Church Safeguarding Policy

Church Details

Salford Elim Church, Moorfield Rd, Salford, M6 7EY (named hereafter ‘the church’)

0161 736 3888

Part of the Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance, charity number 251549

Mission Statement

The church leadership (named hereafter as CL) recognises the importance of its ministry to children and young people and its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people entrusted to the church’s care.

As part of its mission, the church is committed to:

Valuing, listening to and respecting children and young people as well as promoting their welfare and protection.
Safe recruitment, supervision and training for all the children’s/youth workers within our church.
Adopting a procedure for dealing with concerns about possible abuse.
Encouraging and supporting parents/carers.
Supporting those affected by abuse in the church.
Maintaining good links with the statutory childcare authorities and other organisations.

Church Policy

The CL recognises the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children and young people. It also acknowledges that children and young people can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. The CL has therefore adopted the procedures set out in this document (named hereafter ‘the policy’). It also recognises the need to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary child protection agencies. The policy and attached practice guidelines are based on a model published by Churches Child Protection Advisory Service.

The CL is committed to ongoing child protection training for all children/youth workers and will regularly review the guidelines attached.

The CL also undertakes to follow the principles found within the Abuse of Trust guidance by the Home Office and it is therefore unacceptable for those in a position of trust to engage in any behaviour which might allow a sexual relationship to develop for as long as the relationship of trust continues.

Responding To Allegations of Abuse

Under no circumstances should a church worker carry out their own investigation into the allegation or suspicion of abuse. The person in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse will do the following:

Concerns must be reported to Mary Causer (name hereafter ‘the co-ordinator), telephone number 07974653813, who is nominated to act in dealing with allegation or suspicion of abuse, including referring the matter on to the statutory authorities.
The co-ordinator may also be required by the conditions of the Church Insurance Policy to immediately inform the insurance company.
In the absence of the co-ordinator or if the suspicions in any way involve the co-ordinator, then the report should be made to Ruth Wills, (hereafter named the ‘deputy co-ordinator’), telephone number 07990593623.
If the suspicions implicate both the co-ordinator and the deputy co-ordinator, then the report should be made in the first instance to the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service, PO BOX 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ. Telephone 0845 120 4550 or contact Children’s Social Services. The local Children’s Social Services telephone number is 0161-794 4711 (Monday to Friday, 9 to 5) or 0161-794 8888 for out of hours or emergencies. The police Child Protection number is 0161-856-5126.
Suspicions should not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above. A written record of the concerns must be made in accordance with the church procedures and kept in a safe place.
Whilst allegations and suspicions of abuse will normally be reported to the co-ordinator, the absence of the co-ordinator or the deputy co-ordinator should not delay referral to the Children’s Social Services Department.
Information with the CL will be shared on a need to know basis.
The role of the co-ordinator/deputy co-ordinator is to collate and clarify the precise details of the allegation or suspicion and pass this information to the Children’s Social Services Department. It is the task of the Social Services to investigate the matter under section 47 of the Children Act 1989.

Allegations Of Physical Injury And Neglect

If a child has a physical injury or symptom of neglect, the co-ordinator/deputy co-ordinator will:

Contact Social Services or CCPAS for advice in cases of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child’s safety or if a child is afraid to return home.
Will not tell parents or carers unless advised to having contacted Children’s Social Services.
Seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor or any suspicions.
For lesser concerns (e.g. poor parenting, encourage the parent/carer to seek help, but not if this places the child at risk of injury.
Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them. In cases of real concern, contact Children’s Social Services for advice.
Seek and follow advice given by CCPAS who will confirm their advice in writing, if unsure whether to contact Children’s Social Services for advice.

Allegations Of Sexual Abuse

In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the co-ordinator/deputy co-ordinator will:

Contact the Children’s Social Services Department Duty Social Worker or Police Child Protection worker and NOT speak to the parent/carer or anyone else.
Seek and follow advice given by CCPAS who will confirm their advice in writing, if unsure whether to contact Children’s Social Services for advice.

Appointments, Support, Supervision And Training Of Leaders And Workers

The CL will ensure all workers will be appointed, trained, supported and supervised in accordance with the principles set out in the government guidelines ‘Safe from Harm’ (HMSO 1993), CCPAS guidance and church practice guidelines attached. The ‘recruiter’ for CRB checking is Jemma Maslen. The same principles will be applied to those appointed to work with vulnerable adults.

Supervision Of Group/Children’s Activities

The CL will provide details of the supervision for each specific activity in the church practice guidelines attached.

Support To Those Affected By Abuse

The CL is committed to offering pastoral care, working with statutory agencies as appropriate and to support those attending the church that have been affected by abuse.

Working With Offenders

When someone attending the church is known to have abused children, the CL will supervise the individual concerned and offer pastoral care but in its commitment to the protection of children, set boundaries for that person which they will be expected to keep.