Safeguarding

The Leadership of South Street Free Church, hereafter referred to as Leadership, recognises the
importance of its ministry / work with children and young people and adults at risk and its
responsibility to protect everyone entrusted to our care.
This church is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and ensuring their
well-being.
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 recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual,
psychological, financial and discriminatory abuse and neglect of adults who have care and
support needs and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
– We recognise the personal dignity and rights of adults who find themselves victims of
forced marriage or modern slavery and will ensure all our policies and procedures reflect
this.
– We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of all those who
will work with children and adults with care and support needs.
We are committed to:
– Following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and
adults at risk and good practice recommendations.
– Respecting the rights of children.
– 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.
– Following any denominational or organisational guidelines in relation to safeguarding
children and adults at risk.
– Supporting the safeguarding co-ordinator/s in their work and in any action they may need
to take in order to protect children / adults.
– Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines
established by this church.
– Supporting parents and families in the Fellowship
– 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 church 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 an 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.