Westerhope Newcastle upon Tyne
Statement of Safeguarding Principles
It is the Methodist Church’s intention to value every human being as part of God’s creation and the whole people of God. At the heart of the Methodist community is a deep sense of the place of welcome, hospitality and openness, which demonstrates the nature of God’s grace and love for all.
Our church communities are called to be places where the transformational love of God is embodied and life in all its fullness is a gift, which is offered to all people.
Principles
Safeguarding is about the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will:
• promote the welfare of children, young people and adults
• work to prevent abuse from occurring
• seek to protect and respond well to those that have been abused.
We are committed to:
· the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
· safeguarding and protecting all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
· establishing safe, caring communities, which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the church, in line with safer recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We will respond without delay to every safeguarding concern, which suggests that a child, young person or adult may have been harmed, working in partnership with the police and social services in any investigation.
We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
Working with the Church Safeguarding Officer, we will support risk assessment of those who present a safeguarding risk within a church environment. We will ensure appropriate pastoral care is offered and measures are taken to address identified risks including referral to statutory agencies, suspension and the use of safeguarding contracts.
In all these principles, we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.
Minister
REV LYNDA COULTHARD 0191 2711587
The nominated Safeguarding Coordinator
for Westerhope Methodist Church is:
VIVIEN EDINGTON 0191 2633531
Circuit Safeguarding Officer
HAZEL SARGEANT 07792150245
Email - newcastle.west.methodist@gmail.com
Regional Safeguarding Officer
CAROLYN GODFREY 07534346374
Email - newcastle.darlington@dso.methodist.org.uk
ChildLine 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk NSPCC 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk
Local Helpline - Social Care Direct (adults) 0191 2788377 07968474891
SilverLine (older people) 0800 4708090 Dementia Helpline 0800 888 6678 Samaritans 116123
Action on Elder Abuse 0808 808 8141 National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000247
The Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy for Westerhope Methodist Church can be found on the left hand section of the notice board between Room 1 and the Church Hall and on website www.westerhopemethodistchurch.com
Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Guidance for the Methodist Church – Updated September 2020 can be found on the Methodist website www.methodist.org.uk/safeguardimg
Agreed by Church Council – 27th February 2024
