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 Monday 9^th May 2022.

The Parish Church Council of Christ the Servant King, Hampton recognises the need to safeguard the children, young people and adults in our care and guard against the possibility of any form of abuse of any children, young people and adults by persons who may be acting in the name of the parish.  We aim to create a safe environment for the nurture and development of children, young people and adults, in order for them to feel valued and confident to ask for support and help.  We will create policies and procedures that uphold the importance of our responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults entrusted to our care.  A Parish Safeguarding Officer will be appointed to ensure the implementation of this policy.

• We commit to providing a safe physical environment for work with children, young people and adults
• We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives
• As members of this parish we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults to whom we minister
• We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of the church
• We commit ourselves to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable
• We commit to informing the whole church community about our safeguarding policy and procedures and recognise the responsibility of each of us to prevent and report abuse that we discover or suspect
• We will ensure the children, young people and adults in our care know who they can talk to if they have any concerns
• We recognise our responsibility to always respond to and report abuse in whatever context, inside or outside the church environment and will always listen to and take seriously any child, young person or adult who reports that they have been abused
• We will always report allegations of abuse and concerns about a child, young person or an adult who is experiencing or at risk of abuse due to their illness or disability, in accordance with our procedures
• We will always report all allegations of abuse against Church Officers* to the appropriate statutory agency and to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and co-operate with any investigation
• We will keep records in relation to safeguarding concerns, allegations and the recruitment of volunteers and paid workers securely
• We commit to the safe recruitment of all new and current Church Officers* who have contact with children, young people and adults experiencing or at risk of abuse due to their illness or disability
• We will assess all new and current Church Officers* roles and, in every case where the role is deemed to be eligible, apply for an appropriate level criminal record check every five years
• We commit to providing every church Officer* with clear instructions and information in respect of their role, adequate resources and support and regular opportunities for review
• We will ensure that all Church Officers* working with children, young people and adults experiencing or at risk of abuse due to their age, illness, disability, or are in a trusted role attend Church of England safeguarding training every three years
• We will inform the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, and ensure appropriate supervision, of anyone who is known to have offended against a child, young person or an adult at risk of abuse due to their age, illness or disability who attends activities organised by the Parish Church Council of Christ the Servant King, Hampton and will follow all recommendations of the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser in this regard
• We require all groups and organisations using our premises for activities involving children or vulnerable adult activities to provide a copy of their own safeguarding policy and procedures, or adopt CSK’s and provide us with an assurance that these are implemented. This is a condition of the use of CSK’s premises’.
• We will review our safeguarding policy annually to ensure it meets with all current legislation, House of Bishop’s and The church of England – Ely policies and practice guidance
• Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by the church.

The church appoints Sally Bright to represent the concerns and views of vulnerable people at our meetings and to outside bodies as the parish safeguarding officer.

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

 

Incumbent:        Rev Rachel Hilditch

Churchwarden:  Stuart Harwood-Clark

Churchwarden:  Duncan Garfield

Date 9^th May 2022

 

*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: 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.