Safeguarding

The Methodist Conference 2000 boldly states that: 'It is the intention of the Methodist Church to value every human being as part of God's creation' and it sets out to be: 'A place where the transformational love of God is embodied. The church seeks to be a safer place for all, including those made vulnerable as the victims and survivors of abuse. In this, the Methodist owns and learns from its past mistakes and commits itself to safeguarding as a golden thread that is integral to its life and ministry.

The Methodist Church affirms that safeguarding is a shared responsibility and everyone associated with the Church, who comes into contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults has an important role to play in this, being alert to the needs of others: listening carefully to those in need and responding sensitively and compassionately to prevent harm.

We are supported by consistent policies promoting good practice across the whole Church, available at: Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Guidance for the Methodist Church – July 2023 and we are also committed to training to enable us to grow in understanding of how we will respond in the 'Now moment,' when someone seeks our support.

This means we will:

• promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults
• work to prevent abuse from occurring
• seek to protect and respond well to those who have been abused.

We, as members of the Methodist church share a responsibility to follow the policy and procedures of the church, promoting a caring and listening culture that challenges those who seek to do harm.

What should someone do if they have a safeguarding concern?

Our standing Orders advise: 'When someone becomes aware of a safeguarding concern in their local church, circuit or district, they must:

1. Act on the concern in accordance with the Methodist Church's safeguarding policies and practice guidance. This involves ' Responding Well. ' As the District Safeguarding Officer frequently states: 'Doing nothing is not an option.'

2. Refer the concern to the Church Safeguarding Officer. The District Safeguarding Officer should be informed immediately by telephone, backed up with the completion of a 'Responding Well' form, within a time frame of 24 hours. Tel: Howard Smedley 01332 479343 Mob: 07758 239286 email:safeguarding@lincolnshiremethodist.co.uk Ask for support and advice.
3. Where necessary, the District Safeguarding Officer will inform the statutory agencies (police or social care.)

4. The referral should be made with the consent of the person who is the subject of the concern, unless this would place them or others at risk of further harm and at an appropriate time, a 'Privacy Notice should be given.'

Be assured: 'Compliance with Safeguarding procedures and policies is part of faithful discipleship.'

Karen Elvidge, Circuit Safeguarding Officer September 2023