Provincial Safeguarding Policy, Guidance and Forms

• Introduction to Safeguarding (PDF)

Table of Contents:

Glossary - 2
Introduction to Safeguarding Guidance - 3
What is safeguarding? - 3
Safeguarding in a church context - 3
Duty of care - 3
Safeguarding Governance - 3
Safeguarding Principles - 4
Safeguarding standards - 4
Legislation and Wales Safeguarding Procedures - 5
Safeguarding - Definitions - 5
Children - 5
Adults at Risk - 5
A child at risk - 5
Signs of Abuse - 6
Roles of statutory organisations (Local Authority and Police) - 6
Appendix A – Provincial Safeguarding Team Responsibilities - 8
Director of Safeguarding - 8
Safeguarding Manager - 8
Provincial Safeguarding Officer - 9
Engagement and Assurance Officer - 9
Lead Safeguarding Trainer - 10
Safeguarding Trainer - 11
Safeguarding Administrator - 11
Appendix B – Diocesan Safeguarding Responsibilities - 13
Lead Bishop for Safeguarding - 13
Diocesan Bishop - 13
Archdeacons - 14
Ministry / Mission Area Council (MAC); Parochial Church Council (PCC); Priest in charge (and Churchwardens) - 15
Ministry / Mission Area Safeguarding Officer role is to - 16

• Promoting Safer Practice for Children and Adults at Risk (PDF)

Table of Contents:

Introduction. 2
Principles of Good Practice. 2
Positions of Trust 6
Participating in Activities. 8
Risk. 8
Consent 8
Supervision of children. 9
Children under five years. 9
Transport 9
Transporting children. 10
Child restraints and seatbelts. 11
First Aid. 11
Medication. 12
Fire Safety. 12
Filming and taking photographs. 12
Data protection. 12
Consent for the taking of images. 13
Using and storing images. 14
Residential events. 15
Safeguarding Children in Specific Circumstances. 15
Church and cathedral choirs with children. 16
Young Helpers. 16
Bell ringers. 17
Concerts, tours, visits, off-site activities, and social events. 17
Altar Servers. 17
Safeguarding Specific to Ministry. 18

• Responding to a Safeguarding Concern (PDF)

Table of Contents:

Introduction - 2
How to contact a Provincial Safeguarding Officer - 2
Responding to a disclosure of abuse - 2
Raising concerns about a person in a position of trust - 3
What is a position of trust? - 3
What constitutes a breach of trust? - 4
How to respond to a concern about a person in a position of trust within the Church - 5
Recording and record keeping in cases relating to a breach of trust - 6
Temporary removal from role - 6
Duty to refer to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - 7
Reporting non-recent abuse - 7
Where the perpetrator is still alive - 7
Where the perpetrator is deceased or unknown - 8
Responding to victims and survivors - 8
Pastoral care and spiritual support - 9
Supporting Victims and Survivors - 9
Supporting Workers - 9
Dealing with the aftermath of disclosure in a church community - 10
Whistle-blowing (confidential reporting) - 12
Confidentiality and anonymity - 12
Raising a concern - 12
How the Church will Respond - 12
Confidentiality and information sharing - 13
Sharing information safely - 13
Responding to the media - 14

• Responding Well to Survivors

Table of Contents

Introduction - 1
Foundations of Good Practice - 1
Governance - 2
Disclosures - 3
Survivor Support - 6
Links to Support for Victims and Survivors - 8
Apologising - 9
Forgiveness - 11

• Survivor Support Scheme (PDF)

Table of Contents

Eligibility - 1
Scope - 1
Process - 1
Application & Assessment -1
Decision Making Panel - 2
Counselling - 2

• Whistleblowing (PDF)

Table of Contents:

Whistleblowing Guidance (Safeguarding) - 2
Purpose - 2
What is whistleblowing - 2
Who does this guidance relate to? - 2
Protection - 3
Confidentiality and anonymity - 3
Making a report - 3
Response to a report - 4
Escalation process - 4
Governance - 5

• Guidance on the Church in Wales safeguarding referral form (PDF)

Table of Contents:

Reporting a safeguarding concern or allegation - 2
Recording a Safeguarding Concern or Disclosure - 3
Recording and Record-Keeping Guidance - 4
Storage of Records - 4

• Responding to those who may present a risk (PDF)

Table of Contents:

Responding to Those who may Present a Risk - 2
Taking action - 2
Safeguarding Agreements - 3
What is a Safeguarding Agreement? - 3
When does a Safeguarding Agreement need to be put in place? - 3
Why are Safeguarding Agreements important? - 4
Who needs to be involved in putting a safeguarding agreement in place? - 4
Safeguarding Agreement Meetings - 5
Content and Management of a Safeguarding Agreement - 5
Reviewing a Safeguarding Agreement - 6
Duration of Safeguarding Agreement - 6
Handover of Safeguarding Agreements - 7
What if an individual moves to a new church? - 7
Support for Survivors - 7

• Safeguarding good practice & Code of Conduct (PDF)

Good practice for the safeguarding of children and adults in the church

The Church in Wales Safeguarding Policy and associated guidance should be referred to for complete information. This safeguarding guidance is for all those, paid and volunteers, who are working with or supporting children and/or adults at risk. Ensure that all those working with children and/or adults at risk have a copy of this reference guide.

• Church Choirs with Children – Code of practice (PDF)

Table of Contents:

Church Choirs with Children - 2
Introduction - 2
Personnel - 3
Roles and Responsibilities - 3
Physical Contact - 4
Conversation and Demeanour - 4
The Pastoral Role of Chaperones - 5
Infatuations and Crushes - 5
Concerts, tours, visits and other off-site activities - 5
Social events - 6
Meetings between adults and children outside Choir activities - 6
Communication with Choristers outside Choir activities - 6

• Keeping safe online (PDF)

A Guide for Children
Keeping Safe Online - A Guide for Older Children
Emails
Church’s Acceptable Use of ICT Policy

• Domestic Abuse Guidance 2024

Table of Contents:

Recognising Domestic abuse - 7

Responding to Domestic abuse - 8

Report or Concern of Domestic Abuse Flow Cart - 10

Honor Based Abuse - 13

Forced marriage - 13

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - 14

• Risk Assessment and Management (PDF)

Table of Contents:

Risk Assessment and Management - 2
What is a risk assessment? - 2
When will we need to do a risk assessment? - 2
Risk Assessment Process - 3
Estimating the level of risk - 4
Church in Wales Risk Assessment Template - 6

• Safer Recruitment of Volunteers Guidance (DOC)

Table of Contents:
Statement - 2
Scope - 2
Roles and Responsibilities - 2
My Church People - 2
Training - 2
Recruitment Procedures - 3
Role Descriptions - 3
Advertising - 3
Application Forms - 3
Interviews - 3
Assessments - 4
References and Background Checks - 4
References - 4
DBS Checks - 4
Safeguarding Checks - 4
Offer of volunteer role - 4
Volunteer Agreements- 4
Support Period - 5
Form K - 7
Volunteer Agreement - 11
Role Description (Volunteer) - 13
Application form (Volunteer roles) - 14
Support meeting - 17