New Jerusalem Gospel Church (NJGC) Safeguarding Policy
Policy Statement
New Jerusalem Gospel Church (NJGC) believes that everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of age, ability or disability, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status.
NJGC is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment and an open, listening culture where people feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution.
NJGC acknowledges that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility and is committed to prevent abuse and neglect through safeguarding the welfare of all adults and children involved.
NJGC recognises that health, well-being, ability, disability and need for care and support can affect a person’s resilience. We recognise that some people experience barriers, for example, to communication in raising concerns or seeking help. We recognise that these factors can vary at different points in people’s lives.
NJGC recognizes that there is a legal framework within which organisations need to work to safeguard adults and children who have needs for care and support and for protecting those who are unable to take action to protect themselves and will act in accordance with the relevant safeguarding adult nd children legislation and with local statutory safeguarding procedures.
Actions taken by NJGC will be consistent with the principles of adult and children safeguarding to ensure that any action taken is prompt, proportionate and that it includes and respects the voice of the adult or child concerned.
I. Adults Safeguarding Policy
Introduction
New Jerusalem Gospel Church is committed to Safeguarding adults in line with national legislation and relevant national and local guidelines. We will safeguard adults by ensuring that our activities are delivered in a way which keeps all adults safe.
New Jerusalem Gospel Church is committed to creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm to adults which necessitates: the recognition of adults who may be at risk and the circumstances which may increase risk; knowing how adult abuse, exploitation, or neglect manifests itself; and being willing to report safeguarding concerns.
This extends to recognising and reporting harm experienced anywhere, including within our activities, within other organised community or voluntary activities, in the community, in the person’s own home and in any care setting.
New Jerusalem Gospel Church is committed to best safeguarding practice and to uphold the rights of all adults to live a life free from harm from abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to demonstrate the commitment of New Jerusalem Gospel Church to safeguarding adults and to ensure that everyone involved in New Jerusalem Gospel Churchis is aware of:
The legislation, policy and procedures for safeguarding adults.
Their role and responsibility for safeguarding adults.
What to do or who to speak to if they have a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adult within the organisation.
Scope
This safeguarding adult policy and associated procedures apply to all individuals involved in New Jerusalem Gospel Church including including church leadership members, departments committee members, staff, volunteers, and to all concerns about the safety of adults whilst taking part in our organisation, its activities and in the wider community.
Commitments
In order to implement this policy New Jerusalem Gospel Church will ensure that:
- Everyone involved with New Jerusalem Gospel Church is aware of the safeguarding adult procedures and knows what to do and who to contact if they have a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adult.
- Any concern that an adult is not safe is taken seriously, responded to promptly, and followed up in line with New Jerusalem Gospel Church Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures.
- The well-being of those at risk of harm will be put first and the adult actively supported to communicate their views and the outcomes they want to achieve. Those views and wishes will be respected and supported unless there are overriding reasons to not do so after consultations with all relevant bodies including local safeguarding structures.
- Any actions taken will respect the rights and dignity of all those involved and be proportionate to the risk of harm.
- Confidential, detailed, and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
New Jerusalem Gospel Church acts in accordance with best practice advice, for example from Governing Bodies,National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), Ann Craft Trust. New Jerusalem Gospel Church will cooperate with the Police and the relevant Local Authorities in taking action to safeguard an adult.
All church leadership members, depertments committee members, staff, officials and volunteers understand their role and responsibility for safeguarding adults and have completed and are up to date with safeguarding adult training and learning opportunities appropriate for their role.
New Jerusalem Gospel Church uses safe recruitment practices and continually assesses the suitability of volunteers and staff to prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals in this organisation and within the sporting community.
New Jerusalem Gospel Church shares information about anyone found to be a risk to adults with the appropriate bodies. For example: Disclosure and Barring Service, Services, Police, Local Authority/Social Services.
When planning activities and events New Jerusalem Gospel Church includes an assessment of, and risk to, the safety of all adults from abuse and neglect and designates a person who will be in attendance as a safeguarding lead for that event.
