Safeguarding Policy Statement

The following statement has been agreed by the leadership of Lancaster Road URC.

This church is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk, and to ensuring their well-being.

  • 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) or the equivalent in Scotland and Wales have responsibility for dealing with all allegations and concerns about people working with children, whether paid or voluntary workers, lay or ordained. We agree that the church will work with the National Youth Organisations in any investigations and for the Leaders of the Youth Organisations to inform the church of any allegations that they have reported.
  • We recognise that safeguarding is a whole church responsibility.

We are committed to:

  • The establishment of a loving environment, which is safe and caring, and where there is an informed vigilance about the dangers of abuse.
  • Following the relevant legislation, statutory, denominational and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults at risk.
  • Ensuring that we keep up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.
  • Building constructive links with the relevant Voluntary and Statutory Authorities.
  • Taking all reasonable steps to ensure that as a church, everyone works within the agreed procedures of our safeguarding policies.
  • Supporting the Safeguarding Coordinator and Deputy in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children and adults at risk.
  • Following safer recruitment principles in the appointment and selection of all those who work with children and adults at risk, be they volunteer or paid staff, lay or ordained.
  • Supporting, supervising, resourcing and training all those who undertake work with children and adults at risk.
  • Ensuring that the children and adults we have contact with know that they are valued and feel empowered to tell us if they are suffering harm.
  • Reporting any abuse of children or adults at risk that we discover or suspect.
  • Supporting all those in our church who are affected by abuse.
  • Supporting and supervising those who pose a risk to children or adults at risk, implementing contracts of behaviour, whilst bearing in mind the overarching principle that the welfare of the child is paramount.
  • If an assessment is made that someone poses an unmanageable risk to those in need of protection and could not safely attend our church, we will ensure that they continue to be offered pastoral care and will signpost them to appropriate agencies for support.

The United Reformed Church (URC) is committed to safeguarding in every area of its life and ministry. Safeguarding is the action taken to promote and protect the well-being and human rights of individuals.

This means we will:

  • Do all we can to create and maintain a safe and caring environment for all people
  • Respond promptly and effectively to any form of abuse and neglect, including reporting abuse to statutory agencies when necessary
  • Seek to prevent abuse in any form from occurring. We will seek to identify individuals who may pose a risk to others and take necessary actions to minimise risk whilst supporting these individuals in our communities when safe to do so.

If you wish to discuss a safeguarding concern, please contact:

Telephone Helpline

thirtyone:eight provide a 24 hour safeguarding helpline that our churches in Thames North Synod can access free of charge. You can call 0303 003 11 11 to speak to a Safeguarding Advisor. A record of the call, suggested follow-up and actions will be emailed to you and a copy sent to the Synod Safeguarding Officer.