Safeguarding Policy

The Church is committed to safeguarding as an integral part of its ministry and mission, promoting a safer culture and the welfare of every child, young person and adult. As such, the Church has robust policies, procedures and guidelines in place, to ensure good practice throughout the organisation.

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The Church is committed to the following...

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Ministry of Praise Will:

1. Promote a safer environment and culture Safely recruit and support all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults within the Church

2. Respond promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation

3. Care pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons

4. Care pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons

5. Respond to those that may pose a present risk to others

6. Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.

The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in Church activities are the responsibility of the whole Church. Everyone who participates in the life of the Church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all.

This Church Safeguarding Policy is therefore applicable to everyone associated with the Church, who encounters children, visitors, young people and vulnerable adults.

The Ministry of Praise Safeguarding Policy for Children and Vulnerable Adults (hereafter referred to as ‘the Church Safeguarding Policy’) is prepared in accordance with the government legislative framework:

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• For child protection: Protecting All God’s Children (4th edition, 2010), Promoting a Safer Church: Safeguarding Policy Statement for Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults (2017)

• For vulnerable adults’ protection: Promoting a Safe Church (2006).

• Recruitment: Practice Guidance: Safer Recruitment (2016).

• Roles and Responsibilities: Key Roles and Responsibilities of Church Office Holders and Bodies Practice Guidance (2017).

• The Children Act 1989 and 2004: These acts provide the legal framework for safeguarding children in England and Wales. They set out the duties and responsibilities of local authorities, health services, and other agencies to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.

• The Care Act 2014: This act sets out the legal framework for safeguarding adults at risk of abuse or neglect in England. It places a duty on local authorities to investigate suspected cases of abuse or neglect and take action to protect adults at risk.

• The Mental Capacity Act 2005: This act provides a legal framework for making decisions on behalf of individuals who lack the capacity to make decisions for themselves. It also sets out safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals from abuse or neglect.

• The Human Rights Act 1998: This act incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. It provides a legal framework for the protection of human rights, including the right to be protected from abuse and neglect.

• Data Protection: Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

 

There is nothing in Data Protection legislation that limits appropriate disclosure to protect a child, young person or adult who might be at risk; what matters is our information sharing should be reasonable, appropriate and proportionate. This Church Safeguarding Policy is intended to be compliant and consistent with the national policies.

Every human being has a value and dignity which comes directly from God’s creation of male and female in His own image and likeness. That image belongs to us by virtue of our creation and is not dependent on age, sex, health, mental health, social status.

Our ethos is to respect all people and to protect them from harm. We Implore a Christian approach to child protection will therefore ask both individuals and communities to create a safe environment for children, to act promptly on any complaints made to care for those who have been abused in the past and to minister appropriately to those who have abused. The Church must take seriously both human propensities to evil but also the God given resources of goodness.

A Christian approach to the protection of vulnerable adults begins by recognising that an individual remains fully human even if they are unable to exercise control or care over themselves, and even if they are unable to form or sustain relationships in a normal pattern. It will call individuals and communities to uphold in practice the dignity of a vulnerable adult, to offer support and help in an appropriate and timely way and to care for and to promote the well-being of those in need.

In seeking to implement the Church Safeguarding Policy, the responsibilities of Ministry of Praise include:

 

• Creating a safe and caring place for all.

• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people andadults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.

• Listening to and take seriously all who disclose abuse.

• Appointing a Church Safeguarding Team and a Lead Recruiter to work to implement and review policy, procedures and practice. This will include the following.

• Displaying the contact details of the Church Safeguarding Team and relevant local and national authorities.

• An annual review of the implementation of the Church Safeguarding Policy covering:

• Taking steps to protect children and vulnerable adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises. The Church itself will never itself investigate incidents of suspected child abuse.

• Caring for and monitoring any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and vulnerable adults – including those on the Sex Offenders Register whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.

• Ensuring that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments and appropriate insurance for all activities are in place and that these are reviewed annually.

• Recruitment Procedure for Volunteers

• Every volunteer wishing to serve in any ministry area involving children, young people or vulnerable adults must complete a screening process prior to serving and fulfil the following criteria:

✓ Must be in good standing with the church
✓ Must be 18 years of age or older.

• Young people who are 14+ may assist with children’s work, after discussion with the Youth and

• Children’s Worker. Any volunteers in this capacity contribute towards the number of children not the number of adults with regards to ratios.

The responsibility for the appointment of volunteers resides church leadership and heads of departments. In all cases the recruitment and appointment of volunteers for groups for children, young people and vulnerable adults will include the following:

 

• A face-to-face conversation with the designated ministry leader for the applicable area. This can be informal but must happen.

• It will be supplemented by provision of a relevant job description, opportunity to go through the job description, discussion of previous experience (if any) of working with the intended group, and opportunity for the volunteer to ask any questions.

• Completion of a Confidential Declaration Form, requiring the honest declaration of any criminal convictions. This should be returned to the Lead Recruiter in a sealed envelope for safe storage.

• Completion of a Registration Form. Volunteers who are 14+ but under the age of 18 will need to have this form countersigned by parents. This will include a signed declaration of having read the relevant safeguarding policy.

• Provision of two written references. Referees must not be relatives/partners, current parish clergy or church staff. Where a reference appears vague or raises concern the referee will be contacted to discuss the matter further.

• Completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) form of the applicable Enhanced level Disclosure.

• Volunteering may commence only once the satisfactory DBS Disclosure outcome has been received. This will be confirmed by the Lead Recruiter.

In addition to these legal duties, there are also moral duties to safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
These moral duties arise from the fundamental principles of respect, dignity, and autonomy.

 

Respect for human dignity: Safeguarding is important because all individuals, regardless of age or ability, have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. This means protecting them from harm, abuse, or neglect and promoting their well-being.

Duty to protect: There is a moral duty to protect vulnerable individuals who may be unable to protect themselves. This includes children, elderly individuals, and individuals with disabilities.

 

Autonomy and consent: Safeguarding also involves respecting an individual’s autonomy and right to make decisions about their own lives. This means seeking informed consent for any actions or interventions that may affect them.

Social responsibility: Safeguarding is also a matter of social responsibility. We all have a duty to ensure that vulnerable individuals are protected from harm and that their rights are respected.

Overall, the moral duties to safeguarding are rooted in the principles of respect, dignity, autonomy, and social responsibility. These duties go beyond legal requirements and reflect our shared values as a society.

All completed records created because of the recruitment procedure will be kept securely and indefinitely. The Church will retain the following:

 

• Confidential Self-Declaration Form

• Two personal, written references

• DBS Disclosure Certificate reference number

• Any additional notes related to the above.

The Ministry of Praise Safeguarding Team have been given responsibility for Safeguarding within the church family.

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Designated Safeguarding lead: Paul Thompson, tel: 07984 158232

MASH
Contact us to report abuse or neglect of a child or an adult with care and support needs.
Even if you're unsure, report it to us so that we can check. You can report your concerns anonymously if you want.

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Tel: 0208 489 4470
(For OOH emergencies please contact 0208 489 0000)
Email: MASHReferral@haringey.gov.uk
(In a state of an emergency please contact The Metropolitan Police on 999)

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Adult Safeguarding
Contact us to report abuse or neglect of a child or an adult with care and support needs.
Even if you're unsure, report it to us so that we can check. You can report your concerns anonymously if you want.

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Tel: 0208 489 1400
(For OOH emergencies please contact 0208 489 0000)
Email: Safeguardingadultduty@haringey.gov.uk
(In a state of an emergency please contact The Metropolitan Police on 999)

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National Contacts:

Thirtyone:eight (formerly known as CCPAS – the Church’s Child Protection Advisory Service) - Tel: 0303 003 1111

Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: Tel: 0800 0699 784

ChildLine Tel: 0800 1111

NSPCC: Child Protection Helpline: Tel: 0808 800 5000