Safeguarding
SECTION 1 - Details of the Church
Name of Church
Infinity Church
Contact Details
Mailing Address: Infinity Church 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE
Email address: connect@infinity-church.com
Charity details
Charity Name: Infinity Church
Charity Number: 1209677
Insurance
Public Liability Cover (Including Employers Liability Insurance):
Green Insurance Brokers, 10 London Rd, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex TN39 3JU 01323 737541
Church Contents Insurance:
ANSVER Insurance, ANSVER House, St Leonards Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 3UR
The following is a brief description of Infinity Church and the type of work / activities we undertake with children and adults who have additional care and support needs:
A Local Church with a Global Reach. A Global Church with a Local Impact.
For Children:
‘Treehouse' is our Children's Ministry for ages 2 to 11 years. We believe that children should grow in their faith in Jesus from the very beginning of their lives, and we're committed to teaching them to love and enjoy God and His Word, within a fun and creative environment. ‘Treehouse’ takes place during the service on a Sunday and then once a term we have ‘Kids Explore' events to further unpack topics in a creative way, such as Easter and Christmas.
For Youth:
‘NXT GEN’ is our Youth Ministry for ages 12 -18 years. We believe that giving youth a purpose and passion in Jesus Christ is the best influence for them and to be around other teens that love the Lord and want to make a difference.
For Adults:
We want to create opportunities for people in the church to gather together often for various activities to see their lives changed forever by being part of a connected community through the local church.
Our commitment
Infinity Church takes safeguarding children and adults in need of additional care and support very seriously. This commitment is demonstrated through the following guiding principles:
We consider that the welfare of children and adults in need of additional care and support is paramount. We acknowledge any person's right to protection from abuse, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs.
No child or group of children must be treated any less favourably than others in being able to access services which meet their particular needs.
We will follow legislation, statutory guidance and recognised good practice in order to protect children and adults in our church and activities.
We will seek to establish a safe and caring environment in which there is an informed vigilance about the dangers of abuse. We will endeavour to make sure that both children and adults with additional care and support needs that we have contact with feel able to tell us if they are suffering harm.
We will organise activities in such a way as to promote a safe environment and minimise the risk of harm to children and adults.
We will implement, maintain and regularly review the procedures outlined in this policy, annually or when the legislation changes, which are designed to prevent and to be alert to abuse. ∙ We will appoint a Safeguarding Coordinator and Deputy, who will have specific responsibilities for safeguarding. Although we recognise that safeguarding is a whole church responsibility, the Safeguarding Coordinator or Deputy is the person to whom all concerns or allegations should be addressed.
We will support the safeguarding coordinator/s in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children/adults with additional care and support needs.
We will follow a safer recruitment process for the selection and appointment of people to work with children or adults at risk, whether voluntary or paid.
We are committed to providing support, supervision, resources and training to those who work with children and adults.
We will use rigorous and careful supervision to protect people from the risks associated with known offenders within the congregation, including implementing contracts with known offenders and those who have been assessed as posing a risk.
We believe all adults should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life in the church unless they pose a risk to the safety of those we serve.
We believe that abuse in all its forms is unacceptable and inconsistent with a Christian way of living and recognise that it can affect both adults and children. All concerns and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously by trustees, staff and volunteers and responded to appropriately, this may require a referral to children’s or adult social care services, the Designated Officer (formerly Local Authority Designated Officer) for allegations against staff, trustees and other volunteers, and in emergencies, the police.
We will cooperate with the statutory authorities in any investigation, will follow multi-agency decisions and will maintain confidentiality of any investigations to those directly involved.
We will review this statement and our policy and procedures annually. If you have any concerns for a child or adult with additional care and support needs then speak to one of the following who have been approved as safeguarding coordinators:
Fiona Crossman - Child & Adult Safeguarding Coordinator
A copy of the full policy and procedures is available from the Safeguarding Co-ordinator.
The Role of the Safeguarding coordinator
To ensure that safe recruitment & training occurs.
