The Parish Church of St. Mary’s, Storrington
Safeguarding Statement and Policy

Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of humankind in God’s own image and likeness.

Christians see this as fulfilled by God’s recreation of us in Christ.

Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as having the Holy Spirit within them and therefore to protect them from harm. 

PRINCIPLES

We are committed to:-

• The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults, care and nurture of the children within our church community,
• The care, nurture, and respectful pastoral ministry with, children, young people and adults,

• The establishing of a safe, caring community which provides a loving environment where there is a culture of vigilance as to the dangers of abuse. 

POLICY

• We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that a child, young person or adult may have been harmed, co-operating with the police and local authority in any investigation. 

• We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within our church in line with safer recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosure and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes. 

• 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. 

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to proper authorities, of any member of our church community know to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult. 

• We will follow statute, guidance and recognize good practice.

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St Mary’s Church Storrington

Reminder of Online Etiquette & Data Protection

During recent contact with the Diocesan Safeguarding team, a discussion regarding email or phone contact within specific groups agreed that, at this time of Covid, any contact needs to be handled sensitively. Even when we are out of this Pandemic, the same steps will need to be taken for the sake of privacy.

If a group email is sent by the lead person of that group, replies should never be sent via the ‘REPLY ALL’ route. Please will all group leaders use blind courtesy copy to protect email addresses.

Replies must only be made directly to the sender of that email.

Covid touches everyone in different ways and we cannot always be aware of the feelings nor experiences of others. It is therefore suggested that communication, other than a chance meeting in the street, be confined to just a short query as to the wellbeing of the contact. A “hope you are well, keep safe” could be all that is needed. We do not know whether that person is ‘in a mind-set’ where communication is wanted. Phone calls and emails should come into the same category. If a contact is willing to engage in further communication then it must be a mutual decision.

Neither should replies always be expected. The time and setting may not be appropriate and sympathy, empathy not wanted just then. ‘Jollying’ a person along, isn’t always appropriate nor acceptable, either.

There is a data protection section in the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy which our church has agreed to adopt and adhere to. (The PCC signs in agreement, annually). However, I am well aware, that certain teams have exchanged email addresses and phone numbers in a group agreement.

It is specifically in these situations that we must ensure that the above contact etiquette is adhered to.

The Diocesan Safeguarding advice is that should an individual not be willing to abide by this code of conduct then a protocol setting parameters, could be imposed, which that individual is required to sign.

Canon Kathryn is always willing to listen and help or direct people towards someone who can. Everyone needs support at certain times. No-one should feel they have to cope alone. We are all God’s people.

We just need to tread carefully, sensitively and appropriately.

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