Important Note for the Connexional Year 2011-2012

‘Note regarding Safeguarding, for the purposes of the connexional year 2011–2012

The Conference in 2010 discussed a report, Recruiting Safely – for Work with Children,

Young People and Vulnerable Adults and adopted the report’s Policy and Guidance for

Good Practice of the Methodist Church 2010. The Government then rescinded parts of

the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) in England and Wales pending review. Following

publication of twin reviews (CRB and VBS) in February 2011, the proposed changes were

placed before Parliament in the Protection of Freedoms Bill. This is expected to receive

Royal Assent in May 2012. The Methodist Church policy was adapted to reflect these

changes and launched as an interim policy, Recruiting Safely, in November 2010. The

interim policy requires as follows:

a) All those who regularly work with children or vulnerable adults, including

those who do so on a rota, must have criminal record checks;

b) All those who work occasionally – but not incidentally - with children or

vulnerable adults must have criminal record checks;

c) All those who manage or supervise those who work with children or

vulnerable adults and (if not otherwise included) all candidates for ordained

ministry, all local preachers going on trial and all new worship leaders must

also have criminal record checks.

In Scotland the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme was implemented in February

2011 and the appropriate separate policy relating to this is on the Methodist website.

Further information may be available from District Safeguarding Groups and Officers, from

the Connexional Team or through the Methodist Church Website: www.methodist.org.uk’