Safeguarding Policy
Section 1 – Details of the place of worship / organisation
1.1 Church Details
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Name:
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Nant Coch Church (hereafter, “The Church”) |
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Address:
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68 Fields Park Road, Newport, South Wales. NP20 5BH. |
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Telephone Number:
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(01633) 259112 (This is the number of the telephone in the church building and will only be answered when someone is present). |
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Email address:
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Website:
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Denomination/ Organisation:
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Nant Coch Church is an independent church affiliated to both the Evangelical Alliance and Partnership. |
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Charity number:
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Registered as a charity in England and Wales with the Charity Commission, number 1149126. |
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Insurance company:
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Public liability insurance with ANSVAR insurance company. |
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A brief description of our church and the type of activities available for with children and vulnerable adults: |
Nant Coch Church has a wide range of activities with children throughout the week. On Sundays there is a crèche for 0-2 year olds, alongside other sessions for those aged 3-18 years old. Each week during the school term there are two ‘Babies and Toddlers’ sessions on Tuesdays as well as ‘GoGos’ for 3-6s on a Thursday evening, ‘Go for It’ club for 7-11s and ‘Xperience’ for ’11-18s’ on a Friday evening. There are also maths and craft clubs each week. Once a year at the end of August there is a ‘Holiday Club’ for 5-11 year olds for 1 week. There are monthly events for fathers and children (Who let the Dads out) and mothers and children (Working Mothers’ Club). Nant Coch Church is also keen to train and encourage teenagers to serve and some of them come along to the events for 5-11 year olds as ‘junior helpers’. Each month there is a community event for anyone in the community to attend and mainly elderly people attend. During the sessions there is usually a quiz followed by an activity and/or speaker and finished off with lunch. Some vulnerable adults may attend these sessions. |
1.2 Our commitment
The Trustees and Church Leaders recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults. The Trustees and Church Leaders acknowledge that children, young people and vulnerable adults can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. The Trustees and Church Leaders accept the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Human Rights, which states that everyone is entitled to “all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”. The Trustees and Church Leaders also concur with the Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that children should be able to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse. They have a right to be protected from “all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s), or any other person who has care of the child.” The Trustees and Church Leaders have therefore, adopted the procedures set out in this safeguarding policy in accordance with statutory guidance. The Trustees and Church Leaders are committed to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding.
The policy and attached operational guidance are based on the ten Safe and Secure safeguarding standards published by the Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS).
The Trustees and Church Leaders undertake to:
Section 2 - Recognising and responding appropriately to an allegation or suspicion of abuse
2.1 Understanding abuse and neglect
Defining child abuse or abuse against a vulnerable adult is a difficult and complex issue. A person may abuse by inflicting harm, or failing to prevent harm. Children and 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 or vulnerable adult.
In order to safeguard those in Nant Coch Church, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child provides a starting point for the definition of abuse; Article 19 states:
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.
Detailed definitions, and signs and symptoms of abuse, as well as how to respond to a disclosure of abuse, are included in the appendices of this policy.
2.2 Safeguarding awareness
The Trustees and Church Leaders are committed to on-going safeguarding training and development opportunities for all workers, developing a culture of awareness of safeguarding issues to help protect everyone. All workers will receive induction training and undertake safeguarding training on a regular basis. This will involve in-house training as well as training at seminars run by CCPAS.
The Trustees and Church Leaders will also ensure that children and vulnerable adults are provided with information on where to get help and advice in relation to abuse, discrimination, bullying or any other matter where they have a concern.
2.3 Responding to allegations of abuse
Under no circumstances should a worker carry out his/her own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse. Procedures should be followed as below:
The role of the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/ Deputy is to collate and clarify the precise details of the allegation or suspicion and pass this information on to statutory agencies who have a legal duty to investigate.
Detailed procedures where there is a concern about a child:
2.4 Allegations of physical injury, neglect or emotional abuse (children and young people)
If a child has a physical injury, a symptom of neglect or where there are concerns about emotional abuse, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:
2.5 Allegations of sexual abuse (children and young people)
In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:
The following procedure will be followed where there is a concern that an adult is in need of protection:
2.6 Suspicions or allegations of physical or sexual abuse (vulnerable adult)
If a vulnerable adult has a physical injury or symptom of sexual abuse the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:
2.7 Allegations of abuse against a person who works with children
If an accusation is made against a worker (whether a volunteer or paid member of staff) whilst following the procedure outlined above, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, in accordance with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures, will need to liaise with Children’s Social Services in regards to the suspension of the worker, also making a referral to a Safeguarding Adviser (SA) or Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
Section 3 - Prevention
3.1 Safe recruitment
The Trustees and Church Leaders will ensure all workers will be appointed, trained, supported and supervised in accordance with government guidance on safe recruitment. This includes ensuring that:
Wesley Harris, Steph Young and Tanya Francis are recruiters for Nant Coch Church.
3.2 Management of Workers – Codes of Conduct
The Trustees and Church Leaders are committed to supporting all workers and ensuring they receive support and supervision. All workers have been issued with a code of conduct towards children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Section 4 - Pastoral Care
4.1 Supporting those affected by abuse
The Church Leaders are 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 the church.
4.2 Working with offenders
When someone attending the Church is known to have abused children, or is known to be a risk to vulnerable adults, the Church Leaders will supervise the individual concerned and offer pastoral care. In its safeguarding commitment to the protection of children and vulnerable adults, the Church Leaders, after seeking any advice needed from CCPAS, will set boundaries for that person which they will be expected to keep.
Section 5 - Practice guidelines
In working with children, young people and vulnerable adults, the church wishes to operate and promote good working practice. This will enable workers to run activities safely, develop good relationships and minimise the risk of false accusation.
