1. CREATING SAFER SPACE FOUNDATION MODULE 2016 Edition
Safeguarding Children,
Young People and Adults

2. Trainers
Name
Role
Chaplain

3. Chaplain
Opening prayers

4. Housekeeping Mobile phones – silent or off Toilets Fire exits
Refreshment break
Timekeeping
Question Park

5. Looking after ourselves
This training can be difficult for any of us, at any time.
If you need a break, feel free to move about or leave the room.
There is more than one trainer here, so we can be free to spend time with you apart from the main group if necessary.
If this raises painful issues for you, share this with somebody you trust. Look after yourself!

6. Getting to know each other

7. By the end you should:
know that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and integral to being church
have a better understanding of good safeguarding practice within the Methodist Church
know when to have concerns about the safety and welfare of a child or adult
appreciate your responsibility for sharing concerns about a child or adult
be aware of who in the church to go to with any concerns
recognise potential blocks within the church to responding well
be aware of the impact of the Past Cases Review (PCR) findings on good practice.

8. Learning together we will:
listen without interrupting
respect the feelings, experiences and views of other people
listen to different views and question in a constructive way that enables learning
respect confidentiality unless it puts others at risk
take responsibility for our own learning and share as well as receive learning
be aware of the potential impact of the subject on ourselves and others.

9. Setting the scene Children and young people Adults who may
be vulnerable
Survivors
of abuse
People who may
be a risk to
others 9

10. Setting the scene Children and young people Adults who may
be vulnerable
Survivors
of abuse
People who may
be a risk to
others 10

11. Setting the scene: children and young people
Everyone under the age of 18.
A child or young person is deemed vulnerable and in need of protection because of their age.
Resources:
Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy
NSPCC/Childline helpline –

12. Setting the scene Children and young people Adults who may
be vulnerable
Survivors
of abuse
People who may
be a risk to
others 12

13. adults who may be vulnerable
Setting the scene:
adults who may be vulnerable
Any adult aged 18 or over who, by reason of mental or other disability, age, illness or other situation is permanently or for the time being unable to take care of her/himself or to protect her/himself from significant harm or exploitation.
Resources
Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy
Care Act 2014 Care and Support Statutory Guidance
Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000

14. Setting the scene Children and young people Adults who may
be vulnerable
Survivors
of abuse
People who may
be a risk to
others 14

15. Setting the scene: Survivors of abuse
Many people have experienced abuse either in childhood or as an adult.
The church can provide a place for sharing and healing.
Resources
Time for Action 2003
Tracing Rainbows Methodist Report 2006
MACSAS (Ministers and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors)
One in Four
National Domestic Violence Helpline

16. But... survivors were a key group identified by the PCR for care and support
The PCR recorded 1,885 perpetrators and alleged perpetrators of church context abuse
This included 200 ministers since 1950s who had abused their power, highlighting a strong concern about church culture
Making churches safe remains a challenge

17. After the PCR publication
A deluge of additional cases – 60 in total
Several issues of bullying and harassment reported
Responses from people who had left the church and weren’t aware of the PCR - very hurt
More casework to complete and more learning

18. Setting the scene Children and young people Adults who may
be vulnerable
Survivors
of abuse
People who may
be a risk to
others 18

19. Setting the scene: people who may be a risk to others
Despite their wish to change, it can be difficult to integrate these people into church life.
Covenant of Care groups can be a way of enabling them to be part of the Church.
Care is needed as we don’t always know that people are a risk to others.
Resources
Safeguarding Children and Young People App E – the Methodist Church policy for sex offenders
Stop it Now! Telephone helpline ,

20. Setting the scene Children and young people Adults who may
be vulnerable
Survivors
of abuse
People who may
be a risk to
others 20

21. Setting the scene: summing up
Creating Safer Space for all is about creating an environment within our church communities where those who are vulnerable – children and adults – are respected, valued, protected and listened to.
This is at the core of our faith.

22. Setting the scene: summing up
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in Spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8, NIV)
Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs. (Matthew 19:14)
[Nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)

23. Safeguarding in the Methodist Church
PROMOTE the well-being of children, young people and adults through a culture of shared responsibility for safeguarding, within clearly assigned roles.
PREVENT harm through best practice in work with children, young people and adults and the creation of a culture of informed vigilance.
PROTECT through responding effectively when safeguarding concerns arise.

