CSK Hampton Church, Peterborough

Join us! We meet at 9am and 10.45 (shared refreshments at 10.15). We are a growing church and have new people every week, so visitors are always welcome.

Our regular evening service takes place at 5pm on the 1st Sunday only (Breakthrough Worship). We are open for private prayer Wed-Sat, 9.30am to 3.30pm whilst Chimes is open.

Safeguarding

Each parish must have a safeguarding policy, which should be displayed clearly in the church.

The safeguarding policy states our commitment to the safeguarding of our vulnerable people. The welfare of any person who feels vulnerable – child or adult – must always be held paramount, no matter how uncomfortable that may be, because only in that way can we create a church that is safe for everyone.

This updated policy statement on safeguarding children and adults in the church was adopted by:

Christ the Servant King, Hampton at a Parochial Church Council meeting held on 22 July 2024.

For the full safeguarding policy document click here or request a copy via the church office at [email protected].

Parish Safeguarding Policy

Our 6 overarching safeguarding policy commitments are:

  1. Promoting a safer environment and culture

We will strive to create and maintain environments that are safer for all, that promote well-being, that prevent abuse, and that create nurturing, caring conditions within the Church for children, young people and vulnerable adults. Our Church Officers will respect all children, young people and vulnerable adults and promote their well-being.

  1. Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults within the Church

We will select and vet all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Church, in accordance with the House of Bishops safeguarding policy and practice guidance. We will train and equip Church Officers to have the confidence and skills they need to care and support children, young people and vulnerable adults and to recognise and respond to abuse.

  1. Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation

Anyone who brings any safeguarding suspicion, concern, knowledge or allegation of current or non-current abuse to the notice of the Church will be responded to respectfully and in a timely manner, in line with statutory child and adult safeguarding procedures and the House of Bishops safeguarding policy and practice guidance.

  1. Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons

We will endeavour to offer care and support to all those that have been abused, regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred. Those who have suffered abuse within the Church will receive a compassionate response, be listened to and be taken seriously.

  1. Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons

The Church in exercising its responsibilities to suspicions, concerns, knowledge or allegations of abuse will endeavour to respect the rights under criminal, civil and ecclesiastical law of an accused Church Officer including the clergy. A legal presumption of innocence will be maintained during the statutory and Church inquiry processes. The Church will take responsibility for ensuring that steps are taken to protect others when any Church Officer is considered a risk to children, young people and vulnerable adults.

  1. Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others

The Church, based on the message of the gospel, opens its doors to all. We will therefore endeavour to offer pastoral care and support to any member of the church community who may present a known risk. The Church will ensure that any risk has been assessed and is being managed in a safeguarding agreement in accordance with the House of Bishops policy and practice guidance.

The church appoints Sally Bright, Duncan Garfield and Rachel Key as the Parish ID Checkers to process online Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) applications.

Incumbent:        Rev Rachel Hilditch

Churchwarden:  Stuart Harwood-Clark

Churchwarden:  David Cooke

Date 22nd July 2024

*A Church Officer is anyone elected or appointed by or on behalf of the Church to a post or role, whether they are ordained or lay, paid or unpaid

CSK: Policy on the recruitment of Ex-offenders

  • As an organization assessing applicants’ suitability for positions which are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order using criminal record checks processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Christ the Servant King complies fully with the code of practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly.
  • Christ the Servant King undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed
  • Christ the Servant King can only ask an individual to provide details of convictions and cautions that Christ the Servant King are legally entitled to know about. Where a DBS certificate at either standard or enhanced level can legally be requested (where the position is one that is included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 as amended, and where appropriate Police Act Regulations as amended)
  • Christ the Servant King can only ask an individual about convictions and cautions that are not protected
  • Christ the Servant King is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users of its services, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependents, age, physical/mental disability or offending background
  • Christ the Servant King has a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, which is made available to all DBS applicants at the start of the recruitment process
  • Christ the Servant King actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records
  • Christ the Servant King select all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications and experience
  • An application for a criminal record check is only submitted to DBS after a thorough risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position concerned. For those positions where a criminal record check is identified as necessary, all application forms, job adverts and recruitment briefs will contain a statement that an application for a DBS certificate will be submitted in the event of the individual being offered the position
  • Christ the Servant King ensures that all those in Christ the Servant King who are involved in the recruitment process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences
  • Christ the Servant King also ensures that they have received appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to the employment of ex-offenders, eg. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
  • At interview, or in separate discussion, Christ the Servant King ensures that an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment
  • Christ the Servant King makes every subject of a criminal record check submitted to DBS aware of the existence of the code of practice and makes a copy available on request
  • Christ the Servant King undertakes to discuss any matter revealed on a DBS certificate with the individual seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment

