SHOULD YOU WISH FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO REPORT A CONCERN, PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF OUR SAFEGUARDING COORDINATORS:
SALLY GORTON & PETER REYNOLDS.
OUR COMMITMENT
The Church Leadership (elders and trustees), hereinafter referred to as CL, recognises the importance of its ministry to children, young adults and vulnerable adults, and its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children, young adults and vulnerable adults entrusted to the church’s care. The CL also recognises the importance of protecting and safeguarding all who have contact with the Church. Full and detailed safeguarding documents are issued to all those who work with children, young adults and vulnerable adults, a copy is available upon request.
As part of its mission, the TKCC is committed to:
- endorse and follow all national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures, in addition to the international conventions where appropriate.
- provide annual in-house safeguarding training, and regular external training as required for all the team members and will regularly review the operational guidelines.
- ensure that the premises meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and all other relevant legislation, and that it is welcoming and inclusive.
- support the Co-ordinators in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children, young adults, and vulnerable adults.
Safeguarding Awareness
The CL recognises the need to provide a safe and caring environment for all and especially children, young adults, and vulnerable adults.
The CL recognises that Children, young adults and vulnerable adults have the right to lead their lives in safety, free from unwarranted intrusion of others. The CL acknowledges this and has endeavoured to try and ensure a response of support where the safety of the child, young adult or vulnerable adult is paramount.
The CL has therefore adopted procedures in line with our policy. It also recognises the need to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary safeguarding agencies. This policy is based on a model published by Thirtyone:eight (previously CCPAS). The CL will regularly review safeguarding documentation.
On joining a team or ministry that involves children, young adults and/or vulnerable adults all paid staff and volunteers will receive a copy of the safeguarding documents. They will be required to attend regular safeguarding workshops.
RECOGNISING AND UNDERSTANDING ABUSE
Defining abuse against a child, young adult or vulnerable adult is a difficult and complex issue. A person may abuse by inflicting harm or failing to prevent harm. Children, young adults, and vulnerable adults in need of protection may be abused within a family, an institution, or a community setting. Very often the abuser is known or in a trusted relationship with the child, young adult, or vulnerable adult.
In order to safeguard those in our places of worship and organisations we adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and have as our starting point as a definition of abuse, Article 19 which states:
States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.
Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment, and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate, for judicial involvement.
Also for adults the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights with particular reference to Article 5 which states:
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
PREVENTION :
APPOINTMENT, SUPPORT, SUPERVISION & TRAINING OF TEAM MEMBERS
The CL will ensure all team members will be appointed, trained, supported, and supervised in accordance with the principles set out in government guidelines, Thirtyone:eight (previously CCPAS) guidance and TKCC documentation. We are committed to safe recruiting procedures, ensuring all activities are appropriately monitored, all team members receive support and regular training.
PASTORAL CARE
As a community, we are committed to the principle of caring for one another. The CL recognises the need to ensure as far as is possible a safe environment for care, ensuring that all pastoral team members receive support and appropriate training.
SUPPORTING THOSE AFFECTED BY ABUSE
The CL is committed to offering pastoral care (working with statutory agencies as appropriate) and support to all those who have been affected by abuse, who have contact with or are part of, TKCC.
WORKING WITH OFFENDERS
When someone attending TKCC is known to have abused children, young adults or vulnerable adults, the CL are committed to working with offenders in a way that ensures a safe environment for all.
COMPLAINTS
The CL is committed to taking seriously any complaint and will follow our complaints procedure.
FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE DETAILS OF OUR PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING THE SAFEGUARDING OF CHILDREN AND/OR YOUNG ADULTS, PLEASE EMAIL INFO@KINGSCHURCHCHESHAM.CO.UK