To process DBS’ certificates
To respond to allegations or suspicions of abuse and, where necessary, report these to the appropriate agencies
To review and update policies in line with legislation
To create good practice guidelines and ensure that there is a culture of taking safeguarding seriously within the church
To offer support to those working with children
To be aware of any communications between leaders and children/young people in the church and ensure that contact is managed appropriately
Promote a safe environment and healthy relationships, whilst minimising opportunities for harm, misunderstanding or false accusation
To carry out risk assessments, and ensure that consent forms & appropriate records are completed
SECTION 2 - Definitions
Additional needs: is a term most often applied to children who require support beyond what we would usually expect to provide to a child of that age or developments stage.
Adult: a person who is at least 18 years of age
Adult at risk of abuse / in need of protection: refers to adults who have care and support needs, are at risk of abuse, and due to their support needs are unable to protect themselves from the abuse.
Adult with care and / or support needs: refers to an adult who requires help with day-to-day tasks that most people would be able to perform for themselves.
Child: A child is a person who has not yet attained their 18th birthday which aligns with the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child. In Scotland, the position is slightly more complex as Scottish law also recognises an age of “Legal Capacity” which is 1. Unborn children are included within the scope of Child Protection.
Child in Need: Similar to targeted safeguarding, this refers to care and support that is offered to a child or family with more complex needs such that if effective support is not provided, the child is unlikely to achieve or maintain a satisfactory level of health, development, or wellbeing.
Child Protection: refers to safeguarding activity that has met the statutory threshold for referral to the Police or Social Care and involves the prevention of, or response to “significant harm”.
Leader(s): refers to those appointed by the church to that office to support the Senior Leaders and serve the church (both by leading teams and in practical matters).
Senior Leaders: refers to those appointed by the church to that office to provide spiritual leadership and instruction. The Senior Leaders have the spiritual authority within the church.
Officers: refers to all those who hold formal office in the church including Departmental Leaders, Senior Leaders, and Trustees.
Regulated activity: refers to activity that a barred person must not do. In simple terms, it is activity that requires a DBS check.
Safeguarding arrangements: is used in this policy, procedures and related documents as a generic term that includes all aspects of the church’s approach to safeguarding, including matters related to policy, process, culture, and practice.
Single Central Record: is the master record of all pre-appointment checks and processes that were completed prior to appointment to a role.
Spectrum of safeguarding: is the whole range of safeguarding activities that includes universal safeguarding, consent-based care, and support (i.e., support that falls below the statutory threshold), and the statutory responsibility to protect children, young people, and adults at risk of abuse from significant harm.
Staff: refers to any paid employee or office holder.
Statutory threshold: the point at which the church has a duty to report a concern to report a matter to one of the statutory bodies such as the Police, Social Care, or the Charity Commission.
Sub-threshold (or consent based) safeguarding: matters or concerns which do not meet the criteria for referral to statutory authorities. These issues may still be serious and require a response from the church, however, internal processes will be followed.
Targeted Safeguarding: care or support that is offered to a child or their family on the basis of consent to prevent harm and promote wellbeing where there is a risk of poor outcomes form the individual if their support needs are not met.
Trustee(s) refers to those who are legally responsible for the governance and oversight of the charity.
Universal safeguarding: activity that is required to keep everyone safe. This includes those who have no additional needs and includes the interface with other aspects of safety such as Health and Safety and employer responsibilities.
Volunteer(s): refers to anyone who is appointed by the church to a role or who performs identified tasks on behalf of the church for which they receive no payment (other than out-of-pocket expenses that are appropriately authorised).
Vulnerable people: is a generic term that can be used to mean different things and so care is needed. In the context of this policy, the term is used in a generic sense to include anyone who has a support or care need or whose ability to protect themselves against abuse is limited. This includes children, young people, adults with support needs and adults at risk of abuse. It also includes those who, due to specific individual circumstances find themselves, either for a short time or over a more extended time, requiring additional care, support, or protection, but who would not otherwise be regarded as needing support.
SECTION 3 - Recognising and responding appropriately to an allegation or suspicion of abuse
Understanding abuse and neglect
Defining child abuse or abuse against an adult is a difficult and complex issue. A person may abuse or neglect someone by inflicting harm, or failing to prevent harm. Abuse may occur within a family, an institution, a community setting or online. Very often the abuser is known or in a trusted relationship with the child or adult.
