Safeguarding 

Promoting a Safer Church

We believe that our church life should include a safe space for all to meet in.
All who work with our young people and "vulnerable adults" must first be interviewed about the role they will undertake. It is mandatory that they also possess an up-to-date PVG certificate. 

Please help us maintain this safe space. If you become aware of any actual or potential compromise of the Church's Safeguarding Values or Policy (see below), then please contact one of our safeguarding team as soon as possible. Details may be found on the notice board at the entrance to the Maxwell Halls complex.

We want to be rigorous in abiding by the Church of Scotland's Safeguarding Values and Policy, which are:

• The love of Christ compels us to care and protect those who are vulnerable in the Church and society.
• Priority: safeguarding children and adults at risk known to the Church.
• Acting in the best interest of the person affected by harm or abuse is paramount.
• Zero tolerance: no type or level of harm to people known to the Church or using Church services is acceptable or justifiable.
• Duty to protect people: we all have a duty to protect as well as a duty of care.
• Immediate reporting: if you suspect or witness harm or it is reported to you, you must immediately report it to your Safeguarding Coordinator or your line manager.
• Safeguarding is a multi-agency activity. The Church will ensure that the social work department, police and health services are involved, as appropriate, when harm is witnessed, suspected or reported.
• Communication and information sharing: is essential within the Church of Scotland and with other agencies to promote joint decision making.
• Confidential information sharing: the duty to protect takes precedence over individual confidentiality if they or others are at serious risk of harm or have been seriously harmed. But information sharing will be proportional: the person will be advised before the appropriate amount of information is shared with only the minimum number of people that need to know.
• For adults at risk of harm – balancing risks and rights: we recognise the balance between the duty to protect and the right of the adult who has capacity to make decisions to choose to live in a situation that puts them at risk of harm. We will work with them to ensure that such risks are understood and minimised. Risk taking, with appropriate support, can be positive and life-enhancing.
• Any safeguarding intervention must be the minimum necessary and proportionate to the risk of abuse or harm.