The Safeguarding Policy
Hemel Vineyard Church
29 Bencroft Road,
Hemel Hempstead,
Hertfordshire,
HP2 5UX
www.hemelvineyard.org.uk
Tel No: 07786867029 / 07813187675
Email address: hello@hemelvineyard.org.uk
Part of Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland
Charity Number: 1158066
Church Fellowship Insurance with ANSVAR including Public Liability
The following is a brief description of our organisation and the type of activities we undertake with children and vulnerable adults:
We are a small church fellowship meeting in homes of members, and in hired venues. We meet in a local community centre for services, which include sung worship, teaching, discussion and prayer, and children’s groups during services. We have social events which include family events where children and adults come together. We also run a Children’s Storehouse offering practical items second hand to families in need who are invited to a drop-in by our local Children’s Centres and other agencies. Parents and carers come and choose items that will be of use to their children, including clothes and toys. Often they bring their children to the drop-in.
Our commitment
As a Leadership (The Trustees and Senior Pastors) we recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people and adults. We acknowledge that children, young people and adults can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. We accept the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Human Rights, which states that everyone is entitled to “all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”. We also concur with the Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that children should be able to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse. They have a right to be protected from “all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s), or any other person who has care of the child.” As a Leadership we have therefore adopted the procedures set out in this safeguarding policy in accordance with statutory guidance. We are committed to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding.
The policy and attached practice guidelines are based on the ten Safe and Secure safeguarding standards published by thirtyone:eight.
The Leadership undertakes to:
Endorse and follow all national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures, in addition to the international conventions outlined above.
Provide on-going safeguarding training for all its workers and will regularly review the operational guidelines attached.
Ensure that the premises meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and all other relevant legislation, and that it is welcoming and inclusive.
Support the Safeguarding Coordinator(s) in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children and adults with care and support needs.
The Leadership agrees not to allow the document to be copied by other organisations.
Section 2
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 by inflicting harm, or failing to prevent harm. Children and adults in need of protection may be abused within a family, an institution or a community setting. Very often the abuser is known or in a trusted relationship with the child or adult.
In order to safeguard those in our places of worship and organisations we adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and have as our starting point as a definition of abuse, Article 19 which states:
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.
2. Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate, for judicial involvement.
Also for adults the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights with particular reference to Article 5 which states:
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
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 See Appendix 1
Signs and indicators of abuse See Appendix 2
How to respond to a child or adult wishing to disclose See Appendix 3
The category ‘Spiritual Abuse’ has not currently been recognised in legislation, but we are aware that this can occur, the leadership will respond appropriately and bear in mind that in serious cases this may fall under other categories of abuse identified in legislation.
The leadership also recognise Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as abuse, and that peer-on-peer abuse is also a category that we need to be aware of and know how to respond to See Appendix 4 for Peer on Peer abuse information.
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. As well as having an informal interview with the lead recruiter where safeguarding will be discussed, all new team members will be required to complete a 30 minute online course called Introduction to Safeguarding Children from 31:Eight, with team leaders doing the longer Safeguarding Children Course from 31:Eight, or showing that they have had an equivalent training in their workplace or other voluntary position within the last year. Ongoing training and updating needs will be reviewed frequently.
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.
Responding to allegations of abuse
Under no circumstances should a worker carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse. Following procedures as below:
The way in which we respond to a disclosure is very important, please see Appendix 3
The person in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse should report concerns as soon as possible to Cathryn Barringer (hereafter the "Safeguarding Co-ordinator") tel no: 07813187675 who 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 Safeguarding Co-ordinator or, if the suspicions in any way involve the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, then the report should be made to Meg Cripps (hereafter the "Deputy ") tel no 07792950866 If the suspicions implicate both the Safeguarding Co-ordinator and the Deputy, then the report should be made in the first instance to the Thirtyone:Eight (Formerly CCPAS) PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ. Telephone 0303 003 1111. Alternatively contact Social Services or the police.
Where the concern is about a child the Safeguarding Co-ordinator should contact Children’s Social Services. Where the concern is regarding an adult in need of protection contact Adult Social Services or take advice from CCPAS as above.
The local Children’s Social Services office telephone number (office hours/out of hours emergency) 0300 123 4043
The local Adult Social Services office telephone number (office hours/out of hours emergency) 0300 123 4042
Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Team
Room 152
Postal Point CHO116
County Hall
Hertford
SG13 3DQ
01992 588757
admin.hscp@hertfordshire.gov.uk
The Safeguarding Co-ordinator may need to inform others depending on the circumstances and/or nature of the concern (for example the Chair of Trustees to log that a safeguarding concern is being dealt with, Insurance company to log that there is a possibility of a serious incident concerning safeguarding or a Designated Officer (formerly LADO) if allegations have been made about a person who has a role with under 18’s elsewhere or another denominational officer e.g. Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser or similar).
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. Our Safe Place is the Encrypted Laptop of Cathryn Barringer, handwritten documents will be scanned and saved) We will move to using Google Drive during this year and consider the safekeeping of handwritten documents in a locked cabinet.