Definitions of Child & Adult Abuse can be found in the Appendixes at the end of this document. For Children: Appendix 1 – Definitions of abuse, Appendix 2 – Signs of possible abuse. For Adults: Appendix 3 – Definitions of abuse, Appendix 4- Signs of possible abuse.
Spiritual Abuse
The category spiritual abuse has not currently been recognised in legislation, but churches need to have an awareness to respond appropriately and in serious cases it may fall under other categories of abuse identified in legislation.
Spiritual abuse includes:
Misuse of authority of leadership
Censorship of decision making
Penitential discipline
Manipulation
Oppressive teaching
Control through misuse and abuse of scripture
Pressure to conform
Enforced accountability
Intrusive healing and deliverance ministries
Denying children or adults the right to faith or opportunity to grow in the knowledge of God.
Any of these could result in children or adults experiencing physical, emotional or sexual harm. If such inappropriate behaviour becomes harmful, it should be referred for investigation in cooperation with the appropriate statutory agencies. Careful teaching, supervision and mentoring of those entrusted with pastoral care should help to prevent harm occurring in this way.
How to respond to a child or adult wishing to disclose abuse
Ensure the physical environment is welcoming, giving opportunity for the child or adult at risk to talk in private but making sure others are aware the conversation is taking place.
It is especially important to allow time and space for the person to talk
Above everything else listen without interrupting
Be attentive and look at them whilst they are speaking
Show acceptance of what they say (however unlikely the story may sound) by reflecting back words or short phrases they have used
Do not investigate or ask leading questions
Try to remain calm, even if on the inside you are feeling something different ∙ Be honest and don’t make promises you can’t keep regarding confidentiality ('Private but not a secret')
If they decide not to tell you after all, accept their decision but let them know that you are always ready to listen
Use language that is age appropriate and, for those with disabilities, ensure there is someone available who understands
Helpful Responses
You have done the right thing in telling
I am glad you have told me
I will try to help you
Avoid Saying
Why didn't you tell anyone before?
I can't believe it!
Are you sure this is true?
Why? How? When? Who? Where? What?
I am shocked, don't tell anyone else
Responding to allegations of abuse
Under no circumstances should a worker carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse. Do not tell the parents or carer at this time of the disclosure as this could potentially put the child at further risk whilst further action is necessary.
Depending on the circumstances, the following people should be contacted: Safeguarding Coordinator, Safeguarding Deputy, Children/Adult Social Services, Police, Emergency services/Doctor (if Medical assistance is needed), thirtyone:eight (formerly CCPAS). For allegations against workers: the Local Safeguarding Board and Designated Officer
Following procedures as below:
Allegations, concerns or suspicions of abuse should be reported as soon as possible to the Safeguarding Coordinator. The person reporting the incident should complete a written record of the concerns, allegation, disclosure or incident (using the form in Appendix 5), which will then be given to the Safeguarding coordinator and stored securely in a locked filing cabinet. In their absence or if the suspicions involve the Safeguarding Coordinator, concerns should be reported to the Deputy Coordinator
Fiona Crossman: Tel no: 07862 220857 / thecrossies@gmail.com
Suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above.
Where the concern is about a child the Safeguarding Coordinator should contact Children’s Social Services.
Children’s Social Services (known as the children's Single Point of Access team or SPA) Office telephone number (Office hours Mon-Fri 8am-6pm): 020 8547 5008
Out of hour’s emergency number: 020 8770 5000.
Where the concern is regarding an adult in need of protection contact Adult Social Services. Adult Social Services (known as the Access and Safeguarding team)
Office telephone number: 020 8547 5005.
Out of hours emergency number is 020 8770 5000.
Police can be contacted in an emergency on 999 or to get hold of the Police Protection Team call 101 and ask them to refer you.
The Safeguarding Coordinator may need to inform others depending on the circumstances and/or nature of the concern (i.e. Chair of Trustees/Insurance Company/Charity Commission/Designated Officer if the incident/allegations are about a person who has a role with under 18's elsewhere)
In the absence of, or if suspicions implicate the Safeguarding Coordinator/Deputy, the report should be made in the first instance to the thirtyone:eight (formerly CCPAS), PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ. Tel: 0845 120 4550. Alternatively contact Social Services or the Police.
