These statements were adopted by the PCC of Bourton-on-the-Water with Clapton-on-the-Hill at the Parochial Church Council meeting held on 11th March 2024. These policies will be reviewed each year to monitor the progress which has been achieved and a copy shared with the Archdeacon at the time of the Visitation.

Safeguarding Children and Young People

1.              The PCC accepts the diocesan policy statement and guidelines on working with children and young people.

2.              The PCC seeks to provide a caring, warm and consistent atmosphere and environment in which children and young people can develop and grow, and in which they can learn in safety. Children and young people will be treated as individuals and with equal concern.

3.              The PCC recognises the following areas of work with children and young people in the areas of: 

-   Bumblebeez (parent and toddler group)

-   The Light Group (ages 4-12)

-   Youth club and other youth work

-   Breakfast Church

-   Informal Children’s and Family Services

-   Bellringing

-   Assemblies and school visits, at schools in the benefice and in churches (including Experience Easter/Harvest/Christmas, Open the Book)

-   Children’s Parties

-   Communion Preparation classes

4. The PCC:

  I.     Will ensure that everyone involved in the care of children and young people, whether through paid employment or volunteer roles, are personally made aware of the diocesan policy and the PCC policy.

 II.     Will ensure that everyone involved in the care of children and young people (existing and in the future from the date the PCC policy is accepted) will be recruited through the Church of England’s Safer Recruitment processes.

III.     Will ensure that completed personnel records are appropriately stored.  All information on workers with children and young people will be kept locked away safely and confidentially in line with data protection legal requirements.

IV.     Will ensure that every appropriate position is recruited to in line with national church and diocesan Safer Recruitment processes.

V.     Will ensure that it complies with the rolling programme of (DBS) rechecks that are supported/administered by the diocese.

VI.     Will ensure everyone involved in working with children and young people are clear of the nature of the work they have agreed to do and the name of the person to whom they are responsible.

VII.     Will ensure the parish priest/person nominated by the PCC will be responsible on the PCC’s behalf for implementing and monitoring the PCC’s policy.

VIII.     Will ensure that training opportunities are undertaken within national/diocesan requirements.

IX.     Will ensure that the PCC are regularly informed of the names of those who work with children and young people for parish records.

X.     Nominates the Rector to be the Nominated Person to whom all concerns and cases of suspected or alleged abuse must be reported immediately, along with the following parish link officer, who can be approached about safeguarding concerns: Mrs Gill Willett 01451 821484 / 07759 938180.

XI.     Will make adequate provision for insurance cover for all activities for children and young people in line with the House of Bishop’s guidance.

XII.     Will make a copy of this policy available to all employees and volunteers of this church, and to parents/guardians.

XIII.     Will review this policy annually at the APCM and ensure that a copy of this policy will be presented to the Archdeacon at the Visitation.

XIV.     Will ensure that any individual organisation renting/using its premises for activities involving children and young people is aware of its own individual responsibilities to have appropriate safeguarding policies and processes in place.

XV.     Will ensure that any complaint made regarding a child for whom we are responsible, who may have been harmed or is in significant danger, will be reported immediately and that we will fully cooperate with statutory agencies during any investigation into allegations concerning a member of the church community.  

XVI.     Will inform the statutory agency of any suspected criminal offenders or concerns that we are made aware of in respect of our contact with children, and will inform and work closely with Diocesan staff and all statutory agencies.

XVII.     Will offer informed pastoral care to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse, and provide them with details of local and national support agencies.

XVIII.     Will work closely with the diocese to ensure that we effectively supervise and support any member of our church community known to have offended against a child.

XIX.     Will ensure that we work closely with the diocese to ensure that any required DBSs or other required checks and references, including the five year rolling re-check programme, are complied with.

XX.     Will work closely with the diocese in ensuring appropriate people are trained and updated on good practice, legal changes etc.

XXI.     Will ensure that a copy of this policy will be displayed on the parish noticeboard alongside a ChildLine poster, which can be downloaded from www.nspcc.org.uk free of charge.

If you have any concerns about any safeguarding issues please don’t hesitate to be in touch with a member of clergy or with our Nominated Person 

1. NAME            Position of Rector is currently vacant
2. NAME            Mrs Gill Willett
CONTACT: 01451 821484 / 07759 938180

email: familywillett@hotmail.co.uk

Churchwardens:

Julie Smith

juliesmith-warden@stlawrencebotw.co.uk  07769 311127

Patricia Taylor

patriciataylor4@icloud.com 07518 457652

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

1. We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.

2. As members of this parish we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults to whom we minister.

3. We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of all adults who may be at risk, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church. 

4. We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.

5. The parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of all adults who may be at risk.

6. It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of adults who may be at risk and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.

7. We undertake to exercise proper care in the safer recruitment practices of all appointment processes of those who will work with adults who may be at risk.

8. The parish is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst adults who may be at risk.

9. The parish adopts the national Church of England guidelines; and those of the Diocese.  

10. Each person who works with adults who may be at risk will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this church.