Frequently Asked Questions
Safer Recruitment & DBS
The Safer Recruitment Policy & Procedure has a step by step guide to recruiting ALL volunteers – whether or not they need to have a DBS check.
Confidential Self Declarations, Key Holder Declaration (Form D) and Form A. It is essential that the Confidential Self Declaration forms become an intrinsic part of volunteer recruitment – not only to allow transparency from the applicant, but also to ensure that due process has been followed if there might be anything that needs following up. Form A is also used for recruiting all new volunteers. All keyholders need to complete form D. The latest version of these documents are available here:
https://www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding/recruitment-dbspvg-forms-etc/forms/
Model role descriptions can be found here – to be adapted to local requirements. Cross reference roles with the safer recruitment policy to help discern if a particular role needs a DBS check in place.
Any queries about which level DBS check is needed can be directed to DDC – the experts, who are very helpful.
Tel: 0116 260 3055
Email: contact@ddc.uk.net
Information & procedures regarding hirers
https://www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding/users-and-hirers-of-methodist-premises/
Safeguarding Policy
Connexional policies & procedure (including model church/circuit policies).
The Connexional policy is searchable using a keyword search (control and F on Windows devices) or you can click on the relevant section on the ‘Contents’ pages, which redirects to the selected section. Hard copies of the Connexional policy are not available – due to regular updates, a hard copy would become out of date very quickly. Once the relevant section has been found, selected pages can be printed off as required – a print option, or copy and paste the required section onto another printable document.
https://www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding/policies-procedure-and-information/
Training
Connexional Safeguarding training materials (for participants and trainers) can be found here
https://www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding/training/
Update on Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
IICSA report – Child protection in religious organisations and settings – published in September 2021. A PDF version is available, which can be searched for specific references to the Methodist Church. For conclusions and recommendations, see page 123. Following on from this report, procedures regarding the regular auditing of safeguarding practice within the Methodist Church is in the process of being established – further updates will be provided.
Response to the IICSA report from the Methodist Church
The Theology of Safeguarding report was presented at last year’s Methodist Conference. The full report can be found here.
https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/21753/conf-2021-27-the-theology-of-safeguarding.pdf
An accompanying podcast can be heard here