It is, of course, the right of any individual as a citizen to make a direct referral to the safeguarding agencies or seek advice from thirtyone:eight, if the individual with the concern feels that the Safeguarding Coordinator/Deputy has not responded appropriately they are free to contact an outside agency direct as the most important thing is having effective safeguarding and the protection of all those who are vulnerable.
The role of the safeguarding coordinator/ deputy is to collate and clarify the precise details of the allegation or suspicion and pass this information on to statutory agencies who have a legal duty to investigate.
Detailed procedures where there is a concern about a child:
Allegations of physical injury, neglect or emotional abuse.
The Safeguarding Coordinator/Deputy will:
Seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor of any suspicions.
Contact Thirtyoneeight Safeguarding helpline on 0303 003 1111 (https://thirtyoneeight.org/help-and-resources/safeguarding-helpline/) for advice in cases of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child's safety or if a child is afraid to return home.
Not tell the parents or carers unless advised to do so by Children’s Social Services.
For lesser concerns, (e.g. poor parenting), encourage parent/carer to seek help, but not if this places the child at risk of significant harm.
Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them. In cases of real concern, if they still fail to act, contact Children’s Social Services directly for advice.
Allegations of sexual abuse
In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the Safeguarding Coordinator/Deputy will:
Contact the Children’s Social Services Department Duty Social Worker for children and families or Police Child Protection Team directly. They will NOT speak to the parent/carer or anyone else.
Seek and follow the advice given by thirtyone:eight, if, for any reason they are unsure whether or not to contact Children’s Social Services/Police. thirtyone:eight will confirm its advice in writing for future reference.
If the incident has occurred online, file a report via the CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection command) https://www.ceop.police.uk/
Detailed procedures where there is a concern that an adult is in need of protection: (as detailed in Appendix 3 & 4)
If there is concern about any form of abuse, the Safeguarding Coordinator/Deputy will:
Contact the Adult Social Care Team who have responsibility under the Care Act 2014 to investigate allegations of abuse. Alternatively thirtyone:eight, can be contacted for advice.
If the adult is in immediate danger or has sustained a serious injury contact the Emergency Services, informing them of any suspicions.
If there is a concern regarding spiritual abuse, Safeguarding Coordinator will:
Identify support services for the victim i.e. counselling or other pastoral support
Contact thirtyone:eight and in discussion with them will consider appropriate action with regards to the scale of the concern.
Allegations of abuse against a person who works with children/young people:
If an accusation is made against a worker (whether volunteer/staff), the Safeguarding Coordinator, in accordance with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) will need to liaise with Children’s Social Services in regards to the suspension of the worker, and make a referral to a Designated
Officer (formerly called a Local Authority Designated Officer or LADO)
Kingston Safeguarding Children's Board: 0208 831 6323 lscb-support@achievingforchildren.org.uk Contact the Designated Officer via Children's Social Services (Kingston SPA team contacts listed above)
Following this consideration should be given to whether a referral should be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Allegations of abuse against a person who works with adults with additional care and support needs:
The Care Act places the duty upon Adult Social Services to investigate situations of harm to adults with additional care and support needs and decide what action is needed.
SECTION 4 - Prevention
Safer recruitment
The Leadership will ensure all workers will be appointed, trained, supported and supervised in accordance with government guidance on safe recruitment. This includes ensuring that:
The volunteer is aware of what the role involves. Has been fully briefed on the responsibility they have both spiritually and regarding the safety and wellbeing of the children in their care. ∙ A disclosure and barring check has been completed where necessary (we will comply with Code of Practice requirements concerning the fair treatment of applicants and the handling of information)
Each new volunteer will have a probationary period of 3 Sundays. The 1st session they will observe, the 2nd and 3rd session they will lead with supervision.
Following completion of the probationary period they will be paired up with another leader and added into the rota.
A suitable training programme is provided.
