Safeguarding at Adeyfield Free Church
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS POLICY STATEMENT
(This is a summary of our policy, the full 36 page document is available from admin)
Adeyfield Free Church (AFC) Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4GZ
The following statement was agreed by the Minister and Elders March 2023:
· AFC is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults with care and support needs and ensuring their well-being.
We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent harm or abuse to children and adults with care and support needs in all their recognised forms.
· We recognise that the personal dignity and rights of adults and children will ensure all our policies and procedures will reflect this.
· We believe all people should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of AFC
· We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children and adults with care and support needs.
· We believe every child and adult should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that all those using our building and services will know this and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing significant harm or if they observe another at risk.
We are committed to:
· Following statutory denominational and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults and will ensure that as a place of worship all those using the AFC building will work within the agreed procedure of our safeguarding policy.
· Implementing the requirements of all relevant legislation including, but not limited to; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005, Equality Act 2010 and referring concerns about adults with care and support needs to the local authority under the Care Act 2014.
· Supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work.
· Ensuring that we are keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.
· Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by AFC
· Supporting all at AFC affected by abuse.
We recognise:
· Children’s Social Services has led responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child. Their contact number is: 0300 1234 043
Adult Social Care has led responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs. Their contact number is: 0300 1234 042
· Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency. The Police Child Protection Team contact number is: 0845 330 0222. In an emergency call 999 and the Police non-emergency number is 101
· Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
We will review this statement and our policy annually.
If you have any concerns for a child or adult, then please write your concern on Form SG1 (copies of this form are in a plastic wallet on the Notice Board near Reception) and place your concern in the Concerns Box on the Reception desk. You may also wish to speak to one of the following who have been approved as safeguarding co-ordinators for AFC.
Dave Kerry______________________________ Safeguarding Co-Ordinator
Sue Grimsdale______________________ Deputy Safeguarding Co-Ordinator
A copy of AFC’s Safeguarding policy can be seen in a plastic wallet attached to the Notice Board near Reception
Signed by Rev Paul Stein:
Signed __________________________ Date_________________
Safeguarding Forms 1 and 2
Adeyfield Free Church
A member Church of the United Reformed Church
Maylands Avenue
Hemel Hempstead
HP2 4GZ
Telephone 01442 260175
e-mail:
safeguarding@adeyfieldfree.org.uk
Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk
FORM SG1
Suspicion/allegation and cause for concern
Name of person recording incident/suspicion
Date.....................................................
Time.....................................................
Record of suspicion (include name of any other individual who has reported to you their suspicion of abuse)
Action taken
Adeyfield Free Church
A member Church of the United Reformed Church
Maylands Avenue
Hemel Hempstead
HP2 4GZ
Telephone 01442 260175
e-mail:
safeguarding@adeyfieldfree.org.uk
Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk
FORM SG2
Referral form of suspicion/allegation and cause for concern
Name of person recording referral
Date…………………………………………
Time…………………………………………
Record of suspicion (include name of any other individual who has reported to you their suspicion of abuse)
Action taken (name referral agency and name of person to whom the report is made)