Safeguarding in the Churches:Past, Present, Future

Reflections by Revd Pearl LuxonConsultant and Trainer.

Formerly Safeguarding Adviser for the Methodist Church and the Church of England

The Church of England

• Safeguarding Adviser (child and adult protection)

The role was developing policy, good practice, ‘trouble shooting’, giving advice, developing training and supporting the networks of advisers and reps in 33 Districts and 43 Dioceses

Aim: Supporting Safeguarding good practice and raising consistency of practice in two Church denominations:

• In Church of England diocesan structures – dioceses - independent

• In Methodist Districts of Great Britain – not independent

Responding to Legislation, Stat. Guidance and Commissions

• Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service – mid 1980’s• Methodist Church Training started in 1989 – Taking Care –

National Children’s Bureau• A few CofE dioceses created policies and trained people• 1993 – First Methodist Church national policy & guidance• 1995 Church of England (CofE) National Policy statement

with good practice annexed• 1999, 2004, 2010 new fuller editions and updates – CofE• 1998, 2000, 2003 Methodist ‘Safeguarding’ handbook eds.• 2000 The Church and Sex Offenders policy - Methodist• 2001 [Nolan Commission and COPCA]• 2007 in response to cases – Past Child Protection Cases

Review model protocol for dioceses

National Policy and Good Practice• Protecting All God’s Children (latest edition 2010)• Promoting a Safe Church

These are House of Bishop’s policy documents for the CofE

• Safeguarding children and • Safeguarding Adults (latest editions of both 2010)• Training strategy – Creating Safer Space

These were approved by Methodist Conference (covers GB)

Other relevant CofE documents:

Domestic Abuse – General synod policy

Professional Standards for clergy – from the clergy Convocations

Clergy Discipline Measure – church legislation

The five-legged table of Safeguarding

Other developments

• Time for Action – 2002 Churches’ Together• Survivors and the church working together –

in consultations and networking• New policy and good practice – ‘Responding

Well’ – also a House of Bishops document 2010

• Looking at the Theological underpinning of Safeguarding and the common values in the Church and among Safeguarding professionals – through our annual conference – seminars and plenary speakers

Supporting Policy and Good Practice

• Dioceses produce their own policies too, but national committee is seeking to ensure consistency with national policies over time

• Help with complex legislative changes e.g. the endless changes to the Vetting and Barring Scheme

• Annual Conference for both Churches with all trainers and Safeguarding Advisers invited – other Anglican Provinces and Church denominations are welcome too.

• Regional groupings also meet

Partners’ in Safeguarding include:

• Other churches/ denominations, the Christian Forum for Safeguarding – including Churches’ Agency for Safeguarding and Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service

• Other voluntary groups or their representatives e.g. NSPCC, Action for Children (NCH), The Children’s Society, Lucy Faithfull Foundation and Stop it Now UK

• Criminal Records Bureau etc. and Independent Safeguarding Authority

• Government departments, Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements, the Police and Probation.

Recent developments

• Working with Survivors

• Working on values and theology

• Linking the Christian belief and demonstrations of care of all people very closely with safeguarding

• Pastoral Care and Safeguarding – need to make connections – joined up

Reflections on Safeguarding

– The challenges to church of survivors and taking their experiences seriously – including questions about faith

– Theology, the gospel and Safeguarding – the Kingdom of God

– The values of the Church and the values of those who both work in safeguarding and child protection – are very similar

– Safeguarding and ministry – a better way?– Perhaps ‘authority’ and power are the church’s

real Achilles' heal?

The challenge of Nolan

KEY PRINCIPLES OF APPROACH:• The child’s welfare is paramount• Prevention is key• Transparency• Accountability• Partnership with Statutory Authorities• Independent objective and expert advice• Active management of risk• A “One Church” approach

NOLAN COMMISSION & COPCA – 2001

Professional reflections

• Ambiguity and tensions in the safeguarding role• Inter/ multi-disciplinary approach - solutions• Positivity and creativity - instead of

intransigence, conflict and denial• ‘Wise as serpents and innocent as doves’• Speaking ‘truth to power’ is necessary but tough• Communication, communication, communication• Having raised our game in many churches –

what is the next level?• The five legged table

Final Remarks• Responding to those abused – children/ adults – this is

something the Christian church must do• Good practice is now expected – in society, e.g. by

parents and statutory bodies – doing the minimum is not good enough

• We must listen to other faiths share what we have learnt• The churches’ insurance companies and the Charity

Commission play their part• Abuse happens in whole of society/ all communities• Denial occurs everywhere• Everyone is responsible for helping to prevent

abuse and promote the welfare of children

Pearl Luxon

Consultant and Trainer

www.pearlluxon.org.uk