SAFEGUARDING Policy STATEMENT

Purpose

The Bridge Church Lincoln Leadership recognises the importance of its responsibility to protect everyone entrusted to our care.

The purpose of the policy statement is:

To protect children, young people and adults who engage with events/ministry through Bridge Church Lincoln
To provide staff, volunteers, children, young people, and their families with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.

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.
That every child should be valued, safe and happy and want to empower them to tell us if they are suffering harm. All children and young people have a right to be treated with respect, to be listened to and to be protected from all forms of abuse.
That we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, financial, and discriminatory abuse and neglect of adults who have care and support needs and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
The personal dignity and rights of adults who find themselves victims of forced marriage or modern slavery and will ensure all our policies and procedures reflect this.

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 and adults with care and support needs.

We are committed to

Following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and adults 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 regarding 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 denominational or organisational guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults in need of protection.
Supporting the safeguarding co-ordinator/s in their work and in any action, they may need to take to protect children / adults.
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

We recognise

Children’s Social Services (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child. Adult Social Care (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs.
Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.
Where working outside of the UK, concerns will be reported to the appropriate agencies in the country in which we operate, and their procedures followed, and in addition we will report concerns to our agency’s headquarters.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Key persons

Safeguarding Lead: Sarah Lane

Assistant Safeguarding Lead: Sian Wade