PURLEY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

Policy Statement for Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults at Risk – updated – January 2018

 

Purley United Reformed Church, along with the whole Christian community, believes each person is created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore:

  • We have a duty to value all people, treat each person with dignity and protect them from harm.
  • We are committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk, and to ensure their well-being.
  • We recognise that abuse affects children, young people and adults and believe that abuse in all its forms is unacceptable and inconsistent with a Christian way of living.
  • We believe that all children, young people and adults at risk should know that they are valued within the church and safely enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of our church.
  • We respect the personal dignity and rights of children, young people and adults at risk (for example, as set out in the Human Rights Act 1989 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) and will ensure that our policies and procedures reflect this.
  • We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect of children and young people under 18 years of age.
  • We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, discriminatory abuse and neglect of adults at risk.
  • We will report any abuse of children, young people or adults at risk that we discover or suspect.
  • Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed, the police will be contacted as a matter of urgency.
  • We recognise that Children’s Services has responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child or young person, and that Adult Services do so for adults at risk.
  • We acknowledge that Local Authority Designated Officers (LADOs) or the equivalent in Scotland and Wales have responsibility for dealing with all allegations and concerns about people working with children or young people, whether paid or voluntary workers, lay or ordained.

Safeguarding Commitment

Purley United Reformed Church is committed to:

  • The establishment of a loving environment, which is safe and caring, and where there is an informed vigilance about the dangers of abuse.
  • Following the relevant legislation, statutory, denominational and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.
  • Ensuring that we keep up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.
  • Building constructive links with the relevant Voluntary and Statutory Authorities.
  • Taking all reasonable steps to ensure that as a church, everyone works within the agreed procedures of our safeguarding policies.
  • Supporting the Safeguarding Coordinators and Deputies in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children, young people and adults at risk.
  • Following safer recruitment principles in the appointment and selection of all those who work with children, young people and adults at risk, be they volunteer or paid staff, lay or ordained.
  • Supporting, supervising, resourcing and training all those who undertake work with children, young people and adults at risk.
  • Ensuring that the children, young people and adults we have contact with know that they are valued and feel empowered to tell us if they are suffering harm.
  • Reporting any abuse of children, young people or adults at risk that we discover or suspect. Supporting all those in our church who are affected by abuse.
  • Supporting and supervising those who pose a risk to children, young people or adults at risk, implementing contracts of behaviour, whilst bearing in mind the overarching principle that the welfare of the child, young person or adult is paramount.
  • If an assessment is made that someone poses an unmanageable risk to those in need of protection and could not safely attend our church, we will ensure that they continue to be offered pastoral care and will signpost them to appropriate agencies for support.

Key Contacts: Sources of advice and support

Purley URC safeguarding email address [email protected]

Purley United Reformed Church’s Safeguarding Coordinator for children and young people and the person to whom all concerns and allegations should be addressed:

Miss Jill Berry –  020 8681 2990

In the absence of the Safeguarding Coordinator, the Deputy Safeguarding Coordinator for children and young people can be contacted:

Mr. Andrew Mander – 020 8407 1647

Purley United Reformed Church’s Safeguarding Coordinator for adults at risk can be contacted:

Mrs Jill Denison –  01737 554260

In the absence of the Safeguarding Coordinator, the Deputy Safeguarding Coordinator for adults can be contacted:

Ms Louise Willmer – 020 8686 4866

United Reformed Church – Southern Synod 

Synod Safeguarding Officer – Children and Young People

Revd. Roger Jones – 020 8640 4053 

[email protected]

Synod Safeguarding Officer – Adults

Revd. Colin Telfer – 01843 448705

[email protected]

United Reformed Church Safeguarding Officer

Ioannis Athanansiou – 

020 7916 2729 079099 11404

[email protected]

Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) (This should only be used for urgent advice if you are unable to contact your Synod Safeguarding Officer) 24 hour helpline: 0845 120 4550

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

020 8726 6000 Ext.84322

[email protected]

                        4th Floor, Zone F,

                        Bernard Weatherill House

                        8 Mint Walk

                        Croydon, CR0 1EA

Statutory contact in the case of a child

                        Croydon Council Children’s Social Services

                        020 8726 6400  (24 hours)

                        4th Floor, Zone F

                        Bernard Weatherill House

                        8 Mint Walk

                        Croydon, CR0 1EA

Statutory contact in the case of an adult at risk

                        020 8726 6500

                        [email protected]

                        4th Floor, Zone F

                        Bernard Weatherill House

                        8 Mint Walk

                        Croydon, CR0 1EA

January 2018

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