Introduction to safeguarding Video 

Donna Gordon
Synod Safeguarding Officer
 
West Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church
Digbeth-in-the-Field URC | Moat Lane
Yardley | BIRMINGHAM | B26 1TW
 
Mobile: 07458 304275
Office : 0121 783 1177
mailto:[email protected]  
www.urcwestmidlands.org.uk
 
My core working hours are: Mon-Fri 10am –3pm (with flexibility for planned evenings and weekends)
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Statement of policy

The West Midlands Synod takes safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk seriously
We are committed to carry out the practice and principles outlined in the URC Safeguarding policy Good Practice 6 (GP6):
https://urc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GP6-2023.pdf

Additional resources page:
​https://urc.org.uk/safeguarding/safeguarding-good-practice/

In accordance with GP6, the West Midlands Synod -

• will encourage good practice in safeguarding in local churches within the Synod. We will seek to establish a caring environment in which there is an informed vigilance about the dangers of abuse.
• will appoint a Safeguarding Officer and encourage and support local churches in appointing Church Safeguarding Co-ordinators, whilst recognising that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We will organise activities in such a way as to promote a safe environment and minimise the risk of harm to children and adults.
• will follow a safer recruitment process for the selection and appointment of people to work with children or adults in need of protection, whether voluntary or paid, lay or ordained.
• is committed to providing support and supervision, resources and training, to those who work with children and adults.
• will use rigorous and careful supervision to protect people from the risks associated with known offenders within the Synod.
• will respond appropriately to all concerns and allegations of abuse, including referring to the Police and Social Care if necessary, either the Adult or Children’s teams.
• will co-operate with the Police, Children’s and Adult’s Services in any investigation, will follow multi agency decisions and will maintain confidentiality of any investigations to those directly involved.

 
All concerns or allegations concerning West Midlands Synod activities, staff or volunteers should be addressed to the West Midlands Synod Safeguarding Officer:
Name: Donna Gordon
Contact phone number: 07458 304275
Email address: [email protected]

DOWNLOAD THE LATEST SYNOD TRAINING DATES
(July-September 2025)

GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES
from the URC website

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foundation level online training

Foundation level training is now an online self-led course which is easy to access and takes between 60 & 90 minutes to complete. This course is suitable for anyone who is interested in gaining a basic understanding of safeguarding in the URC. It is also a pre – requisite for Intermediate level training.
 
Click this link to start the course: Safeguarding Foundation E-Course. Use the handbook (available to download at this link) to support your learning.  At the end of the course you will be asked a set of questions. Please answer and submit to gain your certificate. ​

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Slides from March 2022 Synod meeting

Donna Gordon presented a lot of information about changes to safeguarding policy and procedures at the March 2022 Synod Meeting.  The slides used are available here in PDF format.  Please contact Donna directly with any questions or safeguarding concerns

FOUNDATION TRAINING ONLINE COURSE

Please click the link below:
Safeguarding Foundation E-Course (canva.com)