Actions taken under this policy are reviewed by the Board and senior management team on an annual basis.
This policy, related policies (see below) and the Safeguarding Adults Procedures are reviewed no less than on a two-yearly basis and whenever there are changes in relevant legislation and/or government guidance as required by the Local Safeguarding Board, or as a result of any other significant change or event.
II. Children Safeguarding Policy
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to protect children and young people who attend the church or related activities from harm or abuse of any sort.
To protect children who attend the church or related activities, including anyone who has additional needs due to her or his health or disability. To make the principles of our safeguarding policy clear to all volunteers and Trustees.
NJGC’s Child Protection Policy
This policy applies to all staff, including church leadership members, trustees, managers, volunteers and anyone working on behalf of New Jerusalem Gospel Church. External contractors must also have their own safeguarding and child protection policies and associated checks in place.
Principles
Our church is committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people with whom it has contact and their welfare is paramount.
Everyone, regardless of age, gender, disability or ethnic origin has a right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Everyone involved in the care of children and young people has a responsibility for protecting them from harm.
In order to protect everyone from potential and actual abuse it is necessary for all staff and volunteers to have an understanding of safeguarding and child protection and to have appropriate procedures are in place that are shared and understood by all concerned.
It is not the responsibility as members of New Jerusalem Gospel Church safeguarding team to decide whether or not abuse is occurring, but it is their responsibility to act on any concerns.
Objectives
The key objectives of this policy are:
– To explain the responsibilities that xxx Festival and its staff, volunteers, management committee members and trustees have in respect of safeguarding children.To provide a clear process that will be followed when a safeguarding issue arises.
– We seek to keep children and young people safe by valuing them, listening to and respecting them and appointing a designated safeguarding lead.
– Adopting robust child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers.
– Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
– Using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately.
– Ensuring that we have effective complaints procedures in place.
– Ensuring that we provide a safe environment for children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.
Safeguarding Procedure:
– Identifying abuse and what to do if abuse is suspected
– If any member of our church suspects abuse is taking place they should immediately inform the designated safeguarding lead who will decide on the appropriate action to take. A log of the concern must be kept.
– If it is felt that further investigation is required in order to keep a child safe then the matter must be referred to Children’s Social Care. Children’s Social Care may be contacted at any time for advice and consultation.
In the event of a referral to Children’s Social Care all relevant information must be shared, including copies of correspondence, log of previous concerns and notes of any conversations with the child, their family or other staff.
In the event that the designated safeguarding officer is not available or contactable this should not delay action being taken to protect a child. In this case, other members of the safegaurding team can contacted. If no single member of the safeguarding team is available, any member of New Jerusalem Gospel Church may contact Children’s Social Care to raise their concerns.
If you are worried that a child or young person is, or may be, suffering harm you should contact the Sheffield Safeguarding Hub to discuss your concern: Sheffield Safeguarding Hub: 0114 273 4855
If there are any concerns about the immediate safety of a child or young person then the police must be contacted on 999 without delay.
Allegations against staff
Any suspicion that a child or young person has been harmed by a member of staff or a volunteer must be reported to the designated safeguarding lead, who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk.
The designated safeguarding officer will refer the allegation to Children’s Social Care. Children’s Social Care and the designated safeguarding lead will liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) whose responsibility is to: Provide advice and guidance;
Liaise with the police and other agencies;
Provide assistance in discussions regarding suspension and referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The LADO in Sheffield is available for advice and can be contacted on: LADO – 0114 2734850
Details of all safeguarding concerns, including actions taken, should be recorded as soon as possible after the event. all records must be kept securely and confidentially in an agreed place. Records must be accurate and clearly written with a legible name, date and signature.
Trustee/Senior lead for safeguarding and child protection
Name: Pastor Justin Ruvimba
Tel: 07465784975 or 07459772819
Phone/email: lovedisciples2022@gmail.com