Support for Church & Circuit Safeguarding Officers

The Church Safeguarding Officers Handbook

In 2021/22 I wrote a series of letters to Church Safeguarding Officers, suggesting various ways to complete their different tasks, as outlined in the Model Church Safeguarding Policy.

In 2022/23 we turned the letters into a handbook and provided each church with 2 copies: one for the Church Safeguarding Officer and one for the Church Council.

Throughout the handbook, I refer to other policies, procedures, and forms etc. these can all be found below, under the chapter headings for easy reference.

In July 2023 the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Guidance for the Methodist Church was updated, and this has meant I needed to update the handbook, and some of the documents below.

The changes to the handbook are minor, in most instances the page numbers I've referred to have changed. I have created a document called ' Handbook Updates for 2023 ' which explains all the changes, comparing the previous version of the handbook to the updated version.

Document titles followed with an * mean these have been updated.

Chapter 2: Recording and Reporting Concerns

• Church Recording Policy, Procedures and Guidelines *
• Church Safeguarding Concerns Form
• Case Notes template
• Responding Well Flow Chart *
• Connexional Flow Chart – response to concerns about a child *
• Connexional Flow Chart – Adult makes a disclosure of abuse *

Chapter 3: Providing Support (Health & Safety)

• Pastoral Visitors Guidance
• Safeguarding & Pastoral Care
• Safeguarding Health & Safety Assessment Form *
• Providing Church organised Transport form *
• Code of Safe Working Practise with Children & Young People *
• Code of Safe Working Practise with Vulnerable Adults *
• Risk Assessment for Church led Activities. *

Chapter 4: Providing Support (Safer Recruitment)

• Church Safer Recruitment Policy *
• Church Safeguarding Officers Guide to the Church Safer Recruitment Policy *
• Volunteer Role Outline
• Lone Worker Policy for Volunteers (District created)
• Safer recruitment Spreadsheet – Word format
• Safer Recruitment Spreadsheet – Excel format

Chapter 6: Safeguarding Practise on Church Premises

• External Users of Premises Policy Checklist

Chapter 7: Promoting Safeguarding

• Model Church Safeguarding Policy *
• Safeguarding Commitments & Contact Posters – English language version for Methodist Churches
• Safeguarding Commitments & Contact Posters – English language version for LEPs
• Safeguarding Publicity Links

Chapter 8: Issues with Compliance

• PART A – Annual Safeguarding Audit – Churches – for reference only
• PART B – Annual Safeguarding Audit – Circuits – for reference only

Appendix Files

• Appendix 1: Model Church Safeguarding Policy *
• Appendix 2: Annual Report to the Church Council
• Appendix 3: Checklist of jobs *
• Appendix 4: CSO Guide to Recruitment & Selection Policy *
• Appendix 5: Safer Recruitment Spreadsheet (Excel)
• Appendix 5: Safer Recruitment Spreadsheet (Word)

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact me on safeuarding@sheffieldmethodist.org.uk or call 07483 362 735

Many thanks
Alison Hill
District Safeguarding Officer

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