The applicant will be made aware of the contents of our safeguarding policy and knows how to report concerns. They will also receive a Leader’s Guide.
The volunteer will complete a short form stating why they would like to work with children and fill out the confidential declaration if there is any reason they should not work with children or adults.
Safeguarding awareness
The Leadership is committed to on-going safeguarding training and development opportunities for all workers, developing a culture of awareness of safeguarding issues to help protect everyone. All our workers will receive induction training and undertake recognised safeguarding training on a regular basis through membership in the Safeguarding Website https://thirtyoneeight.org/ Training and in-house group training on an annual basis (or when any updates are necessary).
Management of Workers – Codes of Conduct
As a Leadership we are committed to supporting all workers and ensuring they receive support and supervision. All workers have been issued with a code of conduct towards children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs.
Do treat all people with dignity and respect
Don't abuse the power and responsibility of your role. Don’t belittle, scapegoat, put down, or ridicule a child or young person (even in 'fun') and don't use language or behaviour with sexual connotations (e.g. flirting or innuendo)
Do act inclusively, seeking to make everyone feel welcome and valued
Don't exclude other children or workers from conversations and activities unless there is a good reason
Do treat people with equal care and concern
Don't show favouritism (e.g. in selection for activities, in giving rewards, etc.) or encourage excessive attention from a particular child (e.g. gifts)
Do encourage everyone to follow any behaviour agreement or ground rules and apply sanctions consistently
Don't threaten or use sanctions which have not been agreed, or make empty threats ∙ Do refer to a more senior worker if a child does not respond to your instructions despite encouragement and warning of possible consequences
Don’t feel you have to deal with every problem on your own
Do seek to diffuse aggressive or threatening behaviour without the use of physical contact ∙ Don't use physical restraint except as a last resort to prevent injury. This should use minimum force
Do relate to children in public. If a child wants to talk one-to-one about an issue, tell another worker and find somewhere quieter, but still public, to talk
Don't spend time alone with children out of sight of other people
Do use physical contact wisely; it should be:
In public
Appropriate to the situation and to the age, gender and culture of the child 3. In response to the needs of the child, not the adult
Respectful of the child's privacy, feelings and dignity
Don't use physical contact which could be misconstrued as aggressive or sexual (e.g. in games) ∙ Do respect children's privacy
Don't assume that children should tell you anything you ask just because you are a worker ∙ Do respect the right of children to wash, change and use the toilet in private
Do listen to children and tell the Church Safeguarding Officer if you have any concerns about a child's welfare
Don't promise to keep something secret if it is about a child being harmed or at risk of harm, but only tell those who need to know
Do respect and promote the rights of children to make their own decisions and choices
Don’t work in ways that put your needs and interests before those of the children you work with
Do encourage respect for difference, diversity, beliefs and culture
Don’t discriminate or leave discrimination or bullying unchallenged
SECTION 5 - Pastoral Care
Supporting those affected by abuse
As a church, we are committed to caring for those who have experienced abuse. We recognise it is important that those who have experienced abuse:
Are accepted for who they are, without being made to forgive or being put into a position of feeling guilty and responsible for what happened to them.
Know that God loves them unconditionally, and that nothing can or will change this truth.
Can be confident that those in the church community who know about the abuse are with them on their journey – no matter how long or difficult that journey may be.
We are committed to offering pastoral care, working with statutory agencies as appropriate, and offering support to all those who have been affected by abuse who have contact with or are part of the Church.
The church will ensure that our safeguarding coordinator will be responsible for liaising with the authorities while support is offered to the victim/s and their family. If appropriate, pastoral care will also be offered to the alleged perpetrator, without compromising the alleged victims or their families. Where a statutory investigation is underway, this support will be provided with the knowledge and alongside the advice of the statutory agencies involved. It may also be necessary to appoint other people to support the families involved.
Where the perpetrator accepts some responsibility, they will be encouraged to seek specialised interventions/treatment to reduce the risk of re-offending, depending on the severity of the situation. This may only be appropriate once the investigation and legal processes have been completed.
