Accountability

Any mission trip in which church members are involved should have clear lines of accountability.

Mission trips may be organised by local churches themselves or by churches in partnership with other churches, organisations such as international mission agencies, or NGOs. If another agency is involved then there should be a partnership agreement, in writing, between the two organisations. This partnership agreement should, among other things, spell out which organisation's safeguarding policy is operational for the mission trip.

There should be a named person to contact in the event of any safeguarding concerns arising and an agreed process for reporting concerns to the statutory authorities.

Participants should be recruited by the organisation responsible in line with its safeguarding policy and good practice in safer recruitment.

Church of Scotland workers should familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding Handbook in its entirety.