Safeguarding Policy

 

Introduction

Kingdom Come Temple acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice

requirements.

Every child, young person or adult can be hurt, put at risk of harm or abused. The actions we must take to promote their welfare, and protect them from harm, are the responsibility of us all. Everyone who comes into

contact with children or adults has a role to play. The purpose of this policy is to set out the expectation placed on those volunteering at Kingdom Come Temple. This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children and vulnerable adults. It applies to Kingdom Come Temple as we provide activities for children, young people or vulnerable adults. Definitions of terms

 

•  Abuse – the violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons. This includes physical abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, financial or material abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or acts of omission.​

• Child – anyone under the age of 14 years.​

• Young person – any individual aged 14 – 17 years old.

• Adult at risk, or vulnerable adult, is defined as ‘a person aged 18 or over whose ability to protect himself or herself from violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation is significantly impaired through physical or mental disability or illness, old age, emotional fragility or distress’.

• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children – refers to the process of protecting children from maltreatment,

• preventing the impairment of health or development, ensuring circumstances consistent with the provision and effective care to enable all children to have the best outcome

• Child protection – refers to the processes undertaken to protect children who have been identified as suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm.

• Staff – refers to all those working for or on behalf of The House of Bread, full-time or part-time, temporary or

  permanent, in either a paid or voluntary capacity. Statement of commitment As part of our safeguarding policy Kingdom Come Temple will:

• Safely support volunteers, especially those with any responsibility related to children, young people and

  vulnerable adults;

• Promote and prioritise the safety and well-being of children, young people and adults at risk;

•  Ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children, young people and adults at risk;

• Only allow those who have received appropriate safeguarding training to offer one to one emotional support of church members;

• Where possible give individual support by two people;

• Undertake any such support in a suitably accessible room but preferably in a public open space;

• Ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the

  individual/s who raise or disclose the concern;

• Ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored;

• Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation;