Safeguarding 

Promoting a Safer Church

At Knowle Parish Church we are committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults.



 
The following policy was agreed at the Knowle Parochial Church Council (KPCC) meeting held on 25 September 2024.

KPCC agrees to adopt all of the House of Bishop’s safeguarding policy and practice guidelines and The Church of England – Birmingham’s procedures for their implementation.

Our church is committed to:

• Promoting a safer environment and culture.
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others. 

We will implement the above policy commitments and good safeguarding practice by ensuring:
1. the creation of a safe and caring place for all;
2. the welfare of the child, young person and vulnerable adult is paramount;
3. a leadership commitment, at all levels, to the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults;
4. we listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse and offer appropriate support to all those with lived experience of abuse;
5. clear reporting procedures are displayed on church premises and our website to deal with safeguarding concerns and allegations;
6. we notify all safeguarding concerns, including concerns and allegations against church officers, to the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer;
7. referrals to, and effective working with, statutory and voluntary sector partners in accordance with legislation and House of Bishop’s requirements;
8. we have publicly advertised arrangements for children, young people and vulnerable adults to be able to speak to an independent person, as required;
9. good record keeping and effective information sharing;
10. we seek advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer about appropriate assessment, care and monitoring of any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children, young people and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties;
11. a clear line of accountability within our church for work on safeguarding;
12. our practice and activities are informed by ongoing learning, review and by the views of children, young people,  families and vulnerable adults;
13. our complaints procedures are well publicised;
14. there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children, young people and adults undertaken in the name of our PCC;
15. safer recruitment procedures are in place, including clear roles for church officers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks where a role is eligible;
16. we have clear arrangements for support and/or supervision of church officers;
17. all volunteers complete Church of England safeguarding training at the level appropriate for their role. 

This policy will be clearly displayed on church premises and on our website
This policy and its implementation will be reviewed at least annually by the PCC.
 
This church appoints Ruth Lancaster as the Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedure.
 
Incumbent: Geoff Lanham
Churchwardens: Roderick Street and Elizabeth Welton
 
Date: 25 September 2024
 

A copy of our policy can be downloaded by clicking here.