PARISH RESOURCES

Summary of February 2024 drop-in session (not previously covered in other sessions)

    1. How do parishes identify a vulnerable adult? The care act definition is someone over 18 years old who: has care and support needs. is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect. Whether someone is vulnerable can depend on the context. If anyone has concerns around the vulnerability of an adult, please speak to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (DST); it is important to consider the issue of consent in sharing information.
    2. Privacy notice for taking photos and using on social media
    3. When recruiting paid workers and volunteers, please follow the Safer Recruitment and People Management
    4. References and DBS checks can be done simultaneously.
    5. The applicant of a DBS receives the completed certificate in the post and the lead recruiter is notified that the application is complete. If there is any information returned on the certificate, the lead recruiter is only made aware that there is something on the certificate, but is not given any details.
    6. If a disclosure is made at a home visit made to a parish worker and someone from another organisation, where should it be referred to? It is important not to assume that someone else is taking a concern forward so always come into the DST, unless the matter is so urgent that statutory services need to be contacted.  It is better to have something reported twice than not at all.  When working with another organisation a simple agreement/process on reporting concerns can also be put in place.
    7. The definition of children and young people is anyone under the age of 18. On the difference between a child and a young person, the Safeguarding Alliance says a young person is a child:
    • We use the term ‘young people’ to refer to older or more experienced children who are more likely to be able to make these decisions for themselves. In this guidance, references to ‘parents’ mean people with parental responsibility and other people who care for or look after children or young people.
    • We use the term ‘children’ to refer to younger children who do not have the maturity and understanding to make important decisions for themselves. We use the term ‘young people’ to refer to older or more experienced children who are more likely to be able to make these decisions for themselves.

Useful links safeguarding links