Safeguarding

Beacon Hill URC is committed to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children and follows the URC national guidelines for volunteers and staff. All our volunteers and staff working with children and vulnerable adults are DBS checked.

The United Reformed Church (URC) is committed to safeguarding in every area of its life and ministry. Safeguarding is the action taken to promote and protect the well-being and human rights of individuals.
This means we will:

• Do all we can to create and maintain a safe and caring environment for all people
• Respond promptly and effectively to any form of abuse and neglect, including reporting abuse
  to statutory agencies when necessary
• Seek to prevent abuse in any form from occurring. We will seek to identify individuals who may pose a risk to others and take necessary actions to minimise risk whilst supporting these individuals in our communities when safe to do so.
  If you wish to discuss a safeguarding concern, please contact:
• Karen Smith Safeguarding Co-ordinator 07742 669341
• Christine Allen, Deputy Safeguarding Co-ordinator 07713 153110
• Both Karen & Christine are available about safeguarding matters at bhurcsafeguarding@gmail.com
  Sharon Barr Synod Safeguarding Officer.
  Contact details: 07776 178246 .
  
  To view Good Practice 6, the URC’s Safeguarding Guidance document please see below. .

This is the Safeguarding Policy agreed by Church Meeting in May 2025.

Our Safeguarding Policy is available to view at Church or can be downloaded by clicking on the link above.

The Safeguarding Statement approved by Church Meeting in May 2025:

Our Online Safeguarding policy for reference:

This is the current guidance document on Safeguarding for the URC:

Safer Recruitment

The Charity Commission requires that the appointment of volunteers and paid staff should be done through a process of safer recruitment. This is a framework that uses a range of measures to both deter and prevent unsuitable individuals from working (either paid or volunteers) with vulnerable people. Mistakenly, some believe that carrying out a Disclosure and Barring check (DBS) is all that is needed when recruiting workers. Whilst it can be tempting for churches to take short cuts when people are willing to help out, are a familiar face and there are gaps in the rotas, it is important to be aware that a DBS check is only part (albeit an essential one) of a safer recruitment process. This process should be carried out prior to people engaging in roles working with children or young people and adults at risk.

The safer recruitment process for Beacon Hill URC is as follows:

Church Meeting agreed an additional element to the Safer Recruitment guidance. The current file is uploaded below:

Safer Election of Elders

Elders are called into ministry by the Church Meeting. However, the URC acknowledges that those who are in positions of responsibility should be properly equipped for the ministry to which they are called.
The key provisions in relation to safeguarding are that a newly elected Elder shall:
a) undertake a suitable induction training programme
b) be given a copy of:
+ URC Guidelines for the Conduct and Behaviour of Elders
(see www.bit.ly/3RSNGmI)

• the church’s safeguarding policy with knowledge of how to report concerns
  c) apply for a relevant DBS / Disclosure Scotland check
  d) attend safeguarding training within six months of ordination and / or induction. GP6 p.27/28

Please see the current leaflet on Eldership below: