Safeguarding Policy

The Church of the Nazarene in Knowle, Bristol, is an inner-city church within a mixed-demographic area – that proactivity engages through our faith-directed Vision and Mission in the area with children and young people under the age of 18, and also with people aged over 50 with additional support and care needs.

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The Church of the Nazarene in Knowle, Bristol delivers weekly Sunday School provision, community outreach sessions, social events and bible and worship studies for children and young people under 18.

 

 

Our commitment

As a Leadership within the organisation we recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people and adults.  We acknowledge that children, young people and adults can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect.
 

We 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”. We 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.”
 

As a Leadership we have therefore adopted the procedures set out in this safeguarding policy in accordance with statutory guidance.  We are committed to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding.  
 

The Leadership undertakes to: 

• endorse and follow all national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures, in addition to the international conventions outlined above.

• provide on-going safeguarding training for all its workers and will regularly review the operational guidelines attached.

• 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 Safeguarding Coordinator(s) in their work and in any action,  they may need to take in order to protect children and adults with care and support needs.

• the Leadership agrees not to allow the document to be copied by other organisations.  

 

Section 2: Prevention

Understanding abuse and neglect 

Defining child abuse or abuse against an 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 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:
1. 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. 

2. 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:
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Detailed definitions, and signs and indicators of abuse, as well as how to respond to a disclosure of abuse, are included here in our policy.

Safer 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:

 

• 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 disclosure and barring check has been completed where necessary (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, appropriate to their role.

• The applicant has completed a probationary period.

• The applicant has been given a copy of the organisation’s safeguarding policy and knows how to report concerns.

Safeguarding training

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 receive induction training and undertake recognised safeguarding training on a regular basis.
 

Safeguarding Co-ordinators will undertake endorsed safeguarding training at least every 3 years.

Identified leaders for children’s and youth worker will undertake endorsed safeguarding training at least every 3 years.
 

The Leadership will also ensure that children and adults with care and support needs 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.

Management of Workers – Codes of Conduct (see Code of Conduct Appendix also)

 

As a Leadership we 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 adults with care and support needs.
 

Where appropriate, this Code of Conduct may also be supplemented by the use of an Electronic and Online Safety Agreement.
 

All board members are required to sign a Code of Conduct and Electronic and Online Safety Agreement.

Section 3: Practice Guidelines

As an organisation / place of worship working with children, young people and adults with care and support needs we wish to operate and promote good working practice. This will enable workers to run activities safely, develop good relationships and minimise the risk of false or unfounded accusation. 

As well as a general Code of Conduct for workers we also have specific good practice guidelines for every activity we are involved in and these are attached or in the appendices.

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 adults. This can be because of cultural tradition, belief and religious practice or understanding, for example, of what constitutes abuse.
 

We therefore have clear guidelines in regard to our expectations of those with whom we work in partnership, whether in the UK or not. We will discuss with all partners our safeguarding expectations and have a partnership agreement for safeguarding, to be determined collaboratively on a case-by-case basis. This may be in the form of a formal Service Level Agreement or via an informal sharing of safeguarding standards/policies. It is also our expectation that any organisation using our premises, as part of the letting agreement will have their own policy that meets our own safeguarding standards.

We believe good communication is essential in promoting safeguarding, both to those we wish to protect, to everyone involved in working with children and adults and to all those with whom we work in partnership. This safeguarding policy is just one means of promoting safeguarding. 

Section 4: Responding to allegations of abuse 

Under no circumstances should a volunteer or worker carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse.

Follow procedures as below:

• Documenting a concern - The worker or volunteer should make a report of the concern using the Cause for Concern template made available electronically during induction and available onsite within the publicly displayed safeguarding pack (See Cause for Concern Appendix).

• The person in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse should report concerns as soon as possible to: 

Name: (hereafter the "Safeguarding Co-ordinator") Kris Tavender
Tel: 07766446572
Email: tavs01@hotmail.com

The above is nominated by the Leadership to act on their behalf in dealing with the allegation or suspicion of neglect or abuse, including referring the matter on to the statutory authorities. 

 

• In the absence of the Safeguarding Co-ordinator or, if the suspicions in any way involve the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, then the report should be made to one of the following Deputy: 

Name: (hereafter a "Deputy")    Colin Barclay
Tel:   07510178281
Email: 66colinbarclay@gmail.com

 

If the suspicions implicate both the Safeguarding Co-ordinator and the Deputy, then the report should be made in the first instance to:
 

Thirtyone:eight PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ. 
Tel: 0303 003 1111.  

Alternatively contact Social Services or the police. 

 

• The Safeguarding Co-ordinator should contact the appropriate agency, or they may first ring the Thirtyone:eight helpline for advice.  If deemed necessary, they should then contact social services in the area the child or adult lives.

Name of local authority: Bristol City Council
Children’s Social Services
Tel: 0117 9036444
Out of hours: 01454 615 165
Website: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/social-care-support-for-children-and-families     Adult Social Services
Tel: 0117 922 2700
Out of hours: 101/999
Website: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/ socialcarehealth/report-suspected-abuse

Name of local authority: South Gloucestershire Council
Children’s Social Services
Tel: 01454 866000
Out of hours: 01454 615165
Website: http://sites.southglos.gov.uk/ safeguarding/children/    Adult Social Services
Tel: 01454 868007
Out of hours: 01454 615165
Website: http://sites.southglos.gov.uk/ safeguarding/category/adults/

Police Protection Team Tel: Avon and Somerset Police – Dial 101/999

 

• The Safeguarding Co-ordinator may need to inform others depending on the circumstances and/or nature of the concern, including:

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  Chair or trustee responsible for safeguarding who may need to liaise with the insurance company or the charity commission to report a serious incident.

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  Designated officer or LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) if the allegation concerns a worker or volunteer working with someone under 18.

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  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.

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  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 Thirtyone:eight.

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  The Leadership will support the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/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, with those listed as above.

• 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 place of worship / 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 the Children’s Social Services Department Duty Social Worker for children and families 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 Children’s Social Services/Police. Thirtyone:eight will confirm its advice in writing for future reference. 

 

Adult Abuse
Where there is a concern that an adult is in need of protection, including: suspicions or allegations of abuse or harm including; physical, sexual, organisational, financial, discriminatory, neglect, self-neglect, forced marriage, modern slavery, domestic abuse; the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:

Contact the Adult Social Care Team who have responsibility under the Care Act 2014 to investigate allegations of abuse. Alternatively, Thirtyone:eight can be contacted for advice.
If the adult is in immediate danger or has sustained a serious injury contact the Emergency Services, informing them of any suspicions.
 

Spiritual Abuse
If there is a concern regarding spiritual abuse, Safeguarding Co-ordinator will:

• Identify support services for the victim i.e. counselling or other pastoral support.

• Contact Thirtyone:eight and in discussion with them will consider appropriate action with regards to the scale of the concern.
   

Allegations of abuse against a person who works with children/young people

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: 

• Liaise with Children’s Social Services in regard to the suspension of the worker.

• Make a referral to a designated officer formerly called a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) whose function is to handle all allegations against adults who work with children and young people whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.

• Make a referral to Disclosure and Barring Service for consideration of the person being placed on the barred list for working with children or adults with additional care and support needs. This decision should be informed by the LADO if they are involved.

Allegations of abuse against a person who works with adults with care and support needs

The safeguarding co-ordinator will:

• Liaise with Adult Social Services in regards the suspension of the worker.

• Make a referral to the DBS following the advice of Adult Social Services.

The Care Act places the duty upon Adult Services to investigate situations of harm to adults with care and support needs. This may result in a range of options including action against the person or organisation causing the harm, increasing the support for the carers or no further action if the ‘victim’ chooses for no further action and they have the capacity to communicate their decision. However, this is a decision for Adult Services to decide not the church.

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Section 5: Electronic & Online Safety

Leadership recognises that online safeguarding and e-safety are an increasing necessity in a modern world for our service users and participants, and that Facebook, Twitter, blogs, instant messaging and photo and video exchange sites are now common ways of communicating. All of these online tools provide a useful way for everyone to connect with children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs, but also introduces a range of potential safeguarding risks.
 

The purpose of our online safeguarding approach is to:

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• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs is paramount when using the internet, social media or mobile devices.

• Provide all staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to online safety, monitored through our Electronic and Online Safety Agreement.

• Ensure that, as an organisation, we operate in line with our values and within the law in terms of how we use online devices, as outlined in our Electronic and Online Safety Agreement.
   

This applies to all staff, volunteers, children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs.

We believe that:
 

• Children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs should never experience abuse of any kind-including online.

• Children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs should be able to use the internet for education and personal development, but safeguards need to be in place to ensure they are kept safe at all times.

We recognise that:

• The online world provides many opportunities; but also risks and challenges.

• We have a duty to ensure that all people (including but not limited to children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs) involved in our organisation are protected from potential harm online.

• We have a responsibility to help keep children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs safe online whilst attending our activities and our building.

• Working in partnership with children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in helping young people to be responsible in their approach to online safety.

We will seek to keep children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs people safe by:
 

• Identifying a fixed responsibility for online safety coordination within the role of Safeguarding Coordinator.

• Providing clear and specific directions to staff and volunteers on how to behave online through our Code of Conduct and Electronic and Online Safety Agreements.

• Supporting and encouraging all participants using our service to use the internet, social media and mobile phones in a way that keeps them safe and shows respect for others.

• Where appropriate, support and encourage parents and carers to do what they can to keep children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs safe online.

• Developing an Electronic and Online Safety Agreement for staff for use with children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs.

• Developing an Electronic and Online Safety Agreement for all participants (including but not limited to children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs).

• Developing clear and robust procedures to enable us to respond appropriately to any incidents of inappropriate online behaviour, whether by children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs or any other participant.

Section 6: 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 and those who may pose a risk
 

When someone attending the place of worship / organisation is known to have abused children, is under investigation, or is known to be a risk to adults with care and support needs; the Leadership will supervise the individual concerned and offer pastoral care, but in its safeguarding commitment to the protection of children and adults with care and support needs, set boundaries for that person, which they will be expected to keep. These boundaries will be based on an appropriate risk assessment and through consultation with appropriate parties.

 

 

END OF POLICY ( Updated March 2022)