Whilst allegations or suspicions of abuse will normally be reported to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, the absence of the Safeguarding Co-ordinator or Deputy should not delay referral to Social Services, the Police or taking advice from CCPAS.
The Leadership will support the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy 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 CCPAS, 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 Safeguarding Co-ordinator/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 safeguarding co-ordinator/ 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.
If a child has a physical injury, a symptom of neglect or where there are concerns about emotional abuse, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:
Contact Children’s Social Services (or CCPAS) 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 CCPAS (who will confirm their advice in writing) if unsure whether or not to refer a case to Children’s Social Services.
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 CCPAS if, for any reason they are unsure whether or not to contact Children’s Social Services/Police. CCPAS will confirm its advice in writing for future reference.
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, Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:
Contact the Adult Social Care Team who have responsibility under the Care Act 2014 to investigate allegations of abuse. Alternatively CCPAS 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 Co-ordinator will:
Identify support services for the victim i.e. counselling or other pastoral support
Contact CCPAS 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 a volunteer or paid member of staff) whilst following the procedure outlined above, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, in accordance with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures will need to liaise with Children’s Social Services in regards to the suspension of the worker, also making a referral to a designated officer formerly called a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
(In addition to this, whether or not there are such mechanisms in operation, consideration should be given to whether a referral should be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Where the Lead Recruiter is liaising with a designated officer discuss with them about the need to refer to the DBS. If a designated officer is not involved, they will need to contact the DBS if the situation is that the nature of concern leads to the end of the employment of the worker or volunteer)
Allegations of abuse against a person who works with adults with care and support needs.
The Care Act places the duty upon Adult Services to investigate situations of harm to adults with care and support needs.
Section 3
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:
There is a written job description / person specification for the post
Those applying have completed an application form and a self declaration form
Those short listed or applying have been interviewed
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.
Normally we would expect that individuals will be a regular attender of the church for a minimum of three months (Sundays and other events, namely connect groups weekly) before they would apply to join the team for Children’s Groups or other activities working with children and vulnerable adults. While there will be exceptions to this for example where the person has been known to us from a previous church setting, this gives us a reference point to ensure our volunteers are known and embedded in the community. We will say this to anyone new to the church wanting to join the team.
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 care and support needs. This includes guidance on the personal relationships that might develop and the boundaries to those with children and vulnerable adults and how team members should act appropriately.
In order to avoid power imbalances, we foster and encourage a culture of mutual respect and also challenge throughout the organisation. Leaders welcome questions about their decisions and actions and seek transparency in the way that they work. This will also help prevent situations that may be perceived as coercive and controlling.
Section 4
Pastoral Care
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.
Support may be provided through pastoral care from the Pastors and/or Connect Group leaders where appropriate.
We suggest individuals explore the services of “The Way Inn Christian Counselling Services” located in Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead. The impact of spiritual abuse must also be recognised by the church when seeking to offer support.
Working with offenders
When someone attending the place of worship / organisation is known to have abused children, or is known to be a risk to adults with care and support needs the Leadership will supervise the individual concerned and offer pastoral care, but in its safeguarding commitment to the protection of children and adults with care and support needs, set boundaries for that person, which they will be expected to keep.
We will work towards developing template policies and a code of behaviour the individual must follow. This will help protect the vulnerable and lessen the possibility of the person being wrongly suspected of abuse in the future. CCPAS pioneered the use of contracts with sex offenders in faith communities. The contract should give details of both the boundaries you expect the individual to keep and the support you will offer them. It should be tailored specifically to individual circumstances and informed ideally by risk assessments from the statutory agencies.
Section 5
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 attached/will be developed.
Sunday morning children’s groups
All children (regular and visitors) are registered using Church Suite – where information about the child, their parent’s contact details, and any allergies are taken, any pertinent info is printed on their security sticker.
Toileting procedure: As our venue is a community centre, members of the public often come in to use the facilities, all team need to be aware of this and be aware.
Children up to 5, where there is a mix of girls and boys, to go in a group of 2 or more with a female team member to the female toilets.
Encourage children to be as independent as possible, where a child needs help, leave the door open and talk loudly to the child so that others can hear, and ask them if they want you to eg lift them on to the toilet, help wipe, help them with their clothes, explain to the child what you’re going to do eg ‘I’m going to put my hands under your arms to lift you up, is that ok?’.
For the older children (unless a whole group then do as above), a team member should stand in the corridor, check the disabled toilet is empty then each child should go in alone whilst the team member waits outside and then sees each child safely back into the room.
Children’s Storehouse
No team member should have any cause to be alone with a child visiting the storehouse
Children remain the responsibility of their parents or carers at all times
We will not agree to ‘watch’ a child for a moment while the parent steps out of the room
No team member will initiate a 1:1 relationship with a child or family during the sessions, for example asking for a phone number or address to help in some way, all contact should go through the Storehouse Coordinator and be agreed and planned in advance.
Where team bring their own child with them to a session they must ensure their child is safe throughout the morning
Other events
Other events we run will in general be events where parent and carers come with children, and therefore remain responsible for their safety. Our general venue risk assessments will make a point of pointing out parental responsibility and hazards at the start of the event.
