Welcome and thank you

Your Role Description and Volunteer Agreement

You should have a straightforward description of your role, and what you should expect. If you haven’t, speak to the member of staff who is in charge of your ministry.

Safeguarding

You should be aware of any safeguarding issues that are related your role. The St James Safeguarding polices can be found here. In the case of queries, speak first to the member of staff who is responsible for your ministry, or if there is an issue email safeguarding@st-james.org.uk. The Church of England’s Parish Safeguarding Handbook can be downloaded here.

Promoting a Safer Church states that:

"All Church Officers will respect all children, young people and vulnerable adults and promote their well-being.

The Church will strive to create and maintain environments that are safer for all, that promote well-being, that prevent abuse, and that create nurturing, caring conditions within the Church for children, young people and vulnerable adults. It will work to continue to strengthen and review these environments.  This will be done by training, support, communication, learning, governance and quality assurance processes.

The Church will strive to support all Church Officers to adhere to safer working good practice and to challenge the abuse of power. It will ensure that processes are in place that listen to and advocate on behalf of children, young people and vulnerable adults within the knowledge that they will be cared for."

The requirements for a safe environment are summarised in Section 11 of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook.

Recruiting ex-offenders

The St James Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy can be accessed here.

Whistleblowing Policy

The St James Whistleblowing Policy can be accessed here.

Health and Safety Policy

The St James Health and Safety Policy (2024) can be accessed here, pending a revision of the appendices by Summer 2025.
Appendix 1 can be accessed here.