There is a code of conduct for workers as well as operating guidance for use in all activities.
5.2 Working in Partnership
The diversity of organisations and settings means there can be great variation in practice when it comes to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. This can be because of cultural tradition, belief and religious practice or understanding, for example, of what constitutes abuse.
Nant Coch Church, therefore, has clear guidelines in regards to our expectations of those working in partnership, whether in the UK or not. Nant Coch Church will discuss with all partners our safeguarding expectations and have a partnership agreement for safeguarding. It is also expected that any organisation using our premises, as part of the letting agreement will have their own policy that meets CCPAS’ safeguarding standards.
Good communication is essential in promoting safeguarding. This is true for those being protected, for everyone involved in working with children and vulnerable adults and for partner organisations. This safeguarding policy is just one means of promoting safeguarding.
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Signed:
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Date:
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Print Name:
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Role: Chair of the Trustees |
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Signed:
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Date:
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Print Name:
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Role: Elder |
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Signed:
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Date:
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Print Name:
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Role: Elder |
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Signed:
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Date:
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Print Name:
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Role: Elder |
Appendix 1: Definitions of child abuse
The following definitions of child abuse are recommended as criteria throughout Wales by the Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills and the Home Office in their joint document, Working Together to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children (2000).
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to a child whom they are looking after. This is commonly described using terms such as 'factitious illness by proxy' or 'Munchausen Syndrome by proxy'.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child such as to cause severe and continuous adverse effects on the child's emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or valued only so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve causing children to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill-treatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyber bullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape or buggery) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
Neglect
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child's health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child's basic emotional needs.
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger; ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate
care-givers); or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
Appendix 2: Definitions of abuse of vulnerable adults
The following definition of abuse is laid down in ‘No Secrets: Guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse’ (Department of Health 2000):
‘Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons. In giving substance to that statement, however, consideration needs to be given to a number of factors:
‘Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act of neglect or an omission to act, or it may occur when a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which he or she has not consented, or cannot consent. Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it.’
Physical Abuse
This is the infliction of pain or physical injury, which is either caused deliberately, or through lack of care.
Sexual Abuse
This is the involvement in sexual activities to which the person has not consented or does not truly comprehend and so cannot give informed consent, or where the other party is in a position of trust, power or authority and uses this to override or overcome lack of consent.
Psychological or Emotional Abuse
These are acts or behaviour, which cause mental distress or anguish or negate the wishes of the vulnerable adult. It is also behaviour that has a harmful effect on the vulnerable adult’s emotional health and development or any other form of mental cruelty.
Financial or Material Abuse
This is the inappropriate use, misappropriation, embezzlement or theft of money, property or possessions.
Neglect or Act of Omission
This is the repeated deprivation of assistance that the vulnerable adult needs for important activities of daily living, including the failure to intervene in behaviour which is dangerous to the vulnerable adult or to others. A vulnerable person may be suffering from neglect when their general well being or development is impaired.
Discriminatory Abuse
This is the inappropriate treatment of a vulnerable adult because of their age, gender, race, religion, cultural background, sexuality, disability etc. Discriminatory abuse exists when values, beliefs or culture result in a misuse of power that denies opportunity to some groups or individuals. Discriminatory abuse links to all other forms of abuse.
Institutional Abuse
This is the mistreatment or abuse of a vulnerable adult by a regime or individuals within an institution (e.g. hospital or care home) or in the community. It can be through repeated acts of poor or inadequate care and neglect or poor professional practice.
Appendix 3: Signs and symptoms of abuse (children and young people)
The following signs could be indicators that abuse has taken place but should be considered in context of the child’s whole life.
Physical
Sexual
Emotional
Neglect
Under-nourishment, failure to grow, constant hunger, stealing or gorging food, untreated illnesses, inadequate care, etc.
*These indicate the possibility that a child or young person is self-harming. Approximately 20,000 are treated in accident and emergency departments in the UK each year.
Appendix 4: Signs and symptoms of abuse (vulnerable adults)
Physical
Sexual
Psychological
Financial or Material
Neglect or Omission
Discriminatory
Institutional
Appendix 5: How to respond to a child or vulnerable adult wishing to disclose abuse
Ensure the physical environment is welcoming, giving opportunity for the child or vulnerable adult to talk in private but making sure others are aware the conversation is taking place.
Helpful Responses
Don’t Say
Appendix 6: Leaders’ Safeguarding Statement
The Trustees and Church Leaders of Nant Coch Church (hereafter referred to as Leaders) recognise the importance of its ministry/work with children and young people and adults in need of protection and its responsibility to protect everyone entrusted to our care.
The following statement was agreed by the Leaders on: XX January 2017.
Nant Coch Church is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and ensuring their well-being. Specifically, Nant Coch Church:
Nant Coch Church is committed to:
Nant Coch Church recognises:
Nant Coch Church will review this statement and our policy and procedures annually.
If you have any concerns for a child or vulnerable adult then speak to one of the following who have been approved as safeguarding co-ordinators for this church.
_______________________________________________________Child and Adult Safeguarding Coordinator
_________________________________________________ Deputy Child and Adult Safeguarding Coordinator
A copy of the full policy and procedures is available from Wesley Harris, Steph Young or Tanya Francis. A copy is also kept in a folder in the entrance hall.
A copy of our safeguarding policy has been lodged with CCPAS and the South East Wales Safeguarding Children Board.
Signed by the Chair of the Trustees for the Trustees Signed on behalf of the Elders / Leadership Team
Signed _______________________________ Signed _______________________________
Date __________________________ Date __________________________