This form should be used to indicate that a Safeguarding Coordinator is no longer acting in that capacity and/or to initiate the process to recognise a new Safeguarding Coordinator, either main or deputy in the local church.

Please download and complete the form below and send it to DBS.PVG.Verifiers@urc.org.uk, keeping a copy for your own needs.

• Church Safeguarding Coordinator Declaration Form (PDF | 119kb)

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The report makes 20 recommendations which the United Reformed Church (URC) will now study in detail and make any necessary changes to its policy and practice.

The Revd Dr John Bradbury, General Secretary of the URC, said: “Throughout the inquiry, the harrowing stories of children let down and the scale of abuse uncovered is both shocking and shameful.

“Survivors have been rightly placed at the forefront of the Inquiry’s investigations and we are grateful for its work.

“The URC has robust policies and procedures in place to ensure the welfare and protection of all who attend its churches and who use its premises, and the Church will continue to make sure that safeguarding remains a priority and the responsibility of everyone to ensure the safety of all who share in our activities.

“The URC will address failures where they have occurred, and we are sorry for where this has not happened .

“We will now take time to consider the recommendations and see where changes in our processes might be made in light of the report and the government’s subsequent response.”

URC responds fully to IICSA report – 21 January 2022
URC welcomes publication of IICSA report – 2 September 2021
URC offers heartfelt apology to abuse survivors –

Image: Michal Parzuchow/Unsplash.

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A maximum of five years imprisonment can be imposed on those who abuse positions of trust.

Although previous legislation, in sections 16 to 19 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 made it illegal for an adult in a position of trust to be involved in sexual activity with a person aged 16 or 17, faith leaders were excluded. The legislation has also been extended to sports coaches.

Following numerous high-profile child sexual abuse cases in religious settings, concerns were raised in Parliament and across wider society. The government has since created Section 22A of the Act, where the term ‘positions of trust offences’ are extended to include an adult who is:

• coaching
• teaching
• training
• supervising, or
• instructing in a religious context to a 16 or 17-year-old on a regular basis.

For the Church, this extension acknowledges that adults who supervise or instruct in these environments are particularly influential over a child’s development.

This change in the law recognises that children in religious settings can be subject to manipulation and grooming and aims to reduce this.

It is important to note that an adult will not be in a position of trust where they are participating in the activity with a child infrequently or on one occasion, or where the adult is unaware that they are carrying out an activity that has regular connection with children.

Sharon Barr, United Reformed Church Designated Safeguarding Lead, said: “The United Reformed Church welcomes this development, and we are asking churches to update their policies and��procedures.

“We also ask that this message is made clear to those in attendance at churches to ensure that awareness around this issue is raised.

“Churches may also wish to consider what steps can be taken to ensure that all young people are aware of this and of the ways in which disclosures can be made.”

For more information on the change to the law, please see the 2021 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Court Bill’s

Alternatively, please email the Safeguarding team here.

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John 13 gives an account of Jesus sharing his last meal with his disciples, a group of friends he had come to know during his ministry.

This group was made up of different characters from a variety of backgrounds.

The events that occurred in John 13, the washing of his disciples’ feet, Jesus predicts his betrayal and Peter’s denial, were a surprise to some.

This leads me to ask: when we bring groups of people together in church, how well do we really know them and what insight might we gain about how our relationships with them will play out?

I wonder how some of the characteristics and behaviours of the disciples may resonate with those we come across in church?

Peter was impulsive, James and John were lively and passionate, Thomas was pessimistic and intense, Matthew was sociable and methodical, Philip rather hesitant and lacked in confidence, Andrew positive and enterprising, Thomas could be self-centred and resentful, Judas was secretive and ultimately betrayed Jesus leading to Jesus’ capture and crucifixion.

To me, this illustrates that no one is perfect, not even the 12 disciples that were chosen by Jesus. Therefore, we have to expect this to be replicated in our churches, we have to acknowledge that this could lead to safeguarding situations.

When people fall short, we should show some of the love Jesus commanded in John 13:34-35: “A new command��I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.��^��By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

We can also use the wisdom of those in placed in specific roles within the church to safeguard those worshipping in our churches. Proverbs 11:14 springs to mind: “Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.”