Working with offenders
When someone attends the Church and is known to have abused children, or is known to be a risk to adults with additional care and support needs the Leadership will supervise the individual concerned and offer pastoral care. In our safeguarding commitment to the protection of children and adults with additional care and support needs, we will set boundaries for that person, to safeguard them as well as the children.
We will draw up a contract which will give details of the boundaries we expect the individual to keep and which will detail how we will support them. Any action taken will be in consultation with any agencies involved in the person's rehabilitation and in line with our risk assessments.
SECTION 6 - Practice Guidelines
As a Church working with children, young people and adults with additional care and support needs we wish to operate and promote good working practice. This will enable workers to run activities safely, develop good relationships and minimise the risk of false or unfounded accusations.
Where an activity is being run in our regular meeting place or at a different location Infinity Church should be in receipt of a signed consent form for each child.
Parental Consent and medical forms for all children who attend regularly
A Visitor's Form for families who are just visiting but under our care
A separate consent form for when children or young people are being solely supervised by our staff or volunteers off site (i.e., off site social activities, weekend away etc.)
Discipline Guidelines for Volunteers and Staff
Never hit or smack a child and don't shout at them in anger.
Lay good ground rules when leading a group or activity that explain your expectations of respectful, safe interactions. Include what they can expect from you.
Challenge bad language, racism, name-calling, bullying, and respect for other people's property/bodies/ space.
Do not compare a child, young person or adult with another in the group; rather encourage and affirm and, if possible, give them responsibility for appropriate tasks.
Build healthy relationships and be a good role model by setting an example. You can't expect others to observe the ground rules if you break them yourself.
Take care to give the quieter and/or well behaved attention and resist allowing the demanding individuals to take all your time and energy.
Be consistent in what you say and ensure that other team members know what you have said. This avoids manipulation.
Return a child to their parent if they are unable or unwilling to respond to your correction
Call on support from other leaders if you feel you may deal with the situation unwisely.
Every person is unique and will respond in different ways to different forms of discipline. Therefore each child should be dealt with on an individual basis.
If children & young people are bored they often misbehave, so review your programme regularly.
For those who are continuously disruptive
Have them sit right in front of you or get a helper to sit next to them.
Encourage helpers to be proactive rather than waiting to be told to deal with a situation. ∙ Challenge them to change their behaviour whilst encouraging their strengths.
Warn them you may speak to their parents/carers about their behaviour, they may be sent
outside the room (under supervision), or be excluded from attending the group for a period of time.
Safety guidelines
∙ Ensure the group stays together at the beginning and end of each session when climbing the stairs (Never use lifts)
∙ Encourage going to the toilet before the teaching time. This ensures the time is not interrupted and reduces the possibility of accusation. A child's privacy should be respected when visiting the toilet. Age appropriate independence should be encouraged at all times.
∙ Ensure that at the end of the service everyone goes down together. This ensures a child will not be left in the room alone with the teacher.
∙ Be aware of risk assessments so that risks can be minimised and know the fire evacuation information.
External Communications Policy
Regarding children under 11, workers and volunteers will not have any contact via electronic devices.
Policy Guidelines for any communications with children aged 11 and above
Maintain good and open relationships with parents and carers regarding communication with them and their children.
Parental consent should be obtained in written form.
If a child initiates contact (and we haven’t yet received parental consent) seek to obtain parental consent as soon as possible.
Communicating with children will probably involve having data on them (i.e. mobile, e-mail) make sure you are familiar with the data protection policy and handle their data accordingly.
Inform the safeguarding coordinator of any communications. i.e. who is connecting with a child/ young person and for what purpose.
Use an appropriate tone: friendly, but not over-familiar or personal and do not suggest or offer a special relationship.
Be clear and don’t abbreviate or short-cut your communications.
Be wary of being drawn into relentless dialogue. If the conversation goes on for an extended period, agree to follow it up in person instead.
Be circumspect in your communications with children to avoid any possible misinterpretation of your motives or any behaviour which could be construed as grooming.
Do not share or request any personal information.
Respect a child’s right to confidentiality unless abuse/harm is suspected or disclosed.
If possible, communications should be made in person.
Only make contact with children for reasons related to the work of the church and maintain a log of all electronic contact with individuals or groups including messaging, texting and email.
