The positives of safeguarding, working with the media team

Karen Allen, Regional Safeguarding Manager for the North East, shares this blog in the series reflecting on ten years of since the Past Case Review.

The report, ‘Courage, Cost and Hope’ was a pivotal moment for safeguarding in the Methodist Church. Ten years later, I am still reminded by many, in particular ecumenical colleagues as to what an ambitious and progressive report this was. I continue to be proud to be told that Methodist safeguarding is ‘ahead of the game’ and my counterparts from our ecumenical partners often tell me that they ‘watch and wait’ to see what we do.

When you mention the word ‘safeguarding’ it represents what some see as unnecessary obstacles and administrative overload. I continue to meet with my Methodist colleagues during my working days and when asked where I work and/or what I do the reply of ‘safeguarding’ will sometimes result in a frown or a cynical remark. I do not take this personally but realise there is still some way to go in enlightening people that safeguarding is about looking after each other and ensuring our churches and church communities are safe for all. Safeguarding should be seen as natural with resulting positive actions and not something that gets in the way.

I continue to work with the media team to try and convey the positive aspects of safeguarding. It can be difficult at times as there are issues of confidentiality and consent at play, alongside the need to be sensitive. In safeguarding we cannot shout from the rooftops what we have done well for the aforementioned reasons and believe me there are many positive news stories.

There are related areas that have been publicised and this has included the ‘God Welcomes All’ study resource where a pilot group wrote about their positive experiences and resulting changes in their attitude and ways of working when they completed the study. More recently an article was featured which reflected on aspects of the hit TV series ‘Traitors’ cleverly relating them to safeguarding in our churches. The sharing of good news stories will continue and hopefully help to ensure safeguarding continues to be important in all we do.

The implementation of the recommendations from the report 'Courage, Cost and Hope' continue to make a significant difference to our work, in particular working closely with and listening to survivors. We still have some way to go but will continue to work hard, engaging with and supporting others to embed a culture of safeguarding throughout our churches and church communities.