Safer recruitment

Introduction:

For most people, the Methodist Church is a safe place free of any form of physical, emotional, spiritual, sexual or psychological danger. It is a place where children, young people and vulnerable adults are free from harm, discrimination and other harmful influences.

Sadly, for some members of the Church family, their experience has been of not being safe and this broken trust has left them physically and/or psychologically harmed.

The Methodist Church values 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, offered to all people.

Safer recruitment is an approach to the selection of staff and volunteers that highlights the importance of safeguarding and uses multiple sources of information to make informed decisions. This is particularly important in situations where the post holder may work with children, vulnerable adults or be in a position of influence or responsibility.
(Taken from the Safer recruitment Policy, procedures and Guidance 2021 Edition)

Safer recruitment in the Sheffield Methodist District

A huge thank you to all the churches who completed the District Safeguarding audit in the summer. The results showed that the vast majority of churches are struggling to me to standard expected by The Methodist Church in GB.

As a result, District Safeguarding Officer, Alison Hill, led two sessions in October focusing on Safer Recruitment, and offering a sensible, proportionate approach to recruiting volunteers.