Safeguarding Contacts

Child Protection Co-ordinator: David Lyons - david.lyons@stmungos.org

Vulnerable Adults Co-ordinator: Helen Yewdall - helen.yewdall@stmungos.org

St Mungo’s has adopted the following policy statements:

Child Protection

“The Scottish Episcopal Church recognises the special status of children and young people. Because of their vulnerability, children and young people will be awarded special protection. They are to be respected as a person in their own right, created and loved by God. We, therefore, commit ourselves to take all steps within our power to keep children and young people safe from physical, sexual and emotional harm.”

Vulnerable Adults

“The Scottish Episcopal Church recognises the special status of all vulnerable people, particularly those who, because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness, infirmity or ageing, are unable to protect themselves from abuse, or more vulnerable to being abused than persons who are not so affected. Because of their vulnerability, such people will be awarded special protection. They are to be respected as persons in their own right, created and loved by God. We, therefore commit ourselves to take all steps within our power to keep vulnerable people safe from harm and from an abuse of trust.”

St Mungo’s has developed a policy on safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults which contains details of procedures for good practice. They cover most aspects of working with children, young people, and vulnerable adults and can be regarded as the practical basis for our work in this area.

Also, because a number of children experience abuse because of their vulnerability, we have also developed Child Protection Procedures which are based on the Episcopal Church’s policy, so that if any child or young person discloses to a volunteer that they have been subjected to any form of abuse, the volunteer will be able to handle the situation appropriately and refer the situation on to the Child Protection Co-ordinator, David Lyons.

In addition to these procedures, Child Line acts as an independent body with whom any child or young person can discuss matters which are of concern to them and the Silver Line number is clearly displayed on posters with whom any vulnerable elderly people can discuss matters which are of concern to them. This is to ensure that children and young people and vulnerable adults feel that they can discuss any issues they may have about any matter within or outside church with someone who is independent of the day to day running of the church.

There are also Vulnerable Adults procedures in place for reporting concerns, based on the Episcopal Church policy, meaning that these concerns are reported and referred to the Vulnerable Adults Co-ordinator, Helen Yewdall.

Domestic Abuse

“Domestic abuse in all its forms is contrary to the will of God and an affront to human dignity.”

St Mungo’s Church Safeguarding Panel

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse. It can affect men and women, regardless of culture, sexuality, religion, age or class. It can also affect children, even if they're not directly experiencing abuse. Domestic abuse is a pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and/or violent behaviour, including sexual violence, by a partner or ex-partner.

We are committed to ensuring that informed and appropriate pastoral care is offered to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse; identifying and outlining the appropriate relationship of those with pastoral care responsibilities with both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse. Our full statement on domestic abuse can be read below.

If you are in need of immediate support we recommend you seek support from Women’s Aid Scotland or AMIS.