Including Child Protection and the Protection of Adults at Risk

SECTION 1: DETAILS OF THE ORGANISATION

Name of Organisation: Ebenezer Evangelical Church
Address: New Road, Neath Abbey SA20 7NH
Charity Number: 1071105
Insurance Company: Public Liability Insurance with Congregational

The following are the activities we undertake with children:

  • Parent & Toddler Group
  • Youth Group
  • Occasional Bible Clubs

Leadership Safeguarding Statement

The leaders of this church 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 leadership of Ebenezer Evangelical Church:

This place of worship/organisation is committed to the safeguarding of children 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 with whom we have contact 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 believe all adults should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of the place of worship/organisation unless they pose a risk to the safety of those we serve.
  • We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of all those who will work with children.

We are committed to:

  • Following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and good practice recommendations.
  • Respecting the rights of children as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • 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 organisational guidelines in relation to safeguarding children.
  • Supporting the safeguarding co-ordinator/s in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children.
  • Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this place of worship/organisation.
  • Supporting parents and families
  • 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 place of worship/organisation affected by abuse.
  • Adopting and following the ‘Safe and Secure’ safeguarding standards developed by the Thirtyone:eight service.

We recognise:

  • Children’s Social Services has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child.

 SECTION 2: RECOGNISING AND RESPONDING APPROPRIATELY TO AN ALLEGATION OR SUSPICION OF ABUSE

Understanding abuse and neglect

Defining child abuse is a difficult and complex issue. A person may abuse by inflicting harm, or failing to prevent harm. Children 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.

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:

1 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.

  1. 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.

Safeguarding awareness

The Leadership is 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 our workers will be disclosed and trained in child protection through the Facing the Unthinkable Training pack, or updated materials, provided by Thirtyone:eight.

Responding to allegations of abuse

Under no circumstances should a worker carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse, but follow procedures as below:

  • The person in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse should report concerns as soon as possible to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator or Group Leader. The Neath Port Talbot Adult’s and Children’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) should be contacted on 01639 686802 or 01639 895455 (out of hours).
  • Where required the Safeguarding Co-ordinator should then inform the Church Leaders as soon as possible.
  • Suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above. A written record of the concerns should be made in accordance with these procedures and kept in a secure place.
  • Whilst allegations or suspicions of abuse will normally be reported to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, the absence of the Safeguarding Co-ordinator or Deputy should not delay referral to Social Services, the Police or taking advice from the Thirtyone:eight helpline 0303 003 11 11 .
  • The Leadership will support the Safeguarding Co-ordinator and Deputy in their role, and accept that any information they may have in their possession will be shared in a strictly limited way on a need to know basis.
  • It is, of course, the right of any individual as a citizen to make a direct referral to the safeguarding agencies or seek advice from Thirtyone:eight, although the Leadership hope that members of the organisation will use this procedure. If, however, the individual with the concern feels that the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy has not responded appropriately, or where they have a disagreement with the Safeguarding Co-ordinator(s) as to the appropriateness of a referral they are free to contact an outside agency direct. We hope by making this statement that the Leadership demonstrate its commitment to effective safeguarding and the protection of all those who are vulnerable.

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:

Allegations of physical injury, neglect or emotional abuse

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:

  • Contact Children’s Social Services (or Thirtyone:eight) for advice in cases of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child’s safety or if a child is afraid to return home.
  • Not tell the parents or carers unless advised to do so, having contacted Children’s Social Services.
  • Seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor of any suspicions. For lesser concerns, (e.g. poor parenting), encourage parent/carer to seek help, but not if this places the child at risk of significant harm.
  • Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them. In cases of real concern, if they still fail to act, contact Children’s Social Services direct for advice.
  • Seek and follow advice given by Thirtyone:eight (who will confirm their advice in writing) if unsure whether or not to refer a case to Children’s Social Services

ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:

  • Contact Neath Port Talbot Adult’s and Children’s Single Point of Contact or Police Child Protection Team direct. They will NOT speak to the parent/carer or anyone else.
  • Seek and follow the advice given by Thirtyone:eight if, for any reason they are unsure whether or not to contact NPT SPOC/Police. Thirtyone:eight will confirm its advice in writing for future reference.

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) and Wales Safeguarding Procedures will need to liaise with Neath Port Talbot Single Point of Contact Team (SPOC) in regards to the suspension of the worker.

SECTION 3: Prevention

Safe recruitment

The Leadership will ensure all workers will be appointed, trained, supported and supervised in accordance with government guidance on safe recruitment. This includes ensuring that, in the case of employment:

  • There is a written job description/person specification for the post
  • Those applying have completed an application form and a self declaration form
  • Those short listed have been interviewed
  • Safeguarding has been discussed at interview
  • Written references have been obtained, and followed up where appropriate
  • A criminal records disclosure has been completed (we will comply with Code of Practice requirements concerning the fair treatment of applicants and the handling of information)
  • Qualifications where relevant have been verified
  • A suitable training programme is provided for the successful applicant
  • The applicant has completed a probationary period
  • The applicant has read the organisation’s safeguarding policy and knows how to report concerns.

In the case of volunteer workers:

  • A self-declaration form has been completed
  • A criminal records disclosure has been completed (we will comply with Code of Practice requirements concerning the fair treatment of applicants and the handling of information)
  • A suitable training programme is provided
  • The worker has read the organisation’s safeguarding policy and knows how to report concerns.

Management of Workers – Codes of Conduct

As a Leadership we are committed to supporting all workers and ensuring they receive support and supervision. All workers will be issued with a code of conduct towards children and young people. The Leadership 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.

SECTION 4: Pastoral Care

Supporting those affected by abuse

The Leadership 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 the place of worship/organisation.

Working with offenders

When someone attending the place of worship/organisation is known to have abused children, or is known to be a risk to vulnerable adults the Leadership will supervise the individual concerned and offer pastoral care, but in its safeguarding commitment to the protection of children and vulnerable adults, set boundaries for that person which they will be expected to keep.

Safeguarding Adults at Risk

We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable adults and ensuring their well-being.

  • We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, spiritual, financial and discriminatory abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect
  • We recognise the personal dignity and rights of vulnerable adults and will ensure all our policies and procedures and practice reflect this
  • We believe all adults should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of this place of worship
  • We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with vulnerable adults, or who will be in positions of trust. We will promote safer practice and support, resource and train and regularly review those who undertake this work
  • We will keep up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding. We will follow statutory and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding adults and we will ensure that all workers will work within the agreed procedure of our safeguarding policy
  • We will implement the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005 and all other relevant legislation
  • We will support everyone in the place of worship/organisation who may be affected by abuse of any kind

We recognise that:

  • Neath Port Talbot Adult’s and Children’s Single Point of Contact Team has the lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a vulnerable adult
  • Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed, the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency
  • The policy and attached practice guidelines are based on the guidance and documents provided by Thirtyone:eight, an independent Christian charity which helps organisations to protect vulnerable people from abuse.

We will review this statement and our policy and procedures annually. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If anyone has any concerns for a child or vulnerable adult they should speak to one of the safeguarding co-ordinators for this place of worship.

A copy of the full policy and procedures is available from Ebenezer Evangelical Church.