Safeguarding

We will not tolerate the abuse of children or adults in any form.

Specifically, within our Chaplaincy we are committed to:

  • Endeavour to create a safe and caring place for all. 
  • Have a named local Safeguarding Officer to work with the incumbent and the Chaplaincy Council to implement policy and procedures. 
  • Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse. 
  • Where possible, ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the chaplaincy. 
  • Display in church premises and on the chaplaincy website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs. 
  • Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse. 
  • Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops’ guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and local child and/or adult services immediately. 
  • Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred. 
  • Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties. 
  • Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, procedures and practices at least annually. 

Date policy renewed: 11 September 2022

 

HOW DO WE PUT OUR POLICY INTO PRACTICE?

We all have a responsibility to safeguard children and adults.

Everyone in the chaplaincy has a responsibility to help to ensure that children and adults are not subject to abuse in any form. It is important that if we believe that abuse is occurring that we report this to the appropriate people so that the matter can be properly dealt with. Information on how to report problems is given later in this document.

As well as these general needs there are some people who have special responsibilities for safeguarding:

The Chaplain has overall responsibility for safeguarding

The Wardens have a particular responsibility to support the chaplain in ensuring that procedures are carried out, and in the event of a vacancy will take overall responsibility

The Chaplaincy Council has a responsibility to review the policy and ensure that it is being implemented. Each council member will need to do safeguarding training. The policy and implementation must be reviewed every year

The Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer is responsible for the implementation of safeguarding in the Chaplaincy. They will need to identify who needs to be checked and who needs training. They will need to verify identity (by passports and registration forms); ensure that checks have been done, are up to date (they are required to be renewed every 5 years – for the country in which you are living), take up references when required and ensure that people have undergone the relevant training. They will need to keep lists of volunteers up to date, and report back to the Church Council.

 

These are the main ways that we seek to keep children safe.

  1. Self-declaration

Everyone who works with children or young people will be asked to fill in a declaration form, given to them by the safeguarding officer.

  • Checks on people who work with children and vulnerable adults

If a person has not been known to either the chaplain or one of the wardens for more than two years, two independent references will need to be sought, and sources will be checked.

All who hold positions of leadership within the Chaplaincy – chaplain and other clergy, readers, assistant ministers and wardens, as well as all who have overall responsibility for work with children or young people or vulnerable adults will be required to submit evidence that they have no history which may make them unsuitable for that role. This will include police checks from all countries in which they have resided for longer than 6 months in the last 10 years. If police checks are not possible, or are not considered adequate, then they will need references from a supervising authority.

  • Training

All who work with children or young people or vulnerable adults, or are in positions of responsibility in the chaplaincy, must undergo safeguarding training. This includes members of the Church Council.

The chaplaincy chooses to use the training available at

There will be additional training for those who have special responsibility for work with children or young people, when we will invite visiting trainers.

Those who work with children or young people or vulnerable adults will be taken through our good practice leaflet by either the safeguarding officer or children’s work leaders.

  • Good practice

We have good practice guidelines, which we expect everyone to follow. The safeguarding officer or official children’s leaders will ensure that all new volunteers are familiar with them. The guidelines will be reviewed regularly by the children’s workers and by the Church Council.

  • Deterrence

Citizens of and foreigners who live in the Russian Federation need to remember that crimes against children are taken very seriously and this is reflected in sentences passed by the courts. When it is necessary to protect children or vulnerable adults we will work together with the local law enforcement authorities.

Reporting suspected Abuse

Everyone has a responsibility to be vigilant to spotting incidents of abuse. If you become aware of abuse in any form please tell the Chaplain or the safeguarding officer. The safeguarding officer can be contacted at safeguarding@standrewsmoscow.org

FOR THOSE WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN ON SUNDAYS AND AT CHAPLAINCY EVENTS

In order to ensure that we do everything we can to keep children and young people safe, we will ask you to provide

  1. A completed St Andrew’s declaration form, together with evidence of your identity (passport and registration form)
  2. Two references from people who have known you and your work, and who can vouch for your suitability for work with children and young people.
  3. A certificate to show that you have completed the online training at https://europe.anglican.org/safeguarding/online-training
  4. Evidence that you are familiar with our good practice guidelines.

Those seeking appointment to a position of responsibility for children’s work in the chaplaincy will also be required to provide evidence that you have no history which may make you unsuitable for the role. This will include police checks from all countries in which you have resided for longer than 6 months. If police checks are not possible, or are not considered adequate, then you will need to provide references from a supervising authority. Additional training will be required.

Those seeking appointment to a licensed or official role within the Diocese in Europe (clergy, readers, assistant ministers, wardens) will be required to be willing to complete a Diocesan Declaration form and will need to provide evidence that you have no history which may make you unsuitable for the role. This will include police checks from all countries in which you have resided for longer than 6 months. If police checks are not possible, or are not considered adequate, then you will need to provide references from a supervising authority. Additional training will be required.

For all safeguarding enquiries or concerns, please contact the chaplain, or our safeguarding officer at safeguarding@standrewsmoscow.org