We pray:

Grant��us, Lord God, a vision of your world as your love would have it:
A world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor;
A world where the riches of creation are shared, and everyone can enjoy them;
A world where different races and cultures live in harmony and mutual respect;
A world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love.
Give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen
(Archbishop Oscar Romero)

Find more information about the URC’s Safeguarding Team here.

Image: The Last Supper sculpture by Peter Barnes credit Sue Adair CC By-SA 2.0/www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6709052

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21 January 2022

Following an initial response by the United Reformed Church (URC) which welcomed the findings of the IICSA report into Child Protection in Religious Organisations and Settings in September 2021, more detailed responses can now be provided.

As core participants of the inquiry, the URC is committed to ensuring that safeguarding continues to be paramount throughout the denomination. The Church’s first response which outlined six key objectives in relation to its five-year safeguarding strategic plan can be read at Safeguarding Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025��(PDF | 553kb)

The IICSA report made two recommendations, of which one is relevant to the URC.

This can be found in ‘Recommendation One’, which highlights that:

All religious organisations should have a child protection policy and supporting procedures, which should include advice and guidance on responding to disclosures of abuse and the needs of victims and survivors. The policy and procedures should be updated regularly, with professional child protection advice, and all organisations should have regular compulsory training for those in leadership positions and those who work with children and young people.

Monitoring of these actions and compliance will be overseen by the Safeguarding Advisory Group on behalf of the URC General Assembly.

All religious organisations should have a child protection policy and supporting procedures, which should include advice and guidance on responding to disclosures of abuse and the needs of victims and survivors:

The URC has a safeguarding policy and good practice guidance document called Good Practice 6 (GP6) which can be found here as well as a Safeguarding Policy Statement that was adopted at General Assembly in July 2021 which can be found here.

Within GP6 there is a wealth of appendices to support churches, synods and the Assembly.�� All areas of the URC are expected to adhere to the Good Practice guidance, with the support of their Synod Safeguarding Officer and the denominational Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Sections in GP6 include:

• Recognising, responding, reporting and recording to concerns
• The division of responsibilities for safeguarding
• Well-being and pastoral care of those who are, or maybe, at risk of harm
• Work with those who have suffered abuse, offering appropriate pastoral support
• Supporting survivors of abuse

Appendices to GP6 include:

• Model Safeguarding Policy for Local Churches
• Safeguarding incident/concern reporting form
• A guide to supporting those affected by domestic abuse
• A guide to supporting adult survivors of abuse

The policy and procedures should be updated regularly, with professional child protection advice:

The URC Good Practice document is updated biannually, with the next review in 2026. The review is undertaken by a working group which will be led by a newly appointed Safeguarding Policy Coordinator and is made up of individuals from across all areas of the Church including safeguarding and child protection professionals such as social workers, ex-police and those with an education/early years background. The document is reviewed by an external safeguarding child protection professional as part of the review process.

If there are any changes to legislation or best practice outside of the review timescale then addendums will be produced to take effect immediately.

All organisations should have regular compulsory training for those in leadership positions and those who work with children and young people:

At General Assembly, in July 2021, the meeting agreed a Safeguarding Training Framework which sets out the expectations of those in roles within the URC including leaders and those working with children and young people to undertake safeguarding training.

• Download the Safeguarding Training Framework (PDF | 68kb)

The URC has a Safeguarding Training and Development Coordinator who supports synods to ensure compliance with this document.

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Information on the six main objectives in the URC’s five-year strategic plan for safeguarding can be downloaded below:

• Safeguarding Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025 (PDF | 553kb)

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Safeguarding Good Practice 6

The URC’s Good Practice 6 book contains information to assist you in your day to day safeguarding responsibilities.

Policy Statement

General Assembly adopts the safeguarding policy statement outlined in this report and commends it to church meetings, elders’ meetings and synods for consideration and implementation.

Safeguarding Strategic Plan

Information on the six main objectives in the URC’s five-year strategic plan for safeguarding

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