For any questions or issues regarding our Safeguarding policy, please contact one of the Trustees below who will be glad to help.  If somebody is in immediate danger, please contact the police straight away on 999.

Designated Person Safeguarding (DPS )    Diane Le Masurier   07979 593962   dianelemas@gmail.com

Safeguarding Trustee                                    Alan Band                07890 789701   alanband@ntlworld.com

Witney New Life Church Safeguarding Policy 

The vision of the church is  To bring people to Christ; to become like Christ.

In fulfilling this vision the church

> has a programme of activities with children and young people.
> welcomes children and young people into the life of our community.

The church recognises its responsibilities for the safeguarding of all children and young people under the age of 18 (regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability) as set out in the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Safe from Harm (HM Government 1994) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government 2010) [or Working Together under the Children Act (Welsh Assembly Government 2006)].

As members of this church we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safeguarding of all children and young people associated with the church and will pray for them regularly.

In pursuit of this we commit ourselves to the following policies and to the development of procedures to ensure their implementation.

PREVENTION and REPORTING of ABUSE

It is the duty of each church member of the wider church family to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children and young people. It is the duty of all to respond to concerns about the well-being of children and young people and to report any child abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected. The church will fully co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.

SAFE RECRUITMENT, SUPPORT and SUPERVISION OF WORKERS

The church will exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children and young people, whether paid or voluntary. All workers will be provided with appropriate training, support and supervision to promote the safeguarding of children.

RESPECTING CHILDREN and YOUNG PEOPLE

The church will adopt a code of behaviour for all who are appointed to work with children and young people so that all children and young people are shown the respect that is due to them.

SAFE WORKING PRACTICES

The church is committed t providing a safe environment for activities with children and young people and will implement ways of working with children and young people that promote their safety and well-being.

A SAFE COMMUNITY

The church is committed to the prevention of bullying of children and young people. The church will seek to ensure that the behaviour of any who may pose a risk to children and young people in the community of the church is managed appropriately.

RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE

The church has appointed  Alan Band  as the Safeguarding Trustee to:

> oversee and monitor implementation of the policy and procedures on behalf of the church’s charity trustees

The church has appointed Diane Le Masurier as the Designated Person for Safeguarding to:

> advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and young people
> take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.

POLICY AND PROCEDURES

A copy of the policy statement will be displayed permanently on the Church notice board and website.

Each worker with children and young people whether paid or voluntary will be given a full copy of the policy and procedures and will be required to follow them.

A full copy of the policy and procedures will be made available on request to any member of the church, the parents or carers of any child or young person from the church or any other person associated with the church.

The policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed at least annually.

The policy statement will be read annually at the church meeting in Annual General meeting together with a report on the outcome of the annual review.

PROTECTION OF ADULTS AT RISK POLICY 

This statement was adopted at a church meeting held on November 29^th 2015

It will be presented each year at the AGM of the church meeting where progress in putting it into practice will be reviewed.  

1. As members of this church we commit ourselves to the safeguarding of adults at risk and ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.
2. It is the responsibility of each of us to do our best to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of adults at risk and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
3. We are dedicated to providing pastoral care and support to those who have experienced abuse. 
4. We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with adults at risk.
5. The church is committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work.
6. The church adopts the guidelines of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, outlined in Safe To Belong.
7. Each person who works with adults at risk will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this church.  

The Designated Person(s) for Safeguarding at this church are responsible for representing the concerns and views of adults at risk at our meetings and to outside bodies. They also are the person(s) to contact for any concerns or questions regarding protecting adults at risk.