THE ELLOE STONE PARISHES BENEFICE SAFEGUARDING GUIDELINES AND POLICY
Most of the time at church we are like a big happy family. However, even in very happy families people, even people we know, love and trust, can upset and harm us. We want to help everyone to have good days all of the time. We try to make sure that people who have jobs in the church always behave well and in a way that is helpful to you. We never want anyone or anything in church to frighten, confuse or worry you.
It is important that you tell us if something is upsetting you, or if you are feeling worried about something that’s happening, or something somebody is doing. We have specially trained people who you can talk to, and who you can ask for help. These people are good at safeguarding. This means they look after everyone’s safety. Caring for people is an especially important part of our Christian life.
All the four Churches within the Benefice- St. Mary’s, Whaplode; All Saints’, Moulton; St. James, Moulton Chapel and St. John’s, Holbeach Fen, have adopted the Diocesan of Lincoln Safeguarding Strategy (2023-2026), which can be found via the link below.
If you think someone may be being harmed or in danger of being harmed, the Reverend Alistair Ward, as Priest in Charge of the Benefice, has overall responsibility for safeguarding within his jurisdiction, and he can be contacted on 07932 937950 or by email at elloestone@gmail.com.
Additionally, each Parish church has its own Safeguarding Officer, and they can be contacted, as hereunder:
St. Mary’s Whaplode
Mrs Mairead Smith: 07796 467459 : stmaryswhaplodesafeguarding@outlook.com
All Saints’ Moulton
Mrs Annette Parker: 07760 180751 : annette-parker@outlook.com
St. James’ Moulton Chapel
Revd. Alistair Ward: 07932 937950 : elloestone@gmail.com
Holbeach Fen St. John
Mrs Judy Jeffries: 07766 145780 : j.jeffries2@sky.com
Alternatively, if you would like to speak to someone outside of Benefice, then please contact the Diocese of Lincoln Safeguarding Team on 01522 504070 or email safeguarding@lincoln.anglican.org. Further information on all matters concerning safeguarding can also be found on-line at Diocesan Safeguarding Team..
Promoting a Safer Church In the Diocese of Lincoln
Confident disciples in the joyful service of their church and community actively promote the welfare of all who are vulnerable. We can work together to prevent harm from occurring.
This is Safeguarding.
The House of Bishop’s Safeguarding Policies were adopted by the Diocese of Lincoln at the Diocesan Synod 3rd November 2018. The Diocese renewed its commitment to follow all of the updated House of Bishop’s safeguarding policies and practice guidance at Diocesan Synod on 3rd November 2018. The Overarching Safeguarding Policy Document - Promoting a Safer Church.
Synod mandated the adoption of The Parish Safeguarding Handbook across all Church of England contexts in Greater Lincolnshire to provide the cornerstone to safer working practice in our churches and safer care for all God’s People.
Synod agreed the principle that the care and protection of everyone involved in Church activities is the responsibility of the whole Church in Greater Lincolnshire. Everybody who participates in the life of the Church has a role to play in promoting a safer Church for all and in preventing harm to the vulnerable.
Under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, all licensed clergy, bishops, archdeacons, licensed readers and lay workers, churchwardens and PCCs must have ‘due regard’ to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops (this will include both policy and practice guidance). A duty to have ‘due regard’ to guidance means that the person under the duty is not free to disregard it but is required to follow it unless there are cogent reasons for not doing so. (‘Cogent’ for this purpose means clear, logical and convincing.) Failure by clergy to comply with the duty imposed by the 2016 Measure may result in disciplinary action. (Church of England Safeguarding Children Young People, Adults 2017)
For the purposes of all safeguarding guidance and all Church policy a child is anyone under the age of eighteen years.
For the purpose of Church policy and guidance the definition of “vulnerable adult” is contained in the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. That defines a ‘‘vulnerable adult’ as a person aged 18 or over whose ability to protect himself or herself from violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation is significantly impaired through physical or mental disability or illness, old age, emotional fragility or distress, or otherwise; and for that purpose, the reference to being impaired is to being temporarily or indefinitely impaired’. Please note that the Care and Support Statutory Guidance issued under the Care Act 2014 (14.2) by the Department of Health uses the term ‘adults experiencing, or at risk of abuse or neglect’ in order to assess eligibility to statutory social care services. However, the term ‘vulnerable adult’ is used in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and other legislation in relation to eligibility for criminal record checks and as a result appears in DBS guidance.
For advice on all safeguarding issues including allegations or suspicions of abuse contact: The Diocesan Safeguarding Team on:
safeguarding@lincoln.anglican.org OR look at the website for up-to-date contact information
USE THE LINK below