Policies and Procedures
Here you will find the policies, procedures and terms of reference for Holy Trinity, Prestwood.
There are currently no COVID-19 specific policies or Risk Assessments in place, save that in all communion services communion is available by bread alone, bread intincted by the presiding priest, and by bread and then wine administered by the common cup (that is, the chalice).
The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of the whole Church. Everyone who participates in the life of the Church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all. The Church of England safeguarding policy statement is based on 5 foundations and offers 6 overarching policy commitments:
- Promoting a Safer environment and culture
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Church
- Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
- Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons
- Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons
- Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
This policy applies to all Church Bodies and Church Officers. Full understanding of, and adherence to, our policies should lead to a deepening in the understanding of, and respect for, the rights of children, young people and vulnerable adults as people of faith in the life of the Church. Here are our safeguarding policies, which are renewed every year.
The 'Promoting a Safer Church' document is publicised and promoted, and available to all Church Officers.
Access the 'Parish Safeguarding handbook and other C of E resources.
Safeguarding Procedure for Dealing with Allegations or Concerns
The Parish Safeguarding Handbook states that the incumbent and the PCC will:
- Have a procedure in place to deal promptly with safeguarding allegations or suspicions of abuse;
- Report all safeguarding concerns or allegations including those against church officers to the Parish Safeguarding Officer/
incumbent and the DSA.
We follow the guidance in Section 7 of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook, which is summarised below (open page to view).
Our Health and Safety policy is a really simple. We've thought about everything we do, and if you follow these simple procedures you'll know that you are being safe—protecting yourself and other people. And, as a church, it means we can let people get on with activities without worry. The Health and Safety Policy is really simple to use. Download the policy relating to your activity. (These policies are also printed, and copies are placed in suitable locations.) In each policy document you'll find a short description of the risks we've identified and a table of actions to take to minimise and manage the risks. Make sure you, and anyone you're working with, follows those Required Actions. It's as simple as that. It is absolutely imperative that people follow the Required Actions for the activity they are undertaking. If we use our common sense and follow the Required Actions we know we are safe. If we don't, we are not safe, and we are creating risks for ourselves and others—both physical risks, and risks of liability if something goes wrong. So please follow these simple policies and enjoy what you do!
- General Principles (Part 00)
- Normal Services (Part01)
- Services with Congregational Candles (Part 02)
- Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals (Part 03)
- Cooking Facilities (Part 04)
- Organised Meals (Part 05)
- Lone Working (Part 06)
- Church Cleaning (Part 07)
- Working at Heights (Part 08)
- General Fire Risk (Part 09)
- Car Park Management (Part 10)
- Graveyard Maintenance (Part 11)
- Children's Church (Part 12)
- Youth Group (Part 13)
- Kit Bag Club (Part 14)
- Toddler Thursdays (Part 15)
- Employment of External Contractors (Part 21)
- External Users (Part 22)
- External Users - Abridged version (Part 22)
- Bumps and Babies
Your privacy is important to us. We collect, use, record and destroy data in line with our Privacy Policy.
We welcome children and other baptised Christians to receive communion in our church. This policy outlines our welcome to those who wish to receive communion before confirmation.
We affirm that anyone who has been baptised in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit should be accepted as fully initiated into the family of Christ, and be included into our community regardless of gender, age, sexuality, race, social standing, physical or mental disability or health. Our welcome should echo that of the welcome in our baptism service: “We welcome you into the fellowship of faith; we are children of the same heavenly Father; we welcome you.” We also recognise the importance of communion as part of an active Christian life. It is our responsibility to include anyone who has been baptised into our Eucharistic community and help sustain them on their Christian journey.
Pcc Members (the Trustees) of HTP have a duty to act in the best interests of HTP and must not use their position as a trustee to their own personal benefit. Conflicts of interest occur when a trustee’s personal or business interests or the interests of any person or organisation to which the trustee is connected conflict, or have the potential to conflict, with the interests of HTP.
The Holy Trinity, Prestwood policy for transporting vulnerable adults and children.
Terms of reference for sub-committees.
This policy describes the controls, limits and responsibilities that assure the financial accountability of expenditure within the church.
Christ’s command is that we love one another as he has loved us, so caring for others is the responsibility of us all. Our Pastoral Care Policy sets out the basic principles under which this care is offered, the way in which attention must be given to safeguarding the vulnerable, and confidentiality. Those authorised to give more focused pastoral care are required to confirm that they will adhere to the terms of this Policy.
This policy sets out the procedure by which ashes are interred in the churchyard of Holy Trinity, Prestwood following the installation of the Ashes Garden Memorial in 2021.
This employee handbook sets out the employment framework within Holy Trinity Church. The main terms and conditions of employment for employees are summarised in the employee handbook. Full details of any conditions, policies and procedures can be obtained from the incumbent or during an interregnum the churchwarden. You will need to have logged in to the website to view this page. The handbook, and the word documents that make it up, are also available on the Secretary's OneDrive in the 'Staff Handbook' folder.
The PCC must approve the use of social media and mobile phones by the church. Where there are Facebook or similar online groups set up on the church’s behalf,the PCC must ensure there is a named person to whom all workers are accountable. The named person is the Rector, and during a vacancy the churchwardens. The attached use policy is based on and to be read in conjunction with Section 12 of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook.
The Parish Safeguarding Handbook states that the incumbent and the PCC will:
- Have a procedure in place to deal promptly with safeguarding allegations or suspicions of abuse;
- Report all safeguarding concerns or allegations including those against church officers to the Parish Safeguarding Officer/
incumbent and the DSA.
We follow the guidance in Section 7 of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook, which is summarised below (open page to view).
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity, Prestwood is a registered charity, no. 1129233.