Introduction

It is the Methodist Church's intention to value every human being as part of God's creation and the whole people of God. At the heart of the Methodist community is a deep sense of the place of welcome, hospitality and openness, which demonstrates the nature of God's grace and love for
all.

Our church communities are called to be places where the transformational love of God is embodied and life in all its fullness is a gift, which is offered to all people.

There are no distinctions regardless of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion/ beliefs, pregnancy/ maternity and gender reassignment; As a result, everyone has the right to protection from abuse and to be treated no less favourably than others, irrespective of any personal or protected characteristic.

• Safeguarding is about the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will: promote the welfare of children, young peopleand adults
• work to prevent abuse from occurring
• seek to protect and respond well to those that have been abused.

We will take care to identify where a person may pose a risk to others, and offer support to them whilst taking steps to reduce such risks. The Methodist Church affirms that safeguarding is a shared responsibility. Everyone associated with the Church who comes into contact with children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable has a role to play, supported by
consistent policies promoting good practice across the whole Church.


The District and its individual churches will undertake all appropriate steps to maintain a safer environment. It will practise fully and positively Christ's ministry towards children, young people and adults who are vulnerable and respond sensitively and compassionately to help keep them safe from harm.

(Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Guidance for the Methodist Church in Britain, page 15)

District Safeguarding Officer

The District Safeguarding Officer is Alison Hill. Alison can be contacted by:
Phoning: 07483362735
Emailing: safeguarding@sheffieldmethodist.org

The District Safeguarding Officer is responsible for:

• ensure District Safeguarding Group (DSG) is kept up to date with relevant national and local developments;
• advise DSG on safeguarding issues, practice and procedures;
• offer advice, and consultation to ordained and lay staff in the District on any individual case, situations and / or emergencies;
• be available to assist with implementation of policy and procedure;
• undertake risk assessments as appropriate;
• be a critical link between all relevant Committees to ensure safeguarding is relevant and connected to groups within the District;
• support Superintendent Ministers in their implementation of safeguarding policies;
• ensure that Superintendent Ministers are aware of their responsibilities and enable training opportunities to be made available;
• use the expertise and advice of the District Safeguarding Group and, as appropriate, Connexional personnel;
• ensure that all circuits and churches create and implement policies and assist them in doing so;
• be a pro-active link between the District and external agencies, especially statutory organisations, in ensuring the best support for those who need help;

District Safeguarding Group (DSG)

Each Methodist district is required to have a Safe Group. The District Safeguarding Group (DSG) will oversee the work and promotion of safeguarding across the District. It will meet at least four times a year and have an Independent Chair.Its role is to:

• ensure support to all circuits and churches in implementing District and Connexional policy;
• oversee the promotion of safeguarding children and adults across the District and ensure that all necessary information is disseminated at a local level to support this;
• ensure that the Chair of District, superintendents, ministers, paid workers and all lay staff and relevant committee/group members are updated on any changes to safeguarding policy, practice and guidance. (The Chair of DSG, supported by the District Safeguarding Officer, will report to the District Leadership Team as required with such changes);
• ensure that the work of safeguarding across the District is up to date and in line with National Policy and Guidance;
• initiate programmes of awareness and good practice;
• work collaboratively with other relevant groups (e.g. Connexional, regional and ecumenical partners and professional colleagues) on safeguarding issues.

Chair of the District Safeguarding Group

Hilary Murton is the independent chair of the DSG.As part of the implementation of the recommendation from the Presidents Inquiry (2011), the Methodist Conference affirmed the need for a focused group (the DSG) to oversee the work of safeguarding in the District and that this should be chair independently.The Independent Chair of the District safeguarding Group (DSG) will be safer recruited and will have a background in safeguarding at any level and setting. The role will be managed by the Chair of District and have a close working relationship with the DSO. The role will be to support the DSO and DSG in fulfilling their work and be an important link to the Chair of District and as appropriate, the District Leadership Team, to promote the work of safeguarding, especially in challenging areas of practice that need revising or improving.

Sheffield District Safeguarding Policy

In line with the policy document 'Safeguarding policy, Procedure and Guidance for the Methodist Church 2019' the district produces a safeguarding policy.

Click here to read the Sheffield District Safeguarding Policy for 2020
The Sheffield District Safeguarding policy for 2020 has two parts:

Part 1: Summery Policy, this includes

• Statement of Safeguarding principles
• Children and Vulnerable Adults safeguarding policy

Part 2: Full policy, which includes

• Philosophy
• Purpose
• Governance
• Partnerships
• District Safeguarding roles & responsibilities
• Procedures for dealing with concerns
• Support to those who have been hurt by those in the church and / or outside of it
• Provision of safeguarding training
• Safe places and safe people
• Criminal records Checks (DBS)
• Specific circumstances
• Compliance
• Policy review details