STATEMENT ON SAFEGUARDING

New Life Church is committed to safeguarding children and adults with care and support needs and ensuring their well-being.

● We recognise that we have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, financial and discriminatory abuse and neglect of children and adults at risk of harm and abuse and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.

● We recognise the personal dignity and rights of children and adults 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 church.

● We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children and adults.

● We believe every child should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that children we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing significant harm.

We are committed to:

● Following statutory guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults and will ensure that all staff and volunteers will work within the agreed procedure of our Safeguarding Policy.

● Implementing the requirements of all relevant legislation in regard to safeguarding and taking this seriously.

● Supporting, resourcing and training all staff and volunteers who undertake this work.

● Ensuring that we are keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.

● Ensuring that all staff and volunteers abide by New Life Church’s Safeguarding Policy and guidelines.

● Supporting all in the church community affected by any type of abuse.

We recognise:

● Children’s Social Services has the responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child.

● Adult Social Care has the 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.

● That Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We will review this statement and our policy annually.