The safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk is an important part of all Church activities and reflects both our societal and ecumenical commission. Our policies contained within ‘Safeguarding in the Diocese of London’, (2012) guides all those within the Diocese of London on the part that they play in safeguarding across the whole church community.

Policy

The new Safeguarding Policy, Safeguarding in the Diocese of London, can be accessed here.

Introduction

The Diocese of London is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk to worship and grow in Christ safely. This is done in a coordinated and supported manner and involves Church Safeguarding Officers and Parish Priests at parish level making timely responses to concerns (advice sought/action within 24 hours), informing the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (DST) of these and drawing support from the NSPCC helpline and local authorities when necessary. The DST, with each Area Bishop’s office and the Senior Staff, will ensure the overall management of safeguarding across the diocese, drawing in specialist support as needed.

All churches and faith communities are required to have in place arrangements which include:

• Procedures to respond to and report concerns
• Codes of safe practice
• Safer recruitment procedures

Our policies will govern the work undertaken with children, young people and adults at risk who attend church or take part in activities on church premises (or that are organised by the church) within the parish.

Liability insurance in relation to such issues may be invalidated if such policy is not in place and being implemented.

Diocesan Safeguarding Team (DST)

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team (DST) consists of the following members:

• The Ven Dr William Jacob, Archdeacon of Charing Cross, Bishop’s Portfolio holder for Safeguarding
• Paula Bailey, Head of Human Resources
• Sam Donoghue, Children’s Ministry Advisor
• Sheryl Kent, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer

The DST is responsible for coordinating all the mechanisms for safeguarding practice across the Diocese through the provision of specialist advice, support, administration and monitoring.

Diocesan Safeguarding Team
safeguarding@london.anglican.org 
020 7932 1224

Safeguarding concerns

Any concerns in the diocese should be brought to the attention of the Church Safeguarding Officer (parishes) who can seek advice from the DST. Other areas of the Diocese (i.e. chaplaincies) should contact the DST directly. Out of hours advice can be sought from the NSPCC’s dedicated Diocesan helpline on 0800 731 9256. You will be able to get confidential advice, guidance and support. Out of hours concerns regarding adults at risk should be reported to the out of hour’s duty social worker at the local authority.

A flow chart showing this procedure is available from this page.

Parish responsibilities

The current policies require that PCCs should:

• formally adopt and implement the Diocesan joint policy for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk ‘Safeguarding in the Diocese of London’ and the associated procedures provided by the Diocese. PCC’s are strongly advised not to amend the suggested Policy Statement provided. Where helpful, Parish Guidelines which implement your adopted policy may be developed and appended. One copy of this policy statement should be kept with the PCC minutes, another copy sent to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and one copy displayed prominently in the church
• appoint at least one Church Safeguarding Officer to work with the parish priest and the PCC to implement the policy and procedures. The Church Safeguarding Officer should attend the PCC at least twice a year
• appoint a person, who should be different from the Church Safeguarding Officer, to be a Children’s Champion. This should be someone children know they could talk to about any problems, if they so wish
• display in church premises where children’s activities take place, the contact details of the Church Safeguarding Officer and Children’s Champion with, ‘Childline’ 0800 1111 and ‘Parentline Plus’ 0808 800 222 and NSPCC Helpline 0808 731 9256 numbers
• ensure that all those authorised to work with children are appropriately recruited according to safer recruitment practice and are trained and supported
• ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities which involve children undertaken in the name of the parish
• ensure all those hiring church premises undertake to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities towards children and young people
• review the implementation in the parish of the safeguarding children policy, procedures and good practice, at least annually. The report should be presented to the PCC by the Church Safeguarding Officer.
• where working within Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs), agree which denomination or organisation’s safeguarding children policy to follow, including where to seek advice in urgent situations. This decision should be ratified both by the bishop and other appropriate church leaders in the partnership
• in the event of a specific safeguarding concern, ensure that all the LEP partners are also notified.

All queries about safeguarding and training opportunities should be sent to safeguarding@london.anglican.org

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Applications

A revised application form was launched by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in November 2012. Blank application forms can be requested by emailing safeguarding@london.anglican.org. All those working with children and young people in a position of trust will require a CRB disclosure as part of the safer recruitment procedures (these apply to both voluntary and paid roles). A new CRB should be requested every 5 years. In order for the Diocese to act as your umbrella body and process applications for your parish, you will need to have signed an agreement with the Diocese and have appointed an Evidence Checker (role description below). Guidance and support is available through the documents below.