Introduction to Safeguarding

If you are just starting out in your work with children and young people, you’ll need to bear in mind your safeguarding responsibilities.

Safeguarding falls outside of the expertise of the Arthur Rank Centre so it is not our place to offer specific or detailed guidance on how to go about developing appropriate policies and procedures in your local church. However, expert advice is available both from specialist organisations and from denominational safeguarding teams who can help and support in you in the process of developing your own policies.

It is important to remember that in legal terms a young person remains a child until their eighteenth birthday. Therefore, in the context of safeguarding you need to ensure that your policies and procedures cover those up to and including the age of seventeen.

For a wide variety of help and advice, we suggest you make contact with the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS). CCPAS is the only independent Christian charity providing professional advice, training, support and resources in all areas of safeguarding children and adults at risk of harm. Contact them by phoning 0303 003 1111 or visit their website, ccpas.co.uk.

Advice and information on developing a safeguarding policy

Independent advice and guidance

Churches Child Protection Advisory Service: ccpas.co.uk (0303 003 1111)

CCPAS is the only independent Christian charity providing professional advice, training, support and resources in all areas of safeguarding children and adults at risk of harm.

Denominational advice and guidance

Baptist Union: baptist.org.uk/Groups/220183/Safeguarding.aspx (01235 517700)

Church of England: churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding (020 7898 1000)

Diocesan safeguarding teams: churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding/diocesan-safeguarding-teams (020 7898 1000)

Congregational Church: congregational.org.uk/safeguarding/safeguarding (0115 911 1460)

Methodist Church: methodist.org.uk/for-ministers-and-office-holders/safeguarding (020 7486 5502)

New Wine: new-wine.org/safeguarding-policy (020 85676717)

Salvation Army: salvationarmy.org.uk/safeguarding (0207 367 4500)

United Reformed Church: urc.org.uk/good-practice-policy-and-procedures (020 7916 2020)