CTE used to make available a safeguarding checklist but as this area is constantly evolving, the advice we have now been given is that we should have as little as possible here, not least because policies are always evolving and web-pages can become ‘frozen’.
The abiding principle
Most importantly, Single Congregation Local Ecumenical Partnerships should choose to use the safeguarding policy and guidance of one of the participating denominations and apply that in all aspects of safeguarding practice (including responding to concerns, safer recruitment and risk assessment). Do not attempt to cobble something together yourself and do not switch arbitrarily between denominational safeguarding policies and systems.
Be aware that your policy needs to be clear about reporting. Information needs to be shared with a designated safeguarding person appointed by the leadership team who can take action on any safeguarding concern/ allegation/ disclosure. The leadership team and the designated safeguarding person are important in terms of accountability and responsibility – and the designated safeguarding person also needs to be trained and supported.
This advice may be applied to other circumstances where congregations or Churches Together groups, for whatever reason, require a shared safeguarding policy. Be aware that a person trained in one safeguarding policy (eg within the NHS) will still need to be trained in the detail of the safeguarding policy which you are adopting.
If in doubt, whether it is for an LEP or not, contact your national/central safeguarding officer. If that fails, ask the National Ecumenical Officers by following the advice in the second paragraph of this page.
Safeguarding websites
- Baptist Union of Great Britain
- Church of England
- Methodist Church
- Moravian Church
- Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
- Salvation Army
- United Reformed Church
You may also find Thirtyone:eight (formerly Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service) an excellent source of advice and help.