We are committed to Safeguarding Children, Young People, Victims of Domestic Abuse and Vulnerable Adults. Details of our safeguarding policy can be found below.

The Church of Scotland lives the Gospel message which declares that the least, the last and the lost should be at the heart of what we believe and how we respond in our faith. Safeguarding underpins this theological imperative to care for the most vulnerable people we engage with in our life and work. Everyone has the right to feel safe and cared for in the Church and it is also the responsibility of everyone in the Church.

Harm or abuse of children and adults at risk can happen anywhere – even in Church communities. As a result, Safeguarding, protecting children and adults at risk from harm, is a permanent and necessary part of Church life. Abuse is incompatible with our Christian values.

We believe that our church life should include a safe space for all to meet in.  All who work with our young people and “vulnerable adults” must first be interviewed about the role they will undertake. It is mandatory that they also possess an up-to-date PVG certificate. 

Please help us maintain this safe space. If you become aware of any actual or potential compromise of the Church’s Safeguarding Values or Policy (see below), then please get in touch via the Contact Us page of this website.

We want to be rigorous in abiding by the Church of Scotland’s Safeguarding Values and Policy, which are:


What do we mean by Safeguarding in the Church?

Safeguarding is about protecting children and adults at risk in, or known to, Church congregations. Safeguarding is broader than child and adult protection and a collective approach to safeguarding aims to encourage every local church and every individual member to play their part in: 

The Church of Scotland’s Safeguarding system seeks to adopt a preventive approach to safeguarding through:

Where possible, the aim of the Church is to prevent harm or abuse. However, where that is not possible, we wish to ensure a timely and appropriate response to any safeguarding concerns. 

For more information on the Church of Scotland’s Safeguarding policies, practice and procedures, as well as details of how to contact the Church of Scotland Safeguarding Service, please visit the Church of Scotland website.