Do not communicate with a young person you haven’t met unless you are responding to an enquiry regarding Church events.
Email should only be used to communicate specific information. (e.g. times and dates of events). It should not be used as a relationship building tool.
As a general rule (allowing for late finishing events, youth camps etc.), there should be no external contact after 2130 hrs.
Never use a webcam or send or receive video phone calls.
Social Media Policy
All users of social media must be above the minimum age limit i.e. 13 for Facebook and Whatsapp. Don’t accept any requests from underage users.
Snapchat is not a usable platform as it does not keep a record of interactions.
Do not initiate contact on social media platforms. Let them initiate contact if they wish to.
Don’t feel obliged to accept anyone to your personal account.
All interactions on social media (with individuals or via groups) shall be recorded for safeguarding purposes.
The safeguarding coordinator must be informed of any new accounts, pages or groups set up to ensure that they are appropriate and in line with good practice guidelines.
Any safeguarding concerns/allegations arising from social media shall be referred onto the safeguarding coordinator.
Make sure that anything you post or interact with is age appropriate. Your account is no longer a personal account when connecting with children/youth from the church.
Meeting Face to Face
Sometimes it will be necessary to meet with a young person face to face, particularly for pastoral care.
Inform the safeguarding coordinator of any meetings being held with young people. Ideally parents should be made aware as well (unless the young person requests a confidential discussion)
If possible meet in a public place with other people around e.g. a coffee shop (meeting elsewhere may carry implications. Discuss this with the safeguarding coordinator)
Leaders should avoid meeting alone with young people of the opposite sex (or ensure that there are two leaders present.)
Photographic policy
Permission will be sought before any images are taken or displayed.
Images will only be used for the specific purpose for which permission was sought.
Images will be stored securely and safely, or else destroyed.
If the intention is to use an image on the internet this must be clearly stated. Further permission must be acquired if an image is to be used in a way not originally stated.
Photographs that include children will be selected carefully and will endeavour to prevent children from being easily identified.
Children’s full names will not be used in association with their photographs.
Live streaming of events must be clearly advertised in advance and where children are involved permission should be sought in line with the photographic guidelines.
Working in Partnership
The diversity of organisations and settings means there can be great variation in practice when it comes to safeguarding children, young people and adults. When in partnership with other organisations, we will discuss our safeguarding expectations and have a partnership agreement for safeguarding.
We hereby adopt this policy and commit to uphold it as of:
25th February 2025
APPENDIX – 1
Definitions of Abuse for Children
(Definitions for England as taken from 'Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018')
What is abuse and neglect?
Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by others. Abuse can take place wholly online, or technology may be used to facilitate offline abuse. Children may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse. Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
Neglect
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:
provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment)
protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger
ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers)
ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment
It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
APPENDIX – 2
Signs of Possible Abuse in Children
Physical Abuse signs include:
Physical Signs
Unexplained injuries
Injuries that are inconsistent with the explanation
Injuries that reflect an article being used e.g. an iron
Bruising, especially the trunk, upper arm, shoulders, neck or finger tip bruising
Burns/scalds, especially from a cigarette
Human bite marks
Fractures, especially spiral
Swelling and lack of normal use of limbs
Serious injury with lack of / inconsistent explanation
Untreated injuries
Factitious Illness by Proxy
This is a psychiatric illness, whereby a parent or carer deliberately inflicts harm onto a child, normally the child’s mother. The child has commonly had genuine serious illness in the first year of life and a dependency on medical attention has developed in the mother. It is very difficult to diagnose/evidence.
Psychological/emotional signs
Unusually fearful with adults
Unnaturally compliant to parents
Refusal to discuss injuries/fear of medical help
Withdrawal from physical contact
Aggression towards others
Wears cover up clothing
Emotional Abuse
The classic description of emotional abuse is a “Low Warmth, High Criticism” style of parenting.
