The Free Church of Scotland has a Christian care for the welfare of each individual and seeks to make the Church a safe place for all. 

In particular, the Church seeks to protect and safeguard all those who are especially vulnerable, both children and vulnerable adults, with whom it comes into contact through its activities and services.

It is the responsibility of everyone in the Church, including those working with vulnerable groups, to seek to prevent harm or abuse, whether physical, sexual or emotional.

The Church seeks to safeguard these vulnerable groups through its congregations, committees and advisers and, where appropriate, in cooperation with the statutory agencies, police and social services.  

To this end, the Church is committed to training those who work on its behalf, both paid workers and volunteers, with children and vulnerable adults how to recognise and report harm or abuse. 

The Church is also committed to operate safe recruitment and working practices and procedures with respect to all such workers and to offer them appropriate support, supervision and training.

The Church also undertakes to offer pastoral support to individuals in the Church who have been affected by harm or abuse.

We publish online our set of guidelines which we encourage safeguarding co-ordinators to familiarise themselves with. 

Further advice and information in relation to specific circumstances can be obtained by contacting the Free Church Offices by phoning 0131 226 5286 or emailing offices@freechurch.org

Our Safeguarding Co-ordinator is Audrey Warde.

Our Safeguarding Policy is available here.

Our Safeguarding Policy for Social Media is available here.