CHURCH OF ENGLAND – A SAFE CHURCH?
CHURCH OF ENGLAND – A SAFE CHURCH?
The idea of Safe Church comes from a very sad place. Just like as any safety instruction is on a product because someone hurt themselves or others. The Church, alongside others organisations, has invested heavily in Safeguarding because in the past people have been harmed.
It is a word that raises connotations of constraint and negativity – “it was because of Safeguarding that we could not….” (fill in the blanks). This became even more stark during lockdown when we were already constrained.
BUT we have a duty of care to keep one another safe.
And that is all safeguarding means. A system and culture that aims to ensure that all are safe and that harm is prevented.
The National Church has been hauled over the coals on past failings. Cases of perpetrators, including clergy and church officers, harming under 18s and vulnerable adults, have been scrutinised through the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and the Past Cases Review (PCR). Cases of historic abuse sometimes led to cover up such as that of Bishop Bell.
High profile church leaders are now sadly infamous for their inappropriate behaviour over significant lengths of time. All had been admired for their ministry. All had an untouchable leadership hold on their congregations and teams through their dominant presence and personality. Survivors carry the burden of the abuse they received.
Harm is rare.
BUT its effects are long lasting and can be life-long.
The Churches have responded over the last 15 years and especially the last 5 years in response to these scrutinising reviews that found the Church wanting.
That is the background to Safer Church which is a national Church of England response. It could have been called “more than a DBS”, for that is for many years, what many would associate with Safeguarding. Get the paperwork done and we will be ok.
We recognise now that Safeguarding is a culture not an event.
That means that everyone is part of ensuring that we are a Safe Church.
At PCC this week we agreed a set of principles that we can follow to ensure that all are aware of the need to be a Safe Church and everyone’s role within that.
SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES
Everyone protects boundaries and vulnerabilities by reporting.
1. EVERYONE: Everyone is the eyes, ears and heart of a safe church
2. PROTECTS: Safe church intends to protect the vulnerable and the innocent and put off the perpetrator
3. BOUNDARIES: Keeping safe boundaries (physical and emotional) are key - if in any doubt, ask first*
4. VULNERABILITIES: Power imbalance is always part of abuse - that’s why we particularly safeguard children and vulnerable people
5. REPORTNG: Report don’t solve or investigate
* examples can include being alone with a child/vulnerable person, asking for personal information, invading personal space, physical touch, directive prayer, making assumptions about or commenting on a person, handling anything financial etc
By being alert to potential concerns all can be part of the culture of being a Safe Church.
All team leaders and members are required to do a certain amount of Safeguarding training and staff and senior leaders do more extensive training.
If you have a concern or are not sure refer to the clergy, staff team or wardens or our two Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSO).
We are all supported by the professional DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING TEAM and concerns are reported to them to help guide any actions.
For safeguarding concerns out of office hours, please call 020 3874 6743 (duty out of hours phone).
If you have urgent concerns about the safety of a child or vulnerable adult, please contact the police.
Pamela Chisholm, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
07982 279713
Louise Vernon, Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
07946 255622
Contacts are advertised in every room on posters entitled “SAFE CHURCH”.
Why is Safe Church so important?
Because it is important to God.
We heard recently what the Psalmist says to each and every person he has made, and will make:
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
If you have any questions please let me know. We would love to follow up with events to reinforce and increase our awareness of what it takes to adopt a culture that helps us be a Safe Church here at Christ Church.
Every blessing
Doug
vicar@christchurchpurley.org.uk
Safeguarding at Christ Church Purley