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 PrintableVersion Safeguarding adultsA manual for working with vulnerable adult and developing safe practiceDo they need it?SAFEGUARDING ADULTS The abuse of vulnerable people is not a new phenomenon. It happened right through the stiff and starchy period of the 19th century, often chronicled by Charles Dickens and his like. It continued well into the 20th century, often behind the high walls of state institutions. The fact that it continues today is, however, less easy to ignore, because it happens in the streets and houses around us. People with learning disabilities and elderly people are particularly exposed — ‘elder abuse’ has crept into everyday language. A decade or more ago, churches were increasingly aware of the possibility of child abuse in their organisations. The Churches Child Protection Advisory Service enabled churches to respond by the production of helpful literature and practical guidelines. Now the CCPAS has produced this ‘manual for working with vulnerable adults and developing safe practice’ in every congregation. Everything you needIn the space of 63 A4 size pages Safeguarding Adults provides a church with everything it needs to know — and do — to ensure that it is aware of the issues and is proactive in responding to them. ‘Many vulnerable adults attend places of worship and appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures should be in place within every congregation’ (p.12). The manual is easy to follow, clear in its definitions, practical in its advice and relevant to the real issues that can arise — particularly for churches (e.g. how to provide pastoral care to a converted sex offender while also safeguarding vulnerable members of the congregation!). A CD is included, which contains a copy of the Safeguarding Adults manual in Word and PDF format. This means churches and organisations can use the model policy and forms, and customise (i.e. cut and paste) to make them relevant to the particular church or organisation. The manual is marred by several printing errors — not least in citing Times New Roman as an example of a sans serif typeface! Surprisingly it does not list Prospects for People with Learning Disabilities among its useful addresses, especially given that it is the UK’s largest Christian organisation in its field. Notwithstanding these facts, the manual is highly recommended as a resource for church leaders on this important topic. Time was when many churches saw their role as preaching the gospel, providing pastoral care to its members and teaching their children biblical truth. Some may still consider this sufficient. But society — and, arguably Scripture — does not agree. Any church is part of its community and has biblical and moral responsibilities to that community. Many of these are now enshrined in law. On the one hand, they lay upon the church a duty to its neighbours; on the other they offer the church opportunities to demonstrate the love of God in a fallen world. Responding to those duties and opportunities requires more than a spirit of ‘do-goodery’. They must be built into the life and structures of the church in a way some may find onerous and certainly are demanding. The danger of simply ignoring the situation has the potential to lead to serious harm to vulnerable people — and shame for the church and the gospel. The manual is available from CCPAS at PO Box 133, Swanley, BR8 7UQ, or via their website http://www.ccpas.co.uk. David C. Potter,
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