Protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults policy statement New Life Church Biggin Hill.

The following was agreed by the trustees and leadership team on 17th March 2022

 

• This place of worship is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults with care and support needs and ensuring their well-being.

• We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent and report any abuse that we discover or suspect. Including physical, sexual, psychological, financial and discriminatory abuse and neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults at risk of harm and abuse.

• We recognise the personal dignity and rights of vulnerable adults and will ensure all our policies and procedures reflect this.

• We believe all adults should enjoy and have access to every aspect of he life of this place of worship.

• We undertake to exercise proper care the appointment and selection of those who will work and volunteer with children, young people and vulnerable adults with care and support needs.

• We believe every child and young person should be valued and feel safe and happy within this place of worship. We want to make sure that the children and young people we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing harm.

 

We are committed to:

• Following statutory denominational and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and will ensure that as a place of worship, all staff and volunteers will work within the agreed procedure of our safeguarding policy.

• Implementing the requirements of the Disability Discrimination acts 1995 and 2005, Equality Act 2010 and all other relevant legislations.

• Supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake positions of working or serving our children, young people and vulnerable adults.

• Ensuring that we are keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.

• Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this place of worship/organisation.

• Supporting all in the place of worship/organisation affected by abuse.

 

We recognise:

• Children’s Social Services has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child or a young person. Adult Social Care has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a vulnerable adult with care and support needs.

• Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.

• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. 

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We will review this statement and our policy annually.

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If you have any concerns for a child, young person or vulnerable adult, then please speak to one of the following who have been approved as safeguarding co-ordinators for this place of worship/organisation. 

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