Safeguarding Policy

This policy applies to all trustees, staff, volunteers, groups and anyone working or gathering under the name of the Guild of Health and St. Raphael (hereafter ‘The Guild’).  

The purpose of this policy: 

• to protect children and young people who may come into contact with the Guild. Please see Appendix A which relates to work with Vulnerable Adults/Adults at Risk.  

• To provide everyone with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection. 

The Guild believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them  

Legal Framework 

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely: 

• Children Act 1989 
• United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991 
• Data protection Act 1998 
• Human Rights Act 1998 
• Sexual Offences Act 2003 
• Children Act 2004 
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 
• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 
• Children and Families Act 2014 

• Special education needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: 0 to 25 years – Statutory guidance for organisation which work with and support children and young people who have special educations needs or disabilities; HM Government 2014 
• Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers; HM Government 2015 
• Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; HM Government 2015 

This policy should be read alongside our policies and procedures: 

• The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do  
• Code of conduct for groups  
• Social Media Policy 

We recognise that: 

• the welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989; 
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse; 
• some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experience, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues; 
• working in partnership with children, young people their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.  

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:  

• valuing them, listening to and respecting them 
• asking all groups or individuals working under the name of the Guild to: 

• adhere to local church safeguarding policy. This will include adopting child protection and safeguarding practices through procedure and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers. This will also include using local safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children and young people, their parents, families and carers appropriately;  

• appoint a member of the clergy who is bound by local safeguarding policy of their church to be named person responsible for safeguarding as it relates to the group; 
• if group is independent of the church, a member of the group is to sign this policy to say that they will create their own safeguarding policy; 
• leaders of Guild groups are to sign the Code of Conduct guidelines.  

• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support , training and quality assurance measures;  
• recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made;  

• Data Protection: the responsibility for the safe storage and disposal of information and records are the responsibility of the Director and Chair.  
• Trustees to read and sign this safeguarding policy 
• Directors and Chair to ensure that any activities are carried out in venues with an appropriate safeguarding policy  

Appendix A 

Adults at Risk/Vulnerable Adults 

Anyone whose ministry brings them into contact with vulnerable people should remain aware of their own behaviours and how these might be viewed by a vulnerable adult. Pastoral relationships will often run parallel with friendships and social contacts, but should always remain distinct. Perceptions can be difficult to manage and workers and volunteers should always seek to have a clear understanding with vulnerable people of the nature and boundaries of their contact with them. In group settings, and particularly when involved in the healing ministry, awareness of these issues is paramount.  

The following principles should be followed: 

1. exercise particular care when ministering to persons with whom there already exists a close personal friendship or family relationship 

2. be aware of the dangers of dependency in pastoral and professional relationships and seek advice or supervision when any concerns arise 

3. minister within your remit and limits – do not undertake any ministry that is beyond your competence or role (e.g. therapeutic counselling, deliverance ministry, or giving legal advice); instead refer to the person or agency with appropriate expertise 

4. avoid behaviour that could give the impression of favouritism or special relationship 

5. always respectfully encourage self-determination, independence and choice 

6. do not undertake any pastoral ministry whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs 

7. Be aware of language and behaviour and consider in advance the: 

1. balance of privacy for conversation with the opportunity for being seen by others (open doors or windows in doors, another person nearby) 

2. physical distance between people, taking into account hospitality and respect, being aware that this may differ as a result of past trauma or abusive experiences 

3. personal safety and comfort of all participants 

4. appropriateness of initiating or receiving any physical contact, for example gestures of comfort, which may be unwanted or misinterpreted 

5. seeking permission, respecting the person’s wishes, noticing and responding to non-verbal communication, refraining from such conduct if in doubt about the person’s wishes 

8. avoid, as far as possible, any words or actions that might be misinterpreted