Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy for children and adults at risk St. Columba’s United Reformed Church, Oxford, Wessex Synod
Version: May2025

1) Aim and purpose of this policy

The aim of this policy is to ensure that protecting people from abuse, harm or neglect is central to our culture. It provides procedures for promoting safeguarding, preventing abuse and protecting children, adults at risk and staff. This includes clear procedures for taking appropriate action when safeguarding concerns are raised.

Who this policy applies to

This policy is approved and endorsed by the Elders and applies to:

• All members of our church

• All those who attend and serve our church/place of worship and its services  Our Trustees and Elders

• Paid staff (both internal and external eg contractors or consultants)  Volunteers

• Organisations and groups which hire our building with written agreement to operate under the church safeguarding policy.

Principles underpinning the policy

• Our theology and values

• Our commitment to put the welfare of children and adults at risk first  A willingness to be open and listen

• A commitment to comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

Definitions

The term 'children' refers to those under the age of 18 years.

The term 'adult at risk' refers to any adult aged 18 or over who, by reason of mental or other disability, age, illness or other situation, are permanently, or for time being, unable to take care of themselves, or to protect themselves against significant harm, abuse or exploitation.

Duty of care and confidentiality

We have a duty of care to all beneficiaries of the church, whether children or adults.

We will always maintain confidentiality, except in circumstances where to do so would place the individual or another individual at risk of harm or abuse.

Sections 2-6 below follow the structure of Good Practice 6 and each section lists the 'key responsibilities' for local churches outlined in the corresponding chapter of GP6.

2) Creating a safer culture

We are committed to creating a safer culture in our church which will help us to prevent harm from occurring and provide an environment in which all can flourish. In line with Chapter two of Good Practice 6, we will:

• Appoint a Church Safeguarding Coordinator and ensure contact details are available for anyone to report a concern

• Have a safeguarding policy which is reviewed annually and updated when necessary

• Practice safer recruitment procedures for paid and volunteer roles

• Ensure all those working with children and/or adults at risk are given copies of relevant Codes of Conduct

• Follow the requirements of the training framework

• Comply with legal requirements in respect of data protection

• Complete the Annual Church Safeguarding Return

• Ensure safeguarding is a regular agenda item for church and Elders' meetings.

3) Ensuring safer activities

Whilst it is not possible to guard against every eventuality, we are committed to providing as safe an environment as possible for activities both on and off church premises. In line with Chapter three of Good Practice 6, we will:

• Ensure appropriate insurance is in place for buildings and activities

• Consider the implications of data protection and health and safety requirements for specific activities

• Carry out risk assessments for relevant activities or events

• Ensure adequate staffing for activities and that leaders have suitable training, are aware of relevant guidance and agree to follow relevant Codes of Conduct

• Ensure the hirer's agreement is in place for other organisations using church premises

• Seek advice from the Synod Safeguarding Officer for complex or sensitive risks.

4) Recognising and responding to concerns

We acknowledge that, although promoting Safer Culture and Safer Activities will help to protect all those in contact with the church, some concerns will inevitably arise and we are committed to responding well in such circumstances. In line with Chapter four of Good Practice 6, we will:

• Promote awareness of different kinds of abuse, other vulnerabilities and types of safeguarding concern

• Seek to create a 'listening culture' and help people develop listening skills to respond appropriately in situations where sensitive information is disclosed

• Inform the Synod Safeguarding Officer as a minimum of any situations where involvement from statutory services is/may be required

• Share information with statutory services as appropriate and co-operate with them during any investigations

• Report any serious safeguarding incident to the Charity Commission and notify the Synod Safeguarding Officer.

5) Managing allegations and people who may pose a risk to others

Where allegations are made against individuals within the Church, we are committed to following all required investigative and regulatory procedures. We will work in collaboration with the Synod, wider Church staff, statutory agencies and other relevant organisations. In line with Chapter five of Good Practice 6, we will:

• Co-operate fully with any investigative or disciplinary procedures

• Inform the Synod Safeguarding Officer immediately on becoming aware of anyone in the church who may present a risk to others

• Work with the Synod Safeguarding Officer and contribute relevant information for risk assessments

• Alert the Synod Safeguarding Officer or statutory agencies to known breaches of a safeguarding agreement.

6) Supporting victims and survivors

The key principle underpinning our policy and practice in this area is that all those who have experienced abuse, whether recently or in the past 'will be listened to and offered the pastoral care and support they deem appropriate and relevant, irrespective of type of abuse, context, or when this occurred' (General Assembly policy statement 2021). In line with Chapter six of Good Practice 6, we will:

• Recognise that the Elders' meeting has responsibility for provision of pastoral care

• Be aware of local support services that people can be referred or directed to

• Ensure those in relevant roles attend appropriate training

• Seek advice from the Synod Safeguarding Officer about provision of appropriate support when necessary.

7) Key contacts

Church Safeguarding Contacts

Name: Gordon Woods or Adrian Moore Telephone Number: 01865 606453 Email: safeguarding@saintcolumbas.org

Synod Safeguarding Officer 

Name: Sharon Barr Telephone No: 07776178246 Email: safeguarding@urcwessex.org.uk

URC Safeguarding Office (This should only be used if you are unable to contact your Synod Safeguarding Office) 

Email: safeguarding@urc.org.uk

Local Authority Designated Officer: 

Name: Jo Lloyd Telephone No: 01865 810603 (Safeguarding team) Email: oscb@oxfordshire.gov.uk or lado.safeguardingchildren@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

Statutory contact in the case of a child:

Emergency number: 0345 0507 666 (not to be used for no names procedure) Immediate emergency dial: 999

Out of hours number: 0800-83340 (Emergency duty team) 

Child sexual exploitation: 01865 309196

To discuss whether a referral should be made without identifying the child: LCSS Central: 0345 241 2705.

Statutory contact in the case of an adult at risk:

To discuss whether a safeguarding concern: 01865 328 232. In emergency call: 999.

8) Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, updated as required and adopted by the church meeting.

Date of most recent review: May 2025

Date of next review: May 2026

Signed by:  Gordon A Woods   Date: 25 May 2025

(On behalf of the church Elders)

Details of other organisations and support services

Samaritans

A crisis helpline, providing a listening service for any worries or concerns: www.samaritans.org 

Childline

A free 24-hour support and counselling service for children and young people up to age 19:

www.childline.org.uk Freephone 0800 1111

Hourglass (previously Action on Elder Abuse)

Provides information and support to an older person or anyone concerned about an older person who is at risk of, experiencing or recovering from any form of abuse or neglect: www.wearehourglass.org 

National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline

Telephone: 0800 999 5428

Rape Crisis England and Wales

An organisation supporting the work of Rape Crisis Centres across England and Wales, and raising awareness and understanding of sexual violence and abuse in all its forms: www.rapecrisis.org.uk Telephone: 0808 500 2222

Stop it Now!

Confidential helpline for people who are struggling with sexual thoughts and behaviours towards children, or are concerned about someone else's behaviour: www.stopitnow.org.uk Telephone: 0808 1000 900