Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
Safeguarding people is an important aspect of the wider role of all pastoral and spiritual care.
The Trust takes seriously the welfare of all people who are involved in its activities.
Therefore, the Trust recognises that it is the responsibility of each of the Trustees and Beneficiaries to minimise the potential for any form of abuse including but not limited to the following: neglect, physical, sexual, spiritual, financial, psychological, or emotional abuse, and to report any abuse discovered or suspected. Trustees and Beneficiaries of the Trust have a responsibility to report any abuse discovered or suspected.
Trustees and Beneficiaries are required to:
- have knowledge of local and national safeguarding legislation and policies as applying to the forms of ministry they offer and abide by those frameworks within which they minister
- be alert to potential indicators of abuse
- be alert to the risks which individual abusers, or potential abusers, may pose
- contribute to whatever actions are needed to safeguard and promote an individual’s welfare
- have an up-to-date basic DBS, PVG, or equivalent check
- complete basic safeguarding training
The Trustees will keep a register that will be reviewed annually at the AGM.
We recognise there are two ways safeguarding applies to the work of the Trust:
- In the context of the Trust’s meetings of Trustees and Beneficiaries
- In the context of ministry provided by its Trustees and Beneficiaries
In the context of the Trust’s meetings
- The Trust aims to ensure that all participants are welcomed into a safe environment.
- The Trust recognises its responsibility to implement, maintain, and review policies annually, which are designed to prevent and be alert to abuse.
In the context of ministry provided by its members
- Beneficiaries aim to ensure that all people are welcomed into a safe, caring environment.
- Beneficiaries offering ministry in the context of other organisations (e.g. Dioceses) will be subject to those organisations’ safeguarding policies and practices.
- Beneficiaries will ensure that they have due regard for their own safety when meeting directees.
Any safeguarding concerns regarding the practice of the Trust should be addressed to the designated person with responsibility for Safeguarding in the Trust. This person will be responsible for referring the matter appropriately with regard to local and national safeguarding legislation and policies.
Any safeguarding concerns regarding Beneficiaries should in the first instance follow the procedures set out by the diocese, church community, or other body within which the individual is a part.
The person with designated responsibility for safeguarding within the trust is Tim Alban Jones. He may be contacted at safeguarding@annunciationtrust.org.uk.
Approved by the Trustees: 10.vii.23