Safeguarding

SCL SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

The SCL Network formally accepts and abides by the House of Bishops’ Guidance for safeguarding children, young people and adults in need of care and support in the Anglican church as laid out in: ‘Safeguarding in Religious Communities’, November 2020. In accordance with those provisions, SCL will ensure that –

The Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) (as nominated by the SCL Deans) has overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with safeguarding policies and good practice and for promoting a safer culture, and will be trained to Leadership level in Safeguarding.

DSP: This person will be one of the Deans, and will be trained in safeguarding to Leadership level. S/he will have overall responsibility for safeguarding policies and good practice, awareness raising and ensuring there is safeguarding training provision in place for any member engaged in ministry on behalf of SCL. A job description, based on ‘Safeguarding in Religious Communities 2020’ and ‘The Religious Communities Regulations 2020’ as applying to acknowledged communities, is accepted by the DSP.

Each revised safeguarding policy statement that is drawn up and included in SCL’s Constitution will be communicated to all members and uploaded onto the website.

Awareness of good safeguarding practice is raised among all its members. As part of admission as a member of SCL, there will be a discussion around safeguarding, values, motivations and boundaries.

All the rules of safer recruitment as and when new Deans are appointed will apply; they will be trained appropriately for their roles and supported in their ministries.

Any concerns or allegations are made to the DSP initially, unless they are about the DSP in which case, they should be made straight to the complainants own Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA). The DSP will inform the DSA within 24 hours (excluding weekends/bank holidays), records will be kept, and safeguarding reports will be made to the DSA in the diocese where the incident occurred.

We explore the role of our Episcopal Advisor to ensure ongoing compliance.

SCL’s safeguarding policy and practice will be reviewed annually.

Dean Dan Berry is the DSP (Designated Safeguarding Person) for the SCL Network. He is the first port of call for any member who has safeguarding concerns. His role also involves promoting safeguarding practices among members of SCL and facilitating an annual review of the health of the culture within the Network to help prevent abusive behaviour. All members are encouraged to contribute to this. This reflects the Church of England's view that the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church. If you have concerns in this area, please email Dan:

dan.berry@singleconsecratedlife-anglican.org.uk

(Every diocese in the Church of England has its own Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA). The contact details for them will be found on your diocesan website)