Thank you to all who attended the online Safeguarding Clinic last week. We had a successful session discussing Safer Recruitment, the process for volunteers (current and new) and the related documentation that should be held by local churches.
As a charitable body the church has responsibility for safer recruitment, this responsibility lies with District Synod, Circuit meetings and local church councils. We want to have safety at the heart of our Methodist communities so we follow the 12 steps from the policy. PDF summary. This starts by the responsible body i.e. church council, having a recruitment and selection policy. There is a template version of this available to save reinventing the wheel. The policy then has further detail as to the 12 steps and how to determine volunteer role outlines.
A reminder that we have online Foundation Safeguarding training coming up on evening of 6th May 25. Please register at Scotland District Creating Safer Space: Foundation Module (Online) Registration, Tue 6 May 2025 at 18:45 | Eventbrite
Some of you may be aware that there are changes coming into force from 1st April 2025 regarding PVG scheme membership. I will be sending out further information but for now if anyone works with/has non-incidental contact with children or protected adults within their role they MUST by law as of 1st April 25 have a PVG. Please contact your circuit safeguarding officer or myself if you believe you require a PVG for the role you currently have but do not have one.