The Hub Church : Safeguarding Policy
Vision and Mission Statement:
Our Mission is: To be a church of Authentic disciples, devoted to God and loving people.
Our vision is to build Kingdom culture in our town and beyond through the church. Loving people, changing lives and growing faith.
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Making disciples devoted to God and loving each other
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Building community that develops deep relationships.
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Building a church that influences local government, the town and beyond.
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Helping people overcome mental health disorders and beat addictions
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Promoting healthy mindsets and habits
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Creating a unified church that worships and serves together
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Displaying the love of God through positive outreach and social action
Section 1 – Organisational Details
Address:
Portland Road, Bishops Stortford, Herts, Cm233SL
Telephone Number
07473154026
General Email address
thehubchurchstortford@gmail.com
Senior Leaders name(s)
Ruth and Jim Baxter
Contact telephone Number/ Email
07775892329
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Ruth Baxter
Contact
07775892329
Charity number
XR9612 1049175 (Christian Outreach Centre)
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Who we are and what we do:
The Hub Church is part of the Ground Level Network https://www.groundlevel.org.uk/
In addition to our Sunday services at the Hub Church on Portland Road our activities for Children include a mid-week toddler group.
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Our Commitment:
As a Leadership we recognise the importance of providing a safe environment for children and adults.
The following policy and any attached practice guidelines are based on the ten Safe and Secure safeguarding standards published by thirtyone:eight.
Leaders will:
1 Provide on-going safeguarding training for all workers
2 Regularly review the policy and guidance
3 Support the safeguarding lead and any decisions they may have to make to protect any children or vulnerable adults.
See Appendix 1 for our Leadership Safeguarding Statement
Section 2 – Prevention
2.1 Understanding abuse or neglect
It can be challenging and complicated to define child abuse or abuse of an adult. A person can abuse by causing harm or neglecting to stop it. Abuse can occur in a home, an institution, or a community environment to children and adults who need to be protected. Commonly, a child or adult gets abused by someone they know or who they trust.
Detailed definitions, and signs and indicators of abuse, as well as how to respond to a disclosure of abuse, are included here in our policy.
- Definitions of abuse in children and signs of possible abuse in children are included in Appendix 2a.
- Definitions of abuse in adults and signs of possible abuse in adults are included in Appendix 2b.
- Guidance on how to respond to a child or adult wishing to make a disclosure are included in Appendix 3.
2.2 Safer recruitment
The Leadership will ensure all workers/volunteers are appointed, trained and supervised according to government guidance on safe recruitment.
- There is a written job description / person specification for the post
- Those applying have completed an application form and a self-declaration form if applicable
- Safeguarding has been discussed at interview
- Written references have been obtained, and followed up where appropriate
- 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)
- Qualifications (where relevant) have been verified
- A suitable training programme is provided for the successful applicant
- The applicant has completed a probationary period
- The applicant has been given a copy of the organisation’s safeguarding policy and knows how to report concerns.
2.3 Safeguarding training
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. Disclosure & Baring Service (DBS) Checks will be carried out every three years.
The Leadership will also ensure that children and adults with care and support needs are provided with information on where to get help and advice in relation to abuse, discrimination, bullying or any other matter where they have a concern.
Section 3- Guidelines
3.1 Practice guidelines
As an organisation / place of worship working with children, young people and adults with 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 accusation. As well as a general code of conduct for workers, we also have specific good practice guidelines for every activity we are involved in and these are in Appendix 4.
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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. This can be because of cultural tradition, beliefs and religious practices or understanding, for example, of what constitutes abuse. We therefore, have clear guidelines in regards to our expectations of those with whom we work in partnership, whether in the UK or not. We will discuss with all partners our safeguarding expectations and have a partnership agreement for safeguarding.
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Making our commitment to safeguarding known
The church will display the thirtyone:eight poster (Appendix 5) and reference our commitment to safeguarding on our website
Section 4 – Responding to allegations of abuse
4.1. Procedure for responding to allegations of abuse: Under no circumstances should a volunteer or worker carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse. Follow procedures as below: The person in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse should report concerns as soon as possible to:
-To our current DSL or their deputies (hereafter the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL))
-DSL Email: Ruthbaxter1@hotmail.co.uk
Deputy: Evelyn.olasegha@gmail.com The above is nominated by the Leadership to act on their behalf in dealing with the allegation or suspicion of neglect or abuse, including referring the matter on to the statutory authorities.
In the absence of the DSL or DDSL, or if the suspicions in any way involve both the DSL or DDSL, then the report should be made in the first instance to: thirtyone:eight PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ.
Tel: 0303 003 1111.
Alternatively contact Social Services or the police. The DSL should contact the appropriate agency or they may first ring the thirtyone:eight helpline for advice. They should then contact Social Services in the area the child or adult lives.
