Safeguarding
At Wellington Church we are committed to of children, young people and adults who participate in, lead and volunteer in our church organisations.
Child
safeguarding
We aim to provide a safe environment where children and young people may enjoy social contact, personal and spiritual development. We are committed to safeguarding all children and protecting them from harm.
To help ensure this at Wellington, Kirk Session:
1. Have appointed dedicated Designated Persons;
2. Maintain a robust process for recruitment, checking and monitoring of staff and volunteers who work with children,
young people and vulnerable adults;
3. Ensure that anyone engaging with children, young people and vulnerable adults is trained at least once every three years inhow to recognise, respond to and report abuse as well as understand their role in the prevention of abuse;
4. Has clear processes for the reporting of abuse and the risk of harm, both externally to statutory services and internally through a clearly identified chain of responsibility;
5. Ensure that identified risks to children and young people are
assessed and managed;
6. Ensure that any person of risk engaged in our ministries (for example those with a history of serious offending behaviour) is safely managed, monitored and supported;
7. Ensure that we have a timely, effective and sensitive approach to managing non-recent abuse disclosures;
8. Ensure we have appropriate and actual methods for children and young people to voice their opinions and concerns, and be listened and responded to; and
9. Ensure we have safe and confidential methods for managing information.
Adult
safeguarding
We promote a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, wherever it occurs or whoever is responsible. We are committed to practices that promote the welfare of adults and prevent harm.
To help ensure this at Wellington, Kirk Session:
1. Have appointed an approved Adult Safeguarding Champion;
2. Maintain robust procedures for the recruitment, checking and monitoring of staff and volunteers working with adults at risk of harm
3. Ensures an effective working structures are in place to respond to concerns and these are clearly understood through a regular system of training staff and volunteers
4. Has clear processes for the reporting of abuse and the risk of harm, in regards to any adult at risk, both externally to statutory services and internally through a clearly identified chain of responsibility
5. Has identified risks to adults are assessed and managed, ensuring general safety and risk management procedures are
adhered to
6. Ensures that any person of risk engaged in our ministries (for example those with a history of serious offending behaviour) is safely managed, monitored and supported
7. Has a timely, effective and sensitive approach to managing non-recent abuse disclosures
8. Has safe and confidential methods for managing information
9. Ensures that safeguarding procedures signpost to the appropriate individuals of the church for the management of comments, complaints and suggestions
Designated
persons
The Kirk Session has appointed two Designated Persons (Mrs Jennie Hood and Mr Geoff Marshall) who will provide consultation,
advice and support to organisations and to the Kirk Session on matters concerning the welfare of children and young people.
To make contact please email: safeguarding@wellingtonpc.co.uk
Mrs Jennie Hood
Designated Person
Mr Geoff Marshall
Designated Person
Criminal
vetting checks
As part of the ethos of safeguarding all who come in contact with our mission and ministries, it is mandatory that all relevant volunteers and employees of Wellington Presbyterian Church are checked, prior to commencing roles and every three years after.
As Criminal vetting checks are a critical part of safe recruitment procedures for all roles that give access to children, young people and/or adults at risk of harm.
Volunteers and employees of Wellington Presbyterian Church are not permitted to serve without an in-date enhanced disclosure provided by Access NI.
Training
Training provides a basic understanding of child safeguarding and is a requirement for all leaders, volunteers and helpers working with children and young people within Wellington.
Sessions last for approximately two hours and are available on various dates advertised in the church announcements. Sessions are available in person and online on selected dates.
For further details and to book a training session, please contact Mrs Jennie Hood (Designated Person).
Forms
Forms for new leaders, revetting and reporting an incident etc… can be accessed in the following ways:
1. Downloading and completing from PCI Website – PCI Forms
2. Emailing and requesting from Designated Person at safeguarding@wellingtonpc.co.uk
3. Blank paper forms are available from the Church Office and/or the Safeguarding Noticeboard
Once forms are completed they need to be managed confidentially and given to the Designated Person.