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Safeguarding

Managing Risks & Safeguarding Agreements

The formal process for managing individuals who may pose a risk to others within the church community.

A Welcoming and Safe Church

Our churches are called to be welcoming communities, offering grace and support to everyone. This includes those who may have offended in the past or who might pose a risk to others. Managing this requires a careful, structured approach to ensure the safety of the entire congregation, especially children and adults at risk.

If you become aware of a person with a conviction history or have concerns about an individual's behaviour, it is vital that you share this information immediately with your Church Safeguarding Coordinator or the Synod Safeguarding Officer. Never attempt to investigate or manage the situation yourself.

What is a Safeguarding Agreement?

A Safeguarding Agreement is a formal document created in partnership with an individual who may pose a risk. It sets out clear boundaries and expectations for their attendance and participation in church life. This is not a punishment, but a tool designed to enable them to worship in a way that is safe for everyone.

Please note: Safeguarding Agreements must only be developed and authorised by the Synod Safeguarding Officer, in consultation with the local church and relevant statutory agencies. This ensures the process is handled with the necessary expertise and legal oversight.

The Role of the Local Church

Your role is to support the process and help maintain the agreed-upon plan. You can do this by:

  • Risk assessing any new activities, including online and virtual forums, to mitigate new risks.
  • Consulting your Synod Safeguarding Officer when establishing and reviewing safeguarding contracts, especially in relation to online ministry.
  • Remaining vigilant when using online group meetings to ensure that individuals who should not be participating are not present.
  • Ensuring you are up to date on your safeguarding training so that restrictions or actions in place to support others are not compromised.
  • Considering how to continue to offer spiritual support safely to all parties involved.
  • Maintaining confidentiality for everyone involved throughout the process.

Further Training and Resources

For expert guidance on managing risk, we recommend the resources provided by Thirtyone:eight (formerly the Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service). They offer a wealth of information and training on their website: thirtyoneeight.org

We also strongly encourage all elders and safeguarding coordinators to stay up to date with our Synod's safeguarding training, which covers these complex issues. You can find the latest schedule on our Safeguarding Training & Events page.