Safeguarding policy statement
- This church is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults with care and support needs and ensuring their well-being.
- We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help protect children and adults from harm or abuse in all their recognised forms.
- We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those who will work with children and adults with care and support needs.
- We believe every child and adult should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that all those we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing significant harm.
- We believe all people should enjoy and have access to every public aspect of the life of the church unless they pose a risk to the safety of those we serve.
We are committed to:
- Following statutory and specialist guidelines on safeguarding, including Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and keeping up to date with national and local developments.
- Implementing the requirements of legislation including the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005 and the Equality Act 2010, and referring concerns about adults with care and support needs to the local authority under the Care Act 2014.
- Supporting, resourcing and training those who work with children or adults with care and support needs within the church, and the Safeguarding Coordinators, and ensuring that they adhere to the agreed procedures of our safeguarding policy.
- Supporting all in the church affected by abuse.
We recognise that:
- Children’s Social Care has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child. Adult Social Care has this responsibility where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs.
- Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed, the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.
- Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
This statement was last reviewed and agreed by the Church Elders in September 2025. We will review this statement and our safeguarding policy annually. A copy of the safeguarding policy can be seen in the church office (Admin room) on request.