CSK: Social Media Policy

Introduction

Today social media and the internet have become an increasing influence on many people’s lives.  For many younger people it may have become a primary source for gaining information about the world around them and networking with friends and acquaintances. Used responsibly social media and the internet can be of benefit to the church, providing the opportunity for networking, getting to know people, gaining and sharing information about church events, learning about the Christian Faith, and spreading the Gospel. Social media is faster, cheaper and arguably more widely available than traditional media however our understanding of confidentiality, responsibility and Christian witness must remain the same. Social media needs to be used responsibly.

Social Media Policy

This policy has been written as the result of growth in use of e-media including blogs, social networking sites, web-based email services and text messaging.  Readers must be aware that the document refers to all electronic means of communications including text messaging and the distribution of images.  All communication, including social media, is covered by libel law.  If any person is in doubt and seeks further clarification on any point, they should contact a member of the communications department at Ely Diocese or the Communications page Diocese of Ely | Communications (elydiocese.org). The guidelines will be promoted via our website.

  • If you comment on any aspect of the work of the Church of England, Ely Diocese, or CSK Church, Hampton you must clearly identify yourself.
  • Users are personally responsible for the content they publish on-line, whether in a blog, social computing site or any other form of user generated media.
  • Be mindful that what you publish may be public for an indefinite period of time. Protect your privacy and take care to understand a site’s terms of service.
  • Respect copyright, libel and defamation laws.
  • Never provide details of confidential matters or the performance of groups such as the PCC or its sub committees.
  • Do not cite or reference individuals without their approval. If you are telling a story about a third party, ask yourself, “is this my story to tell?”
  • When you do make a reference, link back to the source. Don’t publish anything that might allow inferences to be drawn that could embarrass or damage an individual.
  • Respect your audience. Don’t use ethnic slurs, personal insults, obscenity, or engage in any conduct that would not be acceptable in a Christian environment.
  • Don’t use Church, Diocesan or Church of England logos or trademarks unless approved to do so. If you do use them, please obtain the correct permissions and follow brand guidelines.

Confidentiality

The blurring of the boundary between public and private is probably more of a concern to older generations than the younger. Younger people have grown up in an environment of on-line sharing, where they may well publish moans and groans about teachers, parents, friends or the workplace on a social networking site. In the past, these things may have been restricted to a private conversation. Whilst one group may struggle to understand why private information is being shared so publicly, the other may regard it as normal. This may create tensions that will need understanding, especially with groups such as Youth Workers.

Respecting confidentiality should not be problematic in this new area. The existence of social media does not change the Church’s understanding of confidentiality. Within the life of the Church, there are private or closed meetings, private conversations and confidential matters. All involved have a right to expect others will respect that confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality in social media is as wrong as it would be in any other context. If a confidence is broken, it can spread via social networking with alarming speed and will be impossible to retract.

It may be prudent therefore, to ensure those attending sensitive meetings or briefings understand the restrictions placed upon the sharing of that information.

Uploading photographs and videos

  • Photographs and video should never be taken during church services without the permission of the clergy.
  • Photographs and video should never be uploaded without the permission of the individuals involved.
  • Photographs and video should never be uploaded which could misrepresent, embarrass, or compromise the individuals involved.
  • Do not photograph and/or video children without following the Social Media Child protection policy below.

Friends and followers

Social networking sites are often based around the idea of “friends” or “followers”.  Depending on the privacy settings selected, postings can be viewed by a select audience or by the world! Some people have high friendship or follower figures as a goal, and they may, therefore, befriend others who in real life would not be actual friends. Care should be taken to ensure the appropriate privacy settings are selected. If unsure it may be better to communicate more directly using media such as email.