Signs include:
Physical, mental and emotional lags
Acceptance of punishments, which appear excessive
Over reaction to mistakes
Continual self-depreciation
Sudden speech disorders
Fear of new situations
Neurotic behaviour (such as rocking, hair twisting, thumb sucking)
Self-harm
Extremes of passivity or aggression
Drug/solvent abuse
Running away
Bullying/Aggression
Overly compliant behaviour
Overeating or loss of appetite
Clingy
Fearful/withdrawn
Sleep disorders
Neglect Signs Include:
Physical Signs:
Tired/listless
Poor personal hygiene
Poor state of clothing
Emaciation, potbelly, short stature
Poor skin tone and hair tone
Untreated medical problems
Failure to thrive with no medical reason
Psychological/Emotional Signs:
Constant hunger
Constant tiredness
Frequent lateness/non attendance at school
Low self esteem
Neurotic behaviour
No social relationships
Running away
Compulsive stealing/scavenging
Multiple accidents/accidental injuries
Sexual Abuse Signs Include:
Physical Signs:
Damage to genitalia, anus or mouth
Sexually transmitted disease
Unexpected pregnancy, especially in very young girls
Soreness to genitalia area, anus or mouth
Repeated stomach aches
Loss of weight
Gaining weight
Unexplained recurrent urinary tract infections, discharges or abdominal pain ∙ Unexplained gifts/money
Psychological/emotional signs:
Sexual knowledge inappropriate for the child’s age
Sexualized behaviour in young children
Sexually provocative behaviour/promiscuity
Hinting at sexual activity
Sudden changes in personality
Lack of concentration, restlessness
Socially withdrawn
Overly compliant behaviour
Poor trust in significant adults
Regressive behaviour, onset of wetting – day or night
Suicide attempts, self-mutilation, self-disgust
Eating disorders
APPENDIX – 3
Definitions of Abuse in Adults
Physical abuse
Includes assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.
Domestic violence
Includes psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse; so called ‘honour’ based violence.
Sexual abuse
Includes rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.
Emotional/Psychological abuse
Includes emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.
Financial or material abuse
Includes theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
Modern slavery
Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.
Discriminatory abuse
Includes forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment; because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Organisational abuse
Includes neglect and poor care practice within an Institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.
Neglect and acts of omission
Includes ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
Self-neglect
This covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding. Incidents of abuse may be one-off or multiple, and affect one person or more.
APPENDIX – 4
Signs of Possible Abuse in Adults
Incidents of abuse may be one-off or multiple, and affect one person or more.
Physical abuse
History of unexplained falls, fractures, bruises, burns, minor injuries
Signs of under or over use of medication and/or medical problems left unattended
Domestic violence
Unexplained injuries or ‘excuses’ for marks or scars
Controlling and/or threatening relationship including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse; so called ‘honour’ based violence and Female Genital Mutilation (Age range extended to 16yrs)
Sexual abuse
Pregnancy in a woman who is unable to consent to sexual intercourse ∙ Unexplained change in behaviour or sexually explicit behaviour
Torn, stained or bloody underwear and/or unusual difficulty in walking or sitting ∙ Infections or sexually transmitted diseases
Full or partial disclosures or hints of sexual abuse
Self-harming
Psychological abuse
Alteration in psychological state e.g. withdrawn, agitated, anxious, tearful
Intimidated or subdued in the presence of a carer
Fearful, flinching or frightened of making choices or expressing wishes
Unexplained paranoia
Financial or material abuse
Disparity between assets and living conditions
Unexplained withdrawals from accounts or disappearance of financial documents
Sudden inability to pay bills
Carers or professionals fail to account for expenses incurred on a person’s behalf
Recent changes of deeds or title to property
Modern slavery
Physical appearance; unkempt, inappropriate clothing, malnourished
Movement monitored, rarely alone, travel early or late at night to facilitate working hours
Few personal possessions or ID documents
Fear of seeking help or trusting people
Discriminatory abuse
Inappropriate remarks, comments or lack of respect
Poor quality or avoidance care
Organisational abuse
No confidence in complaints procedures for staff or service users
Neglectful or poor professional practice
Neglect and acts of omission
Deteriorating despite apparent care
Poor home conditions, clothing or care and support
Lack of medication or medical intervention
Self-neglect
Hoarding inside or outside a property
Neglecting personal hygiene or medical needs