Safeguarding in the Churches: Past, Present, Future

1. Safeguarding in the Churches:Past, Present, Future Reflections by Revd Pearl Luxon Consultant and Trainer. Formerly Safeguarding Adviser for the Methodist Church and the Church of England

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. The five-legged table of Safeguarding

6. 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

7. SupportingPolicy 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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?

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Pearl Luxon Consultant and Trainer www.pearlluxon.org.uk