St James’ and St Michael’s Safeguarding Policy

St James’ and St Michael’s are committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk, and to ensuring their well-being. Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of everyone and is central to our mission and ministry.

The following statement has been agreed by the PPC

• We believe that all children and adults at risk should know that they are valued within the church and safely enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of our church.

• We respect the personal dignity and rights of children and adults at risk (for example, as set out in the Human Rights Act 1989 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) and will ensure that our policies and procedures reflect this.

• We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect of children under 18 years of age.

• We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, discriminatory abuse and neglect of adults at risk.

• We recognise that domestic abuse affects both adults and children and believe that domestic abuse in all its forms is unacceptable and inconsistent with a Christian way of living.

• We will report any abuse of children or adults at risk that we discover or suspect.

• Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed, the police will be contacted as a matter of urgency.

• We recognise that Children’s Services has responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child, and that Adult Services do so for adults at risk.

• We acknowledge that Local Authority Designated Officers (LADOs) have responsibility for dealing with all allegations and concerns about people working with children, whether paid or voluntary workers, lay or ordained.

• We recognise that safeguarding is a whole church responsibility.