Parish of St John the Baptist, Malden
Policy for Safeguarding Children

We are committed to promoting and supporting environments which:
•	are youth-friendly and child-friendly and nurture their positive
development
•	enable children and young people to be active contributors to the
church community
•	protect children and young people from actual or potential harm
•	enable and encourage concerns to be raised and responded to openly and consistently.

We recognise that:
•	the welfare of the child or young person is paramount
•	all children (regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity) have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
•	abuse of children can occur in all communities and is most likely to occur within families and by people known to the child
•	working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

We will endeavour to safeguard children and young people by:
In all our activities -
•	valuing, listening to and respecting children and young people
•	fostering and encouraging best practice by setting standards for working with children and young people, in co-operation with statutory bodies, voluntary agencies and other faith communities

In our recruitment of paid staff and volunteers, following Diocesan procedures in -
•	ensuring careful selection and recruitment of ordained and lay ministers as appropriate, voluntary workers, and paid workers with children and young people, in line with safer recruitment principles and checks 
•	providing supervision, support and training

In our publicity -
•	sharing information about good safeguarding practice with children, parents, and all those working with them

When concerns are raised, following Diocesan procedures in -
•	responding without delay to every concern raised that a child or young person may have been harmed, or be at risk from harm; or about the behaviour of an adult or child
•	working with the diocese and appropriate statutory bodies during an investigation into child abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church community
•	challenging any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust

In our care -
•	ensuring that informed and appropriate pastoral care is offered to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse
•	ensuring that appropriate pastoral care is offered to any member of our church community against whom an allegation is made

In our supervision, following Diocesan procedures in -
•	ensuring, in partnership with the diocese and other agencies, that care and supervision is provided for any member of our church community known to have offended against a child or young person, or to pose a risk to them.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and procedures annually.