Safeguarding

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NUNEATON UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

          SAFEGUARDING POLICY

          FOR CHILDREN

          AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

Revised NOVEMBER 2023

The purpose of this policy is to ensure procedures are in place and all adults are clear about roles and responsibilities for the protection of children and vulnerable adults working in or on behalf of Nuneaton United Reformed Church. It is supported by the detailed overarching Safeguarding Policy of the West Midlands Synod, and the national URC Safeguarding Guidelines.

Everyone working in or for our church shares an objective to help keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe by contributing to providing a safe environment for all.

Church commitment – children and young people (under 18years)

Nuneaton United Reformed Church is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its children and young people.

It is recognised that some children may be especially vulnerable to abuse. We recognise that children who are abused or neglected may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth and to view the world in a positive way. Whilst at church based activities, their behaviour may be challenging or withdrawn. We recognise that some children who have experienced abuse may harm others. We will always take a considered and sensitive approach in order that we can support all of our children and young people

We will ensure that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who is involved in working with children in church. All adults must be perceived by the children as safe and trustworthy. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks are made for all adults working with children and young people in church, and all adults will be expected to complete training within a year of taking up a paid or voluntary role

All leaders who work with children and at church based activities will be required to undertake safeguarding training.

Safe practice ensures that children and young people are safe, and that all adults:

  • Are responsible for their own actions and behaviour and should avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question their motivation and intentions
  • Work in an open and transparent way
  • Discuss and/or take advice from the named Safeguarding Link Person (SLP) over any incident which may give rise to concern.

Where the SLP is unavailable the Synod Safeguarding Officer should be contacted

We are committed to working with parents and carers positively, openly and honestly. We ensure that all parents/carers are treated with respect, dignity and courtesy.

We respect parents/carers’ rights to privacy and confidentiality and will not share sensitive information unless we have permission or it is necessary to do so in order to protect a child.

Church commitment – vulnerable adults

Nuneaton United Reformed Church recognises that all its members and congregation may be vulnerable at times in their lives and there needs to be particular care taken for those whose vulnerability is increased by certain situations, by disabilities or by reduction in capacities.

It is recognised that this increased vulnerability may be temporary or permanent and may be visible or invisible.

Procedures

It is not the responsibility of the church to investigate welfare concerns or determine the truth of any disclosure or allegation.  However, all adults have a duty to recognise concerns and maintain an open mind.

Accordingly, all concerns regarding the welfare of children will be reported and discussed with the designated person responsible for child protection and the protection of vulnerable adults i.e. the safeguarding link person.

The serious issue of the abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults may take the form of physical, emotional, sexual, financial, psychological, online, spiritual or institutional abuse or neglect.

We acknowledge the effects these may have on people and their growth and development, including spiritual and religious development.

The church accepts its responsibility for ensuring that all people are safe in its care and that their dignity and right to be heard is maintained.

There is a responsibility to support, listen to and work for healing with survivors, offenders, communities and those who care about them.

The church takes seriously the issues of promoting an individual’s welfare so that each of us can aim to reach our full potential in God’s grace.

The Safeguarding Link Person, working with the West Midlands synod, commit themselves to respond without delay to any allegation or cause for concern that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed during any church based activity of whatever type. It commits itself to challenge the abuse of power of anyone in a position of trust.

Allegations regarding person(s) working in or on behalf of church

Where an allegation is made against any person working in or on behalf of the church that he or she has:

a. Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child or vulnerable adult.

b. Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child or vulnerable adult.

c. Has behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he is unsuitable to work

with children.

d. Has behaved in an unsuitable manner towards a vulnerable adult.

Detailed records will be made to include decisions, actions taken, and reasons for these.

All records will be securely retained.

Whilst we acknowledge such allegations (as all others), may be false, malicious or misplaced, we also acknowledge they may be founded. It is therefore essential that all allegations are investigated properly and in line with agreed procedures.

Initial Action

The person who has received an allegation or witnessed an event will immediately inform the SLP and make a record.

Where the SLP is unavailable the Synod Safeguarding Officer should be contacted

In the event that an allegation is made against the SLP, the West Midlands Synod Safeguarding Officer will be informed

The SLP may need to clarify any information regarding the allegation, however no person will be interviewed at this stage

Consideration will be given throughout to the support children and their parents/carers and

to the families of vulnerable adults.

The SLP will inform West Midlands Synod and ask for support if necessary

The safeguarding link person for children, young people and vulnerable adults at Nuneaton United Reformed church is

Jenny Oliver              Tel:  02476 387065                Mob:07842122455

Safeguarding contacts

Adult Safeguarding

24 hours 01926 412080

Children’s Safeguarding

Monday-Thursday 9.00 am-5.30 pm and Friday 9.00 am-5.00 pm 01926 414144

Any other time. 01926 886922

APPENDIX

CHILD PROTECTION

Child protection seeks to support the child’s development in ways which will foster security, confidence and independence.

It is regarded as central to the well-being of the individual and is therefore is an intrinsic part of all aspects of the church.

Aims

To encourage all children towards a positive self-image

To help children view themselves as part of the church community and, by example, to nurture children’s abilities to establish and sustain relationships with families, peers, adults and the world outside

To equip children with appropriate tools to make reasoned, informed choices, judgments and

decisions

To establish and maintain procedures so that all adults in church know how to act if they have concerns or need support regarding a particular child

To provide a model for open and effective communication between children, parents and other adults working with children

Objectives

To provide adequate and appropriate staffing to fulfil children’s needs whilst they are in any church organised activity or group, ensuring all adults are clear about their roles and responsibilities

To create an environment within the church where every child is valued as a member of the community and all members of the community are sensitive and responsive to the needs of

others

PROTECTING VULNERABLE ADULTS

A Vulnerable Adult is any adult aged 18 or over who, by reason of mental or other disability, age, illness or other situation is permanently or temporarily unable to take care of him or herself, or to protect him or herself from significant harm or exploitation.

It is regarded as central to the well-being of the individual and is therefore is an intrinsic part of all aspects of the church.

Aims

To encourage all adults to treat each other with respect and dignity

To help vulnerable adults view themselves as part of the church community and to establish and sustain relationships

To allow all vulnerable adults to make reasoned, informed choices, judgments and decisions

To establish and maintain procedures so that all adults in church know how to act if they have concerns or need support regarding a particular person

To provide a model for open and effective communication between all adults and children in the congregation and all other church groups

Objectives

To provide adequate and appropriate staffing to fulfil needs whilst vulnerable adults are in any church organised activity or group

To create an environment within the church where every person is valued as a member of the community and all members of the community are sensitive and responsive to the needs of others

It is the responsibility of all adults to identify and report all possible causes for concern or cases of abuse.

INCIDENT RECORDING FORM

(to be completed together by the person making an allegation and the safeguarding link person)

Date and time of incident: …………………………………………………………

Date on which this report is written……………………………………………

(This should preferably be immediately or no later than up to 48 hours of the incident taking place)

Your name: ……………………………………………………………………………..

Name of Child, Young Person or Vulnerable Adult and date of birth

……………………………………………………………………………………..DOB………………………

Address if known………………………………………………………………………