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, belief and religious practice 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. It is also our expectation that any organisation using our premises, as part of the letting agreement will have their own policy that meets CCPAS’ safeguarding standards.
Good communication is essential in promoting safeguarding, both to those we wish to protect, to everyone involved in working with children and adults and to all those with whom we work in partnership. This safeguarding policy is just one means of promoting safeguarding.
We display the ‘Safeguarding is a Priority here’ poster every week on the table outside the children’s group, which details our lead and deputy Safeguarding officer’s names and numbers, as well as details of thirtyone:eight. The KASH (Kids are Safe Here) video is on our website on the page detailing Sunday groups.
Review Date November 2019
Appendix 1
Leadership Safeguarding Statement
The Leadership, The Senior Pastors and Trustees of Hemel Vineyard Church - hereafter referred to as Leadership, recognises the importance of its ministry /work with children and young people and adults in need of protection and its responsibility to protect everyone entrusted to our care.
We are committed to creating and enabling a healthy culture in order to minimise any coercion and control within our church.
The following statement was agreed by the leadership/organisation on: _____________________
This place of worship/organisation is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults with care and support needs and ensuring their well-being.
Specifically:
We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect of children and young people (those under 18 years of age) and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
We believe every child should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that children we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are suffering harm
All children and young people have the right to be treated with respect, to be listened to and to be protected from all forms of abuse.
We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, financial and discriminatory abuse and neglect of adults who have care and support needs and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
We recognise the personal dignity and rights of adults who find themselves victims of forced marriage or modern slavery and will ensure all our policies and procedures reflect this.
We believe all adults should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of the place of worship/organisation unless they pose a risk to the safety of those we serve.
We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of all those who will work with children and adults with care and support needs.
We believe in the necessity of creating a healthy culture in our church where the value of all people is recognised and challenges are responded to appropriately.
We are committed to:
Following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and adults and good practice recommendations.
Respecting the rights of children as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Implementing the requirements of legislation in regard to people with disabilities.
Ensuring that workers adhere to the agreed procedures of our safeguarding policy.
Keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.
Following any denominational or organisational guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults in need of protection.
Supporting the safeguarding co-ordinator/s in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children/adults with care and support needs.
Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this place of worship/organisation.
Supporting parents and families
Nurturing, protecting and safeguarding of children and young people
Supporting, resourcing, training, monitoring and providing supervision to all those who undertake this work.
Supporting all in the place of worship/organisation affected by abuse.
Adopting and following the ‘Safe and Secure’ safeguarding standards developed by the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service.
We recognise:
Children’s Social Services (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child. Adult Social Care (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs.
Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.
Where working outside of the UK, concerns will be reported to the appropriate agencies in the country in which we operate, and their procedures followed, and in addition we will report concerns to our agency’s headquarters.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
We will review this statement and our policy and procedures annually.
If you have any concerns for a child or adult with care and support needs then speak to one of the following who have been approved as safeguarding co-ordinators for this place of worship/organisation.
_____________________________________________________________Child Safeguarding Coordinator
_____________________________________________________ Deputy Child Safeguarding Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________Adult Safeguarding Coordinator
_____________________________________________________ Deputy Adult Safeguarding Coordinator
A copy of the full policy and procedures is available from Cathryn Barringer, cathryn@hemelvineyard.org.uk
Signed by leadership/organisation
Signed __________________________ ________________________
Date __________________________
Appendix 3
How to respond to disclosures of abuse
Effective Listening
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
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
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 sign language, Braille etc.
Helpful resources
You have done the right thing in telling
I am glad you have told me
I will try to help you
DON'T SAY
Why didn't you tell anyone before?
I can't believe it!
Are you sure this is true?
Why? How? When? Who? Where?
I am shocked, don't tell anyone else
Appendix 4
Peer on peer abuse
If one child or young person causes harm to another, this should not necessarily be dealt with as abuse. When considering whether behaviour is abusive, it is important to consider:
Whether there is a large difference in power (for example age, size, ability, development) between the young people concerned; or
whether the perpetrator has repeatedly tried to harm one or more other children; or
Whether there are concerns about the intention of the alleged perpetrator.
Peer on peer abuse can manifest itself in many ways and different gender issues can be prevalent. Severe harm may be caused to children by abusive and bullying behaviour of other children, which may be physical, sexual or emotional and can include gender based violence/ sexual assaults, sexting, teenage relationship abuse, peer-on-peer exploitation, serious youth violence, sexual bullying or harmful sexual behaviour.
Hertfordshire County Council recommends that education settings use The Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool by the Brook Advisory Service to help professionals; assess and respond appropriately to sexualised behaviour. The traffic light tool can be found at www.brook.org.uk/our-work/the-sexual-behaviours-traffic-light-tool.
Guidance on responding to and managing sexting incidents can be found at:
http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/welfare/child_protection/reference/index.shtml#sex
Team members should recognise that children are capable of abusing their peers and should not be tolerated or passed off as “banter” or “part of growing up”.
Where there is an allegation or concern that a child has abused others Section 4.4 of the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board Inter Agency Child Protection Procedures manual, ‘Children Who Abuse Others’: http://hertsscb.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_chil_abuse.html