If you think a child or adult is in immediate danger or a crime has been committed, you should call the police on 999.

Our Parish Safeguarding Officers are the first people to speak to if you have any concerns around the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult. Their details can be found below.

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'Ensuring a Safe Church for All'
The Church of Scotland's Safeguarding Policy Statement

The Church of Scotland (of which ABK is part) has a deep concern for the wholeness and well-being of each individual.

Through its Congregations, working together with the Safeguarding Service and statutory agencies, the Church seeks to safeguard the welfare of all people who come into contact with the Church and its services.

The Gospel proclaims that it’s the responsibility of everyone within the fellowship of the Church to prevent harm, be it physical, sexual or emotional, and we will always seek to reduce risk.

The Church’s commitment to safeguarding reminds us that God cares passionately about the welfare and wellbeing of all people.

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The Kirk Session and the wider congregation of ABK Church agree that:

• We accept and endorse the principles of the Church of Scotland's Safeguarding Policy: ‘Ensuring a Safe Church for All'; and practice guidance of the National Church.

• We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults.

• We recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church community.

• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Church, including the use of PVG disclosures and making appropriate referrals to the PVG service.

• We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and social care services in any investigation.

• We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them appropriate pastoral support.

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

• Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by the Church of Scotland's Safeguarding policies and guidelines.

 

Further guidance can be found in The National Church’s:
1. Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance
2. Parish Safeguarding Handbook