We recognise the importance of our work with children, young people and vulnerable adults, and our responsibility to protect and ensure the wellbeing of everyone entrusted to our care.

We follow good practice as outlined by thirtyone:eight (Church Child Protection Advisory Service) Have a look at this video or see below for a more detailed explanation of how we achieve this!

Specifically:

  • We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect of children and young people (those under 18 years of age) and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
  • We believe every child should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that children we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are suffering harm.
  • All children and young people have the right to be treated with respect, to be listened to, and to be protected from all forms of abuse.
  • We also recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, financial, and discriminatory abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
  • 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 the life of the place of worship/organisation unless they pose a risk to the safety of those we serve.
  • We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of all those who will work with children and vulnerable adults.

 We are committed to:

  • Following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and good practice recommendations.
  • Respecting the rights of children as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • Implementing the requirements of legislation in regard to people with disabilities.
  • Ensuring that workers adhere to the agreed procedures of our safeguarding policy.
  • Keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.
  • Supporting the safeguarding coordinator/s in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children/vulnerable adults.
  • Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this place of worship/organisation.
  • Supporting parents and families.
  • Nurturing, protecting and safeguarding of children and young people.
  • Supporting, resourcing, training, monitoring and providing supervision to all those who undertake this work.
  • Supporting all in the place of worship/organisation affected by abuse.
  • Adopting and following the ‘Safe and Secure’ safeguarding standards developed by the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service.

 We recognise:

  • Children’s Social Services (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child.  Adult Social Care (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a vulnerable adult.
  • Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.
  • Where working outside of the UK, concerns will be reported to the appropriate agencies in the country in which we operate (and their procedures followed), and in addition, we will report concerns to our agency’s headquarters.
  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

 We will review this statement and our policy and procedures annually.

If you have any concerns for a child or vulnerable adult then please ring the church office on 0191 2332288 and you will be contacted by one of our approved safeguarding co-ordinators.

A copy of the full policy and procedures is also available from the church office & has also been lodged with thirtyone:eight.

City Church Safeguarding Coordinator: Ruth Evans     07903684559     ruth.evans7@gmail.com

thirtyone:eight (CCPAS) Christian Safeguarding Charity Helpline: 0303 003 11 11    info@thirtyoneeight.org