Chapter 11:
Standards, accountability and review
Presbyterian Church in Ireland standards for safeguarding
PCI seeks to reflect Christ’s compassion for everyone and to safeguard all those who come into contact with the mission and ministries of our Church, by preventing harm and protecting those at risk, by working in partnership with individual congregations and organisations.
The aim of the safeguarding standards
- To promote confidence that the Church is safe for all
- To provide evidence of the arrangements for child and adult safeguarding
- To affirm to all those in a position of trust (volunteers and staff) that they are doing the right things well
- To give assurance to the governing bodies of the Church and external advisors that these standards are being consistently upheld
- To develop opportunities for learning and create momentum for change
Standard one: Creating and maintaining safe environments
Churches will provide an environment for all that is welcoming, nurturing and safe. Demonstratable ethos of zero tolerance of abuse at congregational through to governance levels.
Standard two: Creating and maintaining safe record management
Record management will reflect evidence of contemporary case management, partnership working with information sharing in regard to risk management.
Standard three: Procedures for responding to child/adult protection suspicions, concerns, knowledge or allegations
Church bodies must have clear procedures and guidance on what to do when suspicions, concerns or knowledge of allegations arise regarding a child’s or adults’ safety or welfare that will ensure that there is a prompt response.
They also enable the Church to meet all regional legal and practice requirements and guidance.
Standard four: Care and support for victims/alleged victims
All will receive a compassionate response. They, and their families, are offered appropriate support, advice and pastoral care.
Standard five: Care and management of the respondent
The denomination has in place a fair process for investigating and managing safeguarding concerns.
When the threshold for reporting has been reached, a system of support and monitoring for respondents is provided.
Standard six: Training and support for keeping children and adults who are vulnerable safe
All staff and volunteers are trained and supported in all aspects of safeguarding relevant to their role, in order to develop and maintain the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills to safeguard and protect children and adults.
Standard seven: Communicating the Church’s safeguarding message
Church bodies appropriately communicate the Church’s safeguarding messages.
To keep under review the effectiveness of the safeguarding panel, to identify areas of good practice and potential improvements.
Sharing good practice and learning around churches and outside our denomination.
Standard Eight: Quality assuring compliance with the standards
The denomination develops a plan of action to quality assure compliance with the safeguarding standards. This action plan is reviewed annually.
Review of the policy and procedures for adult safeguarding (NI)
The policy will be reviewed every three years by Council for Social Witness. Changes will be reported to the General Assembly, with the Assembly being asked to approve any significant policy changes.
If there is a legislative change that requires the policy to be updated or reviewed within that time period, this will be the responsibility of the Council for Social Witness. Where this is urgent, the General Council can act on behalf of the General Assembly to approve a significant policy change. The Safeguarding Lead will advise them if this is the case.
Accompanying procedure will be reviewed at least every two by the Safeguarding Development Committee and Council for Social Witness, as well as at any point at which there are legislative/good practice updates required.
Procedural changes will be reported to the Council for Social Witness, with the Council being asked to approve any significant procedural changes.
It is the responsibility of the Council for Social Witness to ensure that changes are communicated in a timely and effective manner to the denomination.