatives and children or vulnerable adults are prohibited unless prior consent has been obtained from parents or guardians in the case of children, and another adult is aware of the communication.
Exceptions to Lone Working
1. Pastoral Visits: Lone working may occur during pastoral visits. In these cases:
• The initial visit must always be conducted by a member of the clergy in a
public space (e.g., a café).
• The initial visit is used to assess future risk and determine the suitability of
subsequent one-to-one visits.
• Subsequent visits must follow a clear risk management plan to ensure the
safety of both the visitor and the individual being visited.
2. Health and Safety Lone Working:
• This guidance does not apply to individuals working alone for non-safeguarding
tasks, such as cleaners or flower arrangers.
• While “lone working” from a health and safety perspective may still be of
concern to the PCC (Parochial Church Council), it is not a safeguarding issue.
Such situations should follow the church’s Health and Safety Policy.
Transportation Guidance
• Adults should avoid being alone in a car with a child or vulnerable adult.
Reporting and Accountability
• Any incidents or concerns involving lone working must be reported immediately
to the Parish Safeguarding Officer or the Diocese Safeguarding Adviser.
• Regular training and awareness sessions will be provided to clergy, staff, and
volunteers to ensure compliance with this policy.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Breaches of this policy will be taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action, suspension, or termination of duties
Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant, effective, and aligned with safeguarding legislation and best practices.
Appendix I
Appropriate Boundaries Policy
Introduction
All Saints’ Church is committed to ensuring that all interactions with children and vulnerable adults are safe, respectful, and professional. This policy provides clear guidelines on maintaining appropriate boundaries to protect the wellbeing of children, vulnerable adults, and those engaging in ministry or volunteering roles within the church.
Scope
This policy applies to all clergy, staff, and volunteers involved in activities at All Saints’ Church, including pastoral care, youth work, and church-related events.
Definitions
• Children: Any individual under the age of 18.
• Vulnerable Adults: Any individual aged 18 or over who, due to age, illness,
disability, or other circumstances, may be unable to care for themselves or
protect themselves from harm or exploitation.
Policy Guidelines
1. Respect and Professionalism: All interactions with children and vulnerable adults must be conducted with the utmost respect, professionalism, and care to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
2. Personal Boundaries: Clergy, staff, and volunteers must maintain clear boundaries, avoiding any behaviour or actions that could be misinterpreted or cause harm.
3. Physical Contact: Physical contact should only occur if it is necessary, appropriate, and with the consent of the child or vulnerable adult. For example, physical touch may be appropriate for comfort or guidance, but it must always be respectful and culturally sensitive.
4. Gifts and Favouritism: Clergy, staff, and volunteers must avoid giving or receiving gifts that could be interpreted as favouritism or create an undue sense of obligation.
5. Babysitting and Personal Favour Requests: Members of the clergy must not use parishioners, particularly children or vulnerable adults, as babysitters or for other personal tasks. This includes situations where parishioners may feel obligated due to the clergy’s position of authority.
Communication Boundaries
1. Appropriate Language: Use language that is clear, respectful, and age-appropriate. Avoid jokes, comments, or discussions that could be misinterpreted or are inappropriate in a church setting.
2. Electronic Communication: Any communication with children or vulnerable adults must be transparent and use official church channels.
Reporting Concerns
All clergy, staff, and volunteers have a duty to report any concerns regarding inappropriate behaviour or boundary violations to the Parish Safeguarding Officer or the Diocese Safeguarding Adviser.
Consequences of Boundary Violations
Any breach of this policy will be taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or termination of duties, and could also lead to legal action.
Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant and in line with safeguarding guidelines and legal requirements.
This church appoints Niamh Holman as the Parish Safeguarding Officer