Policy for Safeguarding Adults who may be vulnerable

We are committed to promoting and supporting environments
which:

• ensure that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse
• encourage adults who may be vulnerable to lead as independent a life as possible, to choose how to lead their life, and to be active contributors to the church community
• protect adults who may be vulnerable from actual or potential harm
• enable and encourage concerns to be raised and responded to openly and consistently.

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
• all adults who may be vulnerable (regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity) have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
• abuse of adults who may be vulnerable can occur in all communities and is most likely to occur within families and by people known to them
• working in partnership with adults who may be vulnerable, their carers and other agencies is essential in promoting their welfare.

We will endeavour to safeguard adults who may be vulnerable by:
In all our activities -

• valuing, listening to and respecting adults who may be vulnerable
• fostering and encouraging best practice by setting standards for working with adults who may be vulnerable, and boundaries for acceptable behaviour, in co-operation with statutory bodies, voluntary agencies and other faith communities

In our recruitment of paid staff and volunteers, following Diocesan
procedures in -

• ensuring careful selection and recruitment of ordained and lay ministers as appropriate, voluntary workers, and paid workers with adults who may be vulnerable, in line with safer recruitment principles and checks
• providing supervision, support and training

In our publicity -

• sharing information about good safeguarding practice with adults who may be vulnerable, their carers, and all those working with them

When concerns are raised, following Diocesan procedures in -

• responding without delay to every concern raised that a adult who may be vulnerable may have been harmed, or be at risk from harm, through abuse, harassment or bullying; or about the behaviour of an adult or child
• working with the diocese and the appropriate statutory bodies during an investigation into abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church community
• challenging any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust

In our care -

• ensuring that informed and appropriate pastoral care is offered to any vulnerable adult who has suffered abuse, including support to make a complaint if so desired
• ensuring that appropriate pastoral care is offered to any member of our church community against whom an allegation is made

In our supervision, following Diocesan procedures in -

• ensuring, in partnership with the diocese and other agencies, that care and supervision is provided for any member of our church community known to have offended against a vulnerable adult, or to pose a risk to them.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and procedures annually.