Safeguarding Policy and Procedures

Our Safeguarding Policy aims to keep both vulnerable groups and our volunteers safe.

CENTREPOINT CHURCH’S COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING 1

1. OVERVIEW OF SAFEGUARDING POLICY 1

1.1. Church Details 1

1.2. Charity Regulator Guidance 1

1.3. Key Legislation 1

1.4. Safeguarding Coordinators for Centrepoint Church 2

1.5. Helplines 2

1.6. Definitions 3

1.7. Reporting Flowchart 4

1.8. Putting Policy into Practice 5

2. SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES 6

2.1. What to do in the event of a disclosure or allegation 6

2.2. Follow up Action 6

2.3. Immediate Threat or Harm 7

2.4. Specific Procedure for Allegations of Physical Abuse/Neglect (Children) 7

2.5. Specific Procedure for Allegations of Sexual Abuse (Children) 7

2.6. Helping victims of Abuse 8

3. MINIMISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ABUSE OR HARM 9

3.1. At all times 9

3.2. At our events 9

3.3. Behaviour 9

3.4. Supervision (Ratios) 10

3.5. Registration 10

3.6. Toilet Procedures 11

3.7. Permissions 11

3.8. Online & Mobile Communication 12

POLICY GUIDELINES FOR STAFF/WORKERS/VOLUNTEERS 12

3.9. Social Media Policy 12

3.10. Care & Support 13

3.11. ENC 14

3.12. Good Practice 14

4. RISK ASSESSMENTS & SAFETY PROCEDURES 15

4.1. Risk Assessment 15

4.2. Fire & Evacuation 15

4.3. First Aid & Medical Issues 15

4.4. Food Safety 16

5. APPOINTING AND TRAINING OF WORKERS 17

5.1. Paperwork Procedure 17

5.2. Background Checks 17

5.3. All Workers 18

5.4. Ministry Team Leads 18

5.5. Training and Supervision for All Pastoral Workers 18

5.6. Junior & Teen Helpers 18

5.7. Removal of Workers 18

5.8. Working with Offenders 19

5.9. Role of Safeguarding Coordinators 19

5.10. Role of the Safeguarding Trustee 20

Appendix A: Safeguarding Policy Statement 23

Appendix B: Safeguarding Incident Recording Form 25

Appendix C: Definitions of Abuse & Harm (Children) 27

Appendix D: Helping Victims Of Abuse 30

Appendix E: Summary of Training Requirements for all workers 31

Appendix F: Online Safety Acceptable Use Agreement 32

Appendix G: Child Pornography and Sexting 35

Appendix H: Guidelines for Pastoral Care 37

Appendix I: Accident Form 42

Appendix J: Parental Release Forms 43

Appendix K: Policy Supplement for Trips, Camps & Residentials and Trip Risk Assessment

48

Trip Risk Assessment 51

Appendix L: Application Form for Workers 52

Appendix M: Agreement Form for Teen Helpers 56

Appendix N: Child Ratios in Detail 58

Appendix O: Making a Referral POLICY & Guidance 60