Plymouth & District Methodist Church 

Safeguarding

PLYMOUTH and DEVONPORT METHODIST CIRCUIT SAFEGUARDING EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS 

Please contact Terry Millam  on 07727266979   or email  safeguarding@pdmcircuit.org.uk  

​(For individual churches please visit their website)

Statement of safeguarding principles

Every person has a value and dignity, which comes directly from the creation of humans in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.

Principles

We are committed to:


In all these principles, we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.

Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy for The Plymouth and Devonport Methodist Church Circuit

1. The Policy

The Methodist Church, along with the whole Christian community, believes each person has a value and dignity which comes directly from God’s creation of humans in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things, this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.

The Plymouth and Devonport Methodist Church Circuit is committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults and affirms that the needs of children and of people when they are vulnerable and at risk are paramount.

The Plymouth and Devonport Methodist Church Circuit recognises that it has a particular care for all who are vulnerable whether by disabilities or by reduction in capacities or by their situation. It is recognised that this increased vulnerability may be temporary or permanent and may be visible or invisible, but that it does not diminish our humanity and our wish to affirm the gifts and graces of all God’s people. This policy addresses the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is intended to be a dynamic policy. It is intended to support the Church in being a safe, supportive and caring community for children, young people, vulnerable adults, for survivors of abuse, for communities and for those affected by abuse.

The Plymouth and Devonport Methodist Church Circuit fully agrees with the statement reiterated in:

Creating Safer Space 2007:

As the people of the Methodist Church we are concerned with the wholeness of each individual within God’s purpose for everyone. We seek to safeguard all members of the church community of all ages.

 

The Plymouth and Devonport Methodist Church Circuit recognises the serious issue of the abuse of children and vulnerable adults and recognises that this may take the form of physical, emotional, sexual, financial, spiritual, discriminatory, domestic, or institutional abuse or neglect, abuse using social media, child sexual exploitation or human trafficking (slavery). It acknowledges the effects these may have on people and their development, including spiritual and religious development. It accepts its responsibility for ensuring that all people are safe in its care and that their dignity and right to be heard is maintained. It accepts its responsibility to support, listen to and work for healing with survivors, offenders, communities and those who care about them. It takes seriously the issues of promotion of welfare so that each of us can reach our full potential in God’s grace.

The Plymouth and Devonport Methodist Church Circuit commits itself to:


2. Purpose

The purpose of this safeguarding policy is to ensure that procedures are in place and people are clear about roles and responsibilities for children and vulnerable adults in our care and using our premises. It is to be read in conjunction with the Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Guidance (2020). The full implementation of these policies should ensure that:


3. Roles and Responsibilities

3.1. Circuit Meeting

It is the responsibility of each Circuit Meeting to appoint a Circuit Safeguarding Officer and there should be no gaps in this crucial provision. It is not appropriate for a minister in pastoral charge or circuit superintendent to fill any gap, because of the potential conflict of roles but an individual safeguarding officer may cover the role in more than one location. The role will usually be undertaken on a voluntary basis, although expenses should be met. Ultimate responsibility for safeguarding within the circuit lies with the Circuit Meeting. The circuit safeguarding officer should be a member of the Circuit Meeting or have the right to attend at least annually to report on implementation of the safeguarding policy. Where an individual holds the role in more than one location, they must be able to cover the activities identified in the relevant role outline and be facilitated to attend meetings to report on safeguarding in each location.

 

The Plymouth and Devonport Methodist Church Circuit:


Appoints Mr Terry Millam as Circuit Safeguarding Officer (Adults) and Circuit Safeguarding Officer (Children) and supports him in their role.

 

The circuit meeting holds the following responsibilities, which may be delegated to the Circuit Safeguarding Officer, if appropriate:


Where a circuit safeguarding officer carries out the above activities, there is a requirement for supervisory oversight, which will be arranged by the superintendent minister and carried out by them or a nominated substitute.  Records of oversight meetings will be signed and agreed.  Supervision will include consideration of wellbeing and discussions of the areas of activity included within the role on a regular basis.

3.2. Superintendent Minister


Circuit stewards

The circuit stewards must ensure that agreed procedures are in place for circuit and ecumenical events that involve children or vulnerable adults.

Procedures for circuit events involving children, young people or vulnerable adults

It is essential that circuit events that involve children or vulnerable adults do not slip through the net because they are not owned by one church. Circuit events must be notified to the DSO prior to final agreement with the event organiser to ensure that all permissions, risk assessments and good practice guidelines are in place.

 

Responsibility for those planning and leading the event

All those involved in leading and running the event must be aware of the procedure.

The event should have been planned effectively and attention given to the following issues:


This information is to be sent to the DSO for approval PRIOR to the event being agreed.

Key concepts and definitions

[1] Or membership of (PVG scheme Scotland).

Useful Contacts

24 hour Hotline: Advice and assessment

Plymouth  01752 308600/346984

adviceandassessment@plymouth.gov.uk

Plymouth LSCB 01752 307535

Devon:   L A Children’s services – 01392 384444

Out of hours service – 0845 6000388

Plymouth: L A Children’s services – 01752 308600

Out of hours service – 01752 346984

VULNERABLE ADULTS

Devon:  Vulnerable Adults  - 0300 1234 131

Out of hours service - 01208 251300                                                                     

Plymouth:  Vulnerable adults - 01720 422148

Out of hours service - 01720 422699

National: Children - 01803 208100 

Out of Hours Service - 01803 524519

National : Vulnerable adults - 01803 219700

Out of Hours Service - 01803 524519

SAFEGUARDING EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS 

Please contact Terry Millam  on 07727266979   or email  safeguarding@pdmcircuit.org.uk