In discussing recent media coverage of child abuse scandals of the 1970s and 1980s, it is all too easy to say “It couldn’t happen here” or “It couldn’t happen nowadays”. Sadly, neither of those statements is true – but our society’s attitudes to acceptable and unacceptable behaviour towards children and young people have clearly changed for the better in recent years, and this has not happened by accident. I am no fan of excessive bureaucracy or “political correctness”, but if applied sensibly and sensitively child protection policies and procedures have an important part to play in all areas of life, including our church community.
The Diocese of London has now completed a full review of its policies and procedures for safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk, in conjunction with the NSPCC, and introduced a new set of policies and guidelines. One of the changes is that the position of ‘Children’s Advocate’ (which I previously shared with Rosemary Loyd) has now been replaced with two new roles, and I have been appointed as the Church Safeguarding Officer for the parish, whilst Vanessa Fitzpatrick is our Children’s Champion.
The Diocese’s policy statement confirms the Church’s commitment “to be a safe, caring community which provides a loving environment and a culture of ‘informed vigilance’ and action towards safeguarding of all”. In the Parish Policy statement adopted by the PCC we are reminded that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church community. My role as Church Safeguarding Officer will be to oversee the implementation of these policies in the parish, including the co-ordination of any concerns and ensuring that these are appropriately reported to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, which will provide specialist advice and support.
Please come and talk to me if you have any concerns that you want to bring to my attention. Contact numbers for Vanessa and for me, as well as Childline, Parentline and NSPCC Helplines, are displayed at the back of the church.