Safeguarding Policy

Our safeguarding policy

As part of its mission, the Church is committed to:

• Valuing, listening to and respecting children, young people and adults as well as promoting their welfare and protection.
• Safe recruitment, supervision and training for all the children's/youth workers within the church.
• Adopting a procedure for dealing with concerns about possible abuse.
• Encouraging and supporting parents/carers.
• Supporting those affected by abuse in the church.
• Maintaining good links with the statutory childcare authorities and other
  organisations. 

CHURCH POLICY
The Church leadership recognises the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children and young people. It also acknowledges that children and young people can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. 

The Church leadership has therefore adopted the procedures set out in our policy which recognises the need to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary child protection agencies. Our Church is a member of the CCPAS (Policy no 3411) and have been members since 2005. 

Our policy and guidelines are based on the model published by the Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) and prepared in consultation with the local authority. The Church leadership undertakes to file a copy of the policy and practice guidelines with CCPAS and social services, and any amendments subsequently published.

The Church leadership is committed to on-going child protection training for all children/youth workers and will regularly review the operational guidelines.

The Church leadership also undertakes to follow the principles found within the Abuse of Trust guidance issued by the Home Office and it is therefore unacceptable for those in a position of trust to engage in any
behaviour, which might allow a sexual relationship to develop for as long as the relationship of trust continues.

The following policy was agreed by The Church leadership, for service/ events on Sundays & Wednesdays (and any other service time for revival services, conference etc.)

• We are committed to supporting parents and families
• As leaders of the church we are committed to the nurturing, protection and
  safeguarding of children
  and young people.
• We recognise that child protection is everybody's responsibility
• We are committed to following the agreed procedures and following statutory,
  denominational and specialist guidelines.
• We seek to support all in the Church affected by abuse
• We review this policy annually.
  If you have any concerns for a child or in relation to any child protection matter then speak to our designated child protection co-ordinator Mrs Patience Makaka. A copy of the full policy can be seen in the church office upon request.