Safeguarding
Safeguarding is important to us. Here you can find information, guidance, and key contacts within our Circuit.
The Methodist Church takes Safeguarding very seriously. We have trained Safeguarding Officers in each of our churches, together with a Circuit Co-ordinator and a District Safeguarding Officer. All of our paid staff, Clergy, local church officers, Local Preachers and those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are required to have on-going Safeguarding Training and a current DBS check.
For any Safeguarding concerns or questions you might have, in the first instance contact your local Church Minister or church Safeguarding Officer. They would be interested to talk to anyone who has concerns about any matter within our churches and Circuit. You can also contact the District Safeguarding Officer or The Methodist Church Safeguarding Team.
Safeguarding Contacts
Superintendent Minister – Rev. Teddy Kalongo superintendent@bsgc.org.uk
Circuit Safeguarding Officer – Jo Hill circuitsafeguarding@bsgc.org.uk
Bristol District Safeguarding Officer Jade Morgan – Email: MorganJ@methodistchurch.org.uk
Tel: +44 20 7467 3522 | Mobile: 07825 579457
Safeguarding Training Update
Foundation training
We are organising a number of training sessions across the year. We hope this allows everyone who needs foundation training to select one that fits for them. If there are significant numbers of people in a specific location who need training then we will attempt to organise specific training for that group. We would welcome offers form local churches to host the training and for someone to act as chaplain for each session.
- Tuesday 24th November 2026 9.45 for a 10am start at Hanham Methodist Church – led by Anna and Fiona – again we need a chaplain please.
- Saturday 6th February 2027 9.45 for a 10am start at Horfield Methodist Church – chaplain TBC – led by Fiona and Jo
To book places please send names and the date of the training you will be attending to the circuit safeguarding email address and we will collate all the information. If you are a church safeguarding officer then it would be helpful if you could collate a single list for your setting and send it to us.
Advanced training
This can only be delivered at district level, it will be led by our Regional Officer for Safeguarding (ROS) Jade Morgan.
The following courses are live to book onto via Eventbrite
- Friday November 27th 10am at in person at Brean Methodist Church
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/bristol-advanced-training-with-jade-morgan-4841532
Alternatively, you can complete the advanced course in a self-led manner online (via MCBX) followed by a ‘gathered session’, dates of gathered sessions are due to be released shortly. If you wish to complete advanced training in this way then your request should be sent to Amber Tate on tatea@methodistchurch.org.uk, you will need to register on MCBX before you a
Responding to Bullying & Harassing Behaviour – 25 November 2026
A short training course led by Jon White, exploring how to recognise and respond to bullying and harassing behaviour within our churches and faith communities. The course offers practical skills to promote healthy relationships and deal confidently with challenging behaviour.
Safeguarding Policy Documents
The Circuit adopts Methodist Church policies in all areas of Safeguarding. These are reviewed and approved annually by the Circuit Meeting to ensure our policies are the latest versions of the Church’s policies.
Our Circuit commits to:
- The creation of a safe environment and culture where all are welcome and everyone feels able to speak out about safeguarding concerns
- Pastoral care for victims and survivors of abuse, and other people who have been affected by safeguarding issues
- A prompt and appropriate response to every safeguarding concern or allegation regardless of status or circumstance
- Carry out risk assessments and put safeguarding measures in place where individuals may present a risk
- Pastoral care for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations
- Safe recruitment of all those who have responsibility for children and adults who may be vulnerable
- The promotion of good safeguarding practice through effective training, guidance, policy and procedures