24. Safeguarding in the Methodist Church
Prevent
Protect
Promote

25. Prevention
Premises
People
Policies
Practice 25

26. Prevention: PREMISES
The overall responsibility for Health and Safety rests with the Church Council – and we all contribute to it.
Ensure you have a copy of relevant risk assessments for the premises, activities and, if needed, individuals.
Consult your property steward.
Check for any hazards in rooms and toilets before each activity.
Be careful with lettings; consult the policies. 26

27. Prevention: PEOPLE Have awareness and recognise concerns
Know who to go to for support
Church policy requires all staff and volunteers to be recruited safely 27

28. In an emergency contact the authorities directly.
Sharing concerns
Something you see...
Something you hear or are told about...
Something that troubles you...
Something you suspect...
Speak to your leader, minister or church safeguarding officer who will offer advice and may refer the matter on to the authorities.
In an emergency contact the authorities directly.

29. Methodist Church Safeguarding Policies
Prevention: POLICIES
Methodist Church Safeguarding Policies
Children and Young People
Adults
Domestic Abuse
Model Safeguarding Policies
Practice Guidance for DBS/Scottish PVG checks (as part of Safer Recruitment) 2015
Safeguarding Records – Joint practice guidance for the C of E and Methodist Church

30. Prevention: PRACTICE Examples
Registers of attendance
Consent forms
Incident and record keeping
Confidentiality
What happens if...? – contingency planning
Number of leaders and ratios
Insurance
Risk assessment and emergency arrangements
Internet safety
Contact outside meeting times and places
Communication with parents/carers 30

32. Safeguarding Children and Adults Types of abuse
Each flip chart has a heading which is a particular kind of abuse. Add what you know about that type of abuse.

33. Safeguarding Children and Adults Types of abuse
On the post-it notes, write down different kinds of abuse. Then attach them to the cut-out figures.

34. Safeguarding Children and Adults Types of abuse
physical
emotional
neglect
sexual
spiritual or ritual
financial or material
discriminatory
institutional
domestic

35. Safeguarding Children and Adults Emerging types of abuse
using social media
modern slavery
sexual exploitation
trafficking
radicalisation
self-neglect (adults)

36. PROTECT What to do if you are worried that a child or adult may be being abused:
Recognise having eyes to see and ears to hear
Respond to the concern
Record what has been seen, heard or said
Refer to the appropriate people.

37. You should never feel that you are coping alone with these concerns.
Your contacts
It is important to discuss any concerns you have with someone with responsibility or with expertise.
You should never feel that you are coping alone with these concerns.
The person to whom you are responsible
Your minister
Church or circuit safeguarding representative
District Safeguarding Officer
Local children’s services
Local adult social care services
Local social care out of hours services
Local Police Public Protection Unit
NSPCC Helpline 37

38. Sharing concerns Something you see Something that troubles you
Something you hear or are told about
Talk with your leader, minister or church safeguarding officer who will give advice and may refer on
Something you suspect

39. Sharing concerns – a reminder
Something you see...
Something you hear or are told about...
Something that troubles you...
Something you suspect...
Speak to your leader, minister or church safeguarding officer who will offer advice and may refer the matter on to the authorities.
In an emergency, contact the authorities directly.

40. Some barriers In groups, think of reasons why:
people in churches may find it hard to respond well
churches may not respond well
children/adults may find it hard to tell.

41. What can make it hard for people to respond well to a concern?
they don’t want to hear
fear they may be wrong
anger and distress
guilt
embarrassment
doubts about truthfulness
they are asked not to tell
finding another explanation for the behaviour
not wanting to interfere
uncertainty about procedures and consequences

42. Why churches may not respond well
they don’t want to hear
this doesn’t happen in church
the person/family is well known and respected
limits of confidentiality and confession are misunderstood
a desire to keep it in the church
key people believing they can manage a situation
not knowing who to consult
the church is about forgiveness, not condemnation
confusion about false allegations

43. Why churches may not respond well
Key people thinking or assuming that they can manage situations on their own.
Failing to recognise what’s going on and/or its significance.
Being unaware of, or misapplying, policies and procedures.
Acting hastily, or too slowly, and not seeking or taking advice.

44. Why children and adults may find it hard to tell. They may:
not know it is wrong
be unable to communicate
be too dependent on the perpetrator
have tried to tell before without success
be fearful of the consequences
feel ashamed/embarrassed/guilty.

45. Case studies
What is it in the case example you Recognise that concerns you?
How would you Respond to your concern?
What would you Record?
To whom would you Refer this?

46. Reflection
What have you learnt?
What are you going to do?

47. Feedback
After the devotions, please take a couple of minutes to complete the feedback form.
Please leave the form in the tray on the table before you leave.

48. Closing devotions

49. Creating Safer Space Foundation Module 2016
Please collect your certificate of attendance.
Please place your feedback form in the tray by the door.
Thank you for giving up your time to undertake this training.