Notes
Our values
- Grace: Acting with humility in all our endeavours
- Integrity: Acting with honesty, responsibility and accountability
- Respect: Valuing others, ensuring inclusiveness and equality
- Professionalism: Demonstrating commitment and striving for excellence
- Collaboration: Working together to connect and communicate in an open and transparent environment
- Innovation: Thinking creatively about building for the future and embracing change
Ensuring a Safe Church for All
The Church of Scotland has a deep concern for the wholeness and wellbeing of each individual.
Through its Congregations, working together with the Safeguarding Service and statutory agencies, the Church seeks to safeguard the welfare of all people who come into contact with the Church and its services.
The Gospel proclaims that it's the responsibility of everyone within the fellowship of the Church to prevent harm, be it physical, sexual or emotional, and we will always seek to reduce risk.
The Church's commitment to safeguarding reminds us that God cares passionately about the welfare and wellbeing of all people.
If you suspect or witness harm or abuse, or it is reported to you, you must immediately report it to your Safeguarding Coordinator or, for CrossReach services, your line manager.
You need to act when harm or abuse is suspected and not just when you are absolutely sure that harm has occurred.
The Church's key Safeguarding message is:
If you suspect or witness harm or abuse, or it is reported to you, you must immediately report it to your Safeguarding Coordinator or line manager.
It should never be the victim who has to leave the Church unless this is the only safe option.
If there are any child or adult protection issues, you should follow the Church's Safeguarding procedures for responding to child and adult protection concerns.
Whenever possible, references should be provided by an individual or organisation outwith the local church community.
Reassure the person that confidentiality will be kept, but explain there is a limit to confidentiality. These are the circumstances in which information may be shared with the police with the person's knowledge but not necessarily their consent. If serious abuse or a crime has happened and/or the person feels or is in immediate danger, advise them that for their own safety you must contact the police for advice. Once you have informed them of this, immediately contact Police Scotland, social work or the ambulance service.