Safeguarding Policy
Our vision
The vision of this church is to: Love God, love each other and to make disciples. In fulfilling this vision, we welcome children, young people and adults, some of whom may be at risk, into the life and activities of our community. We also make our premises available to organisations working with children, young people and adults.
Our safeguarding responsibilities
The church recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children, young people and
adults - about whom it would be reasonable to believe may be more vulnerable to abuse -
regardless of their gender, ethnicity or ability.
As members of this church we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping
of all associated with the church and will pray for them regularly. In pursuit of this, we commit
ourselves to this policy and to the ongoing development of sound procedures to ensure we
implement our policy well.
●Prevention and reporting of abuse
It is the duty of each church member to help prevent the abuse of children, young
people and adults at risk, and the duty of each church member to respond to concerns
about the well-being of children, young people and adults. Any abuse disclosed,
discovered or suspected will be reported in accordance with our procedures. The
church will fully co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse
linked with the church.
●Safer recruitment, support and supervision of workers
The church will exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working,
whether paid or voluntary, with children and young people, and adults at risk.
All workers will be provided with appropriate training, support and supervision to
promote the safekeeping of all those they work with.
●Respecting children and adults at risk
The church has adopted, and will continue to follow, a code of behaviour for all who are
appointed to work with those at risk so that all children, young people and adults are
shown the respect that is due to them.
●Safer working practices
The church is committed to providing an environment that is as safe as possible for
children, young people and adults at risk and will adopt ways of working with them that
promotes their safety and well-being.
●A safer community
The church is committed to the prevention of bullying. The church will seek to ensure
that the behaviour of any individuals who may pose a risk to children, young people and
adults in the community of the church is managed appropriately.
Safeguarding contacts within our church
The church has appointed the following individuals to form part of the Safeguarding Team:
Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
She will advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and adults at
risk and take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
Wendy Cunliffe, Safeguarding Trustee
She will raise the profile of safeguarding within the church and oversee and monitor the
implementation of the safeguarding policy and procedures on behalf of the Church Trustees.
Where possible, the Safeguarding Team will work together if and when issues arise. However, each has a responsibility to report allegations of abuse as soon as they are raised.
Email: safeguarding@cottroad.org.uk
Answerphone: 01482 450345
Putting our policy into practice
● A copy of this Safeguarding Policy Statement will be displayed on the safeguarding notice board in the church foyer.
● Each person working with children or young people will be given a full copy of the Safeguarding Children policy and procedures and will be asked to sign to confirm that they will follow them.
● Each person working with adults at risk will be given a full copy of the Safeguarding Adults at Risk policy and procedures and will be asked to sign to confirm that they will follow them.
● Full copies of these policies and procedures will be made available on request to any member of, or other person associated with, the church.
● The policy and procedures (Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults at Risk) will be monitored and reviewed annually, and any necessary revisions adopted into policy and implemented through our procedures.
● The Safeguarding Policy Statement will be read annually at the Church AGM, together with a report on the outcome of the annual safeguarding review.
Updated January 2024