Updated 12/08/2024

Safeguarding

The following document is the safe guarding policy of the entity known as the following: Christ the Good Shepherd. Safeguarding within the entity is one of the most important issues that the church takes. All our Priests, Deacons, and safeguarding teams are trained and all have background checks done in order to keep all safe within all activities on and off church campuses.

Christ the good Shepherd, its clergy and volunteers are committed to the following:

1. Creating a safe environment where all are welcome and feel able to speak out about any concerns
   

2. To providing pastoral care for victims and survivors of abuse
   

3. To work with local authorities for those who are victims and survivors raising any concerns regardless of status or circumstances
   

4. To carrying out risk assessments and put measures in place when someone is at risk
   

5. To carrying out the right checks for anyone who works with children and vulnerable persons
   

6. To keep up to date with safeguarding practices through the right channels of training
   
   

Reporting abuse and finding support

Reporting: If any person has any information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention a call to the emergency services is made without delay and all information is to be handed over. (Call 999)

1. The parent or guardian of the child or vulnerable persons will be notified.
   

2. Should the abuse be of the conduct of the staff that person shall be dismissed from their role and be reported to the authorities,
   

3. In the case of a clergy member they shall submit their license back to the church and know they are removed from ever holding such a office again returning them to the state of a layperson and be reported to the authorities,.
   

4. The church will designate a spokesperson to the media concerning incidents of abuse or neglect. The advice of legal counsel will be sought before responding to media inquiries or releasing information about the situation to the congregation. All other representatives of the organization should refrain from speaking to the media.
   

5. A pastoral visit will be arranged for those who desire it. This should be for the purpose of providing pastoral support during the time of crisis and not for the purpose of investigating the incident or influencing the investigation. 

Finding Support: We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing for a person or their families and it may add to their hurt by our not being able to immediately assist them. We have put together a contact list of agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services, in the meantime we ask that all contact a local police force who will gladly assist.

Helplines and Slavery,Human Trafficking

Helpline numbers and the Slavery, Human Trafficking information shall be displayed on its own page on the entities website and on its social media. All should be updated as required on a yearly basis.

Data Protecting

Any information given to a member of staff shall not be made public and only be made available to the authorities upon request. Any person sharing any personal information or reports of abuse to any person other than the right authorities will be dismissed with no right to appeal.

Criminal Background Checks

All persons who work with children, vulnerable persons are required by law to have a background check, This is to be done before taking up any role and are required to be updated every 2 years at the cost of the person taking up the role. These checks are to be kept on record for no less than 10 years.

Two Adult Rule

It is our goal that a minimum of two unrelated adult workers will be in attendance at all times when children or vulnerable persons are being supervised during any activities. All doors to the rooms should remain open and there should be no fewer than three children or vulnerable persons with the two adults . We do not allow minors to be alone with one adult.

Training

Christ the Good Shepherd will provide training on this safe guarding policy to all new workers and will strive to provide opportunities for additional training classes or events on an annual basis. All workers are strongly encouraged to attend these training events.

Slavery and Human Trafficking

click link below

Helplines

Police: Non emergency .... 101

NSPCC..... 0808 800 5000

Childline .... 0800 1111

Action on Elder abuse .... 0808 808 8141

Family Lives .... 0808 800 2222

National Domestic Abuse  .... 0808 2000 247

Samaritans .... 166 123

Emergency Contact

Police .... 999