Chaplaincy or parish

Whilst we mostly use the term ‘Chaplaincy’ in the Diocese in Europe, there are congregations in the Diocese who refer to themselves as a ‘Parish’. For those parishes, throughout this Policy please read ‘Chaplaincy’ as ‘Parish’.

Children

The abuse of children and young people can take many forms. They have the same right to protection regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Children and young people from minority ethnic groups and those with disabilities (physical, sensory and/or learning difficulties) are especially vulnerable and need special care and protection. (For further information, see the Church of England’s Fact Sheet: Types of Abuse.)

Adults

All adults, including vulnerable adults, have a fundamental human right to choose how and with whom they live, even if this appears to involve a degree of risk. They should be supported to make those choices, to live as independently as possible and treated with respect and dignity. (For further information, see the Church of England’s Fact Sheet: Types of Abuse.)

Please note that some adults may not consider themselves vulnerable but may be vulnerable to being abused by individuals in positions of leadership and responsibility. 

Occasional helpers

Occasional Helpers who work with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults will need to complete a Safeguarding Check to include vetting checks for all countries visited (as a total of all visits above one month in duration) within the last ten years.

‘Occasional’ refers to a role that is undertaken for less than three days in a thirty-day period.

A message from the Right Reverend Dr Robert Innes, Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe

Our Diocese first issued a formal policy on Safeguarding in 2012.  We produced a major update to the policy in 2015, which brought us up to date with the best advice available at that time.  But safeguarding knowledge and practice continues to develop.  And we have been able to learn from the practical experience of applying our own protocol across our Chaplaincies.  So I am now pleased that we are able to set out policy and practice which is consistent with revised Church of England guidelines as at 2019 in a form that is accessible and easier to use.

The requirements set out in this document, together with the linked guidance, are based on current best practice across the Church of England.  The requirements are there to help make sure our churches and communities are safe spaces and safe places.

I am well aware that the priority given to safeguarding matters varies from one country to another.  But that is not an excuse for doing safeguarding less well where custom and practice is less rigorous or sensitivity less heightened.  For me, safeguarding is a theological priority that is integral to the mission of the church.  It is an area where the church should lead and not just follow.

Diocesan safeguarding operates with proper care for personal data in line with the EU’s GDPR legislation.  If your chaplaincy is in a territory outside the scope of GDPR where safeguarding data transfer is problematic then you must seek specific guidance from the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor.  Operating in countries with different legal frameworks is not a reason for departure from the principle of doing safeguarding well.

Safeguarding continues to be a top priority for me – and I expect this to be the case across our Diocese.  We have a duty before our Lord to enable the church to be a safe and secure place for all.  This document sets the standards and guidelines to which are all required to work.

Thank you for your co-operation and commitment to working with me in making our diocese a safer space.

Robert Gibraltar in Europe
Diocesan Bishop

Safeguarding in the Diocese in Europe is highly involved with many cultural and legal challenges to be absorbed and accommodated within each country.  The DST and I are committed to supporting all of our chaplaincies in their efforts in providing a safe church. Excitingly, there is a willingness across the diocese to engage with safeguarding requirements and associated training, and to support victims and vulnerable groups.

The safeguarding service continues to be available to assist you in achieving the best for all in the diocese.

Grace Fagan-Stewart
Head of Safeguarding

The primary role of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Committee (DSAC) is to provide independent and impartial advice to the Diocese on all matters relating to the development and implementation of the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy and practice.

DSAC membership is made up of:

Independent Members:

• An independent Chair (an independent lay person with relevant current or recent child protection or adult safeguarding experience at a senior level in a statutory, voluntary or private organisation)
• The Chair of the House of Laity of the Diocesan Synod
• Independent Members (at least three and no more than eight with relevant current or recent child protection or adult safeguarding experience at a senior level in a statutory, voluntary or private organisation)
• Eden Voice representative (victim/survivor advocacy group)

Senior Clergy:

• The Diocesan Bishop
• The Suffragan Bishop
• An Archdeacon

Reporting officers:

• The Head of Safeguarding (HoS)
• The Chief Operating Officer (Diocesan Secretary)
• The Diocesan Head of Communications

In the event of an allegation against a member of clergy, volunteer or elected member, a SCMG is convened to identify and manage risk, share ideas and discussion and ensure the correct processes are followed. 

The Head of Safeguarding (HoS) should convene a SCMG within 10 working days (unless urgent, within 2 working days) of becoming aware of the safeguarding concern or allegation.  If it is impossible to meet face-to-face, a virtual meeting should be set up. The review period will be every 6 weeks unless otherwise stipulated by the independent chair. The SCMG advise and oversee management of the process for the duration of the case, meeting as required.  All information should be made available to the group to support decision-making. 

The SCMG membership will usually include:

• an independent chair
• the HoS (or a relevant member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team)
• the relevant archdeacon
• other individuals relevant to the concern 

Advisors to SCMG:

• the Diocesan Head of Communications
• the Diocesan Registrar

Complainants, respondents and their representatives are not members of the SCMG. The SCMG Chair must ensure that a member of the SCMG has responsibility to keep the complainant and the respondent informed of SCMG decisions, recommendations and outcomes.

It is also the role of the SCMG to establish lessons learnt at the end of a case.

The Diocese in Europe believe that victims and survivors of trauma, abuse and harm are not just service users - they are inspiring voices and thoughtful changemakers. The diocese, in partnership with Eden Voice, aims to be a supportive and confidential safe space. It ensures that victims and survivors are heard and their views shared.

Eden Voice was created in 2023 to advise the diocese on the views of victims and survivors, which is central to the work we do in Safeguarding across our diocese.

Survivors and victims of abuse often lack support as they navigate systems to find justice and reparation. We want to ensure that the voices of victims and survivors are integral to the work we do in all our chaplaincies.

Eden Voice works to: 

• provide a victims/survivors' voice into the Diocesan Safeguarding Team
• promote the establishment of support persons throughout the Diocese (in every chaplaincy)
• provide information to all chaplaincies in the Diocese about the process to gain support
• establish a process by which this support system may be accessed with ease.

If you are interested in joining Eden Voice, email us:

europe.safeguarding@churchofengland.org

The Church of England has committed to survivor engagement and participation. See the full framework here.

Firstlight Safe Spaces

If you have been affected by any kind of abuse, bullying or other safeguarding issues, no matter how long ago, Firstlight Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church.

Firstlight Safe Spaces is a free support service for victims and survivors of church-related abuse. The organisation offers a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, The Church in Wales or The Catholic Church in England and Wales, regardless of disability, age, gender or sexual orientation.

Their services are available on 0300 303 1056 or via their website. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9 am to 9 pm, Saturday 9 am to 1 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm UK time.

thirtyone:eight Listening Service

Click here for more information about the Listening Service provided by thirtyone:eight.

Interim Support Scheme

The Archbishops’ Council has established an Interim Support Scheme to improve the Church’s response to current and non-current survivors of Church-related abuse. This Scheme is part of the Church’s recognition that harm has been caused by both that abuse itself, and the Church’s responses to survivors.

This Scheme is not intended to provide compensation or restitution to survivors, nor is it a redress scheme. The Scheme is intended to give immediate help and support to survivors whose life circumstances are significantly affected by the abuse suffered, and the response to it. The Scheme is designed to address immediate and urgent needs that help in the short-term to put the survivor’s life back on track.

Click here for more information.