Kids are safe here

Managing Trustees’ Safeguarding Statement (Revised July 2022)
 
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. As Managing Trustees of Albert Road Evangelical Church, we have therefore put together a Safeguarding Policy to assist us in all our work with children (including young people up to 18 years of age) and adults-at-risk of harm. Below is a summary, which is published on our website and displayed within the premises for everyone to see.

We are committed to the safeguarding of all children and adults-at-risk of harm entrusted to our care. Therefore, we will:
  • Implement the requirements of UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and adults-at-risk, following national good practice recommendations, and keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding;
  • Adopt and follow the ten ‘Safe and Secure’ safeguarding standards published by ThirtyOne:Eight (our safeguarding advisors), as well as any further advice we receive from them or Rural Ministries (the network of churches we belong to);
  • Exercise proper care when appointing people to work with children and adults-at-risk in our Church - resourcing, training, and supervising them, and making sure we all adhere to the agreed procedures of our Safeguarding Policy;
  • Support our appointed Safeguarding Coordinators, to enable the whole Church to abide by the guidelines and procedures in this policy, and to take any action they may need to in order to protect children and adults-at-risk;
  • Respond to any person with whom we are in contact affected by abuse, as well as support parents, families, and carers within the Church to prevent harm.
  • Report concerns regarding abuse whenever they arise, but not investigate, leaving this to Children’s Social Services, Adult Social Care, and the Police.

If you are concerned that any child or adult is at risk of harm, speak to one of Safeguarding Coordinators:

                  Safeguarding Officer - vacant
                  Mrs Rebekah Lachowicz (Deputy Safeguarding Officer)          

A copy of the full policy is available on request. It has been lodged with ThirtyOne:Eight and our Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB). We will review this statement and our policy annually.
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