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.
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)
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:
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:
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.
In line with the policy document 'Safeguarding policy, Procedure and Guidance for the Methodist Church 2019' the district produces a safeguarding policy.
You can read the Sheffield District Safeguarding Policy for 2020 on the right hand side of this page.
The Sheffield District Safeguarding policy for 2020 has two parts:
Registered Charity no. 1129363
admin@sheffieldmethodist.org
0114 270 9990 / 0114 430 0255
Sheffield District Office
Room 47, Victoria Hall Methodist Church
Norfolk Street
Sheffield
S1 2JB