Name of local authority: Hertfordshire County Council - Children’s Social Care
Tel: 0300 1234 043 (24 hours) Website: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/childrens-social-care/childrens-social-care.aspx
Adult Social Services
Tel: 0300 1234 042 (24 hours) Website: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/Adult-social-services/Adult-social-services.aspx
Police Protection Team
Tel: Hertfordshire Constabulary Contact centre 01707 354 000 (dial 101 if within Hertfordshire)
The DSL may need to inform others depending on the circumstances and/or nature of the concern
- Chair or trustee responsible for safeguarding who may need to liaise with the insurance company or the charity commission to report a serious incident.
- Designated officer or LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) if the allegation concerns a worker or volunteer working with someone under 18. The DSL or DDSLs who first hears the disclosure will communicate at least the outline of the disclosure to the other. Unless the other is under suspicion in which case the Trustee overseeing safeguarding will be informed of the fact that a disclosure has been received.
-Senior Pastors
- Suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above. A written record of the concerns should be made in accordance with these procedures and kept in a secure place.
- Whilst allegations or suspicions of abuse will normally be reported to the DSL, the absence of the DSL or DDSLs should not delay referral to Social Services, the Police or taking advice from thirtyone:eight.
- The Leadership will support the DSL/DDSLs in their role and accept that any information they may have in their possession will be shared in a strictly limited way on a need to know basis.
- 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, although the Leadership hope that members of the place of worship / organisation will use this procedure. If, however, the individual with the concern feels that the DSL /Deputy has not responded appropriately, or where they have a disagreement with the Safeguarding Co-ordinator(s) as to the appropriateness of a referral they are free to contact an outside agency direct. We hope by making this statement that the Leadership demonstrate its commitment to effective safeguarding and the protection of all those who are vulnerable.
The role of the DSL/ 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.
4.2. Detailed procedures where there is a concern about a child: Allegations of physical injury, neglect or emotional abuse. If a child has a physical injury, a symptom of neglect or where there are concerns about emotional abuse, the DSL/DDSLs will:
- Contact Children’s Social Services (or thirtyone:eight) 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, having contacted Children’s Social Services.
- Seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor of any suspicions.
- 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 direct for advice.
- Seek and follow advice given by thirtyone:eight (who will confirm their advice in writing) if unsure whether or not to refer a case to Children’s Social Services.
4.3. Allegations of sexual abuse: In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:
- Contact the Children’s Social Services Department Duty Social Worker for children and families or Police Child Protection Team direct. 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.
4.4. Detailed procedures where there is a concern that an adult is in need of protection: Suspicions or allegations of abuse or harm including; physical, sexual, organisational, financial, discriminatory, neglect, self-neglect, forced marriage, modern slavery, domestic abuse. If there is concern about any of the above, the DSL/DDSLs 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, the DSL/DDSLs 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.
4.5. Allegations of abuse against a person who works with children/young people: If an accusation is made against a worker (whether a volunteer or paid member of staff) whilst following the procedure outlined above, the DSL, in accordance with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures will:
- Liaise with Children’s Social Services in regard to the suspension of the worker.
- Make a referral to a designated officer formerly called a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) whose function is to handle all allegations against adults who work with children and young people whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.
- Make a referral to Disclosure and Barring Service for consideration of the person being placed on the barred list for working with children or adults with additional care and support needs. This decision should be informed by the LADO if they are involved.
4.6. Allegations of abuse against a person who works with adults with care and support needs The DSL will:
- Liaise with Adult Social Services in regard to the suspension of the worker.
- Make a referral to the DBS following the advice of Adult Social Services. The Care Act places the duty upon Adult Services to investigate situations of harm to adults with care and support needs. This may result in a range of options including action against the person or organisation causing the harm, increasing the support for the carers or no further action if the ‘victim’ chooses for no further action and they have the capacity to communicate their decision. However, this is a decision for Adult Services to decide not the church.
Section 5 Pastoral Care
5.1. Supporting those affected by abuse: The Leadership is committed to offering pastoral care, working with statutory agencies as appropriate, and support to all those who have been affected by abuse who have contact with or are part of the place of worship/organisation. This will be achieved by the most appropriate route and may include homegroups or internal and/or external professional counselling.
5.2. Working with offenders and those who may pose a risk: When someone attending The Hub is known to have abused children, is under investigation, or is known to be a risk to adults with care and support needs, the situation will be risk assessed (by the leadership in conjunction with the DSL/DDSLs) and, where appropriate taking advice from their multi-agency support team) and appropriate controls are established. The controls are likely to include a ‘contract’ between the offender and the Church which will give details of both the boundaries the individual is expected to keep and the support they will be offered. In the most extreme case, where an offender poses a significant risk and refuses to agree to appropriate controls, (including, for instance, one-to-one supervision at meetings) excluding them from all meetings where children or adults with care and support needs are present.