Safeguarding

Safeguarding Policy Statement

The following statement has been agreed by The Leadership of Heald Green United Reformed Church

This church is committed to the safeguarding  of children and adults at risk, and to ensure their well-being by:

PROMOTING SAFEGUARDING

PREVENTING ABUSE

PROTECTING EVERYONE

• We recognise that safeguarding is a whole church responsibility
• 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 all aspects of the life of our church.
• We respect the personal dignity and rights of children and adults at risk (e.g., as set out in the Human Rights Act 1989, and UN 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 adults at risk and report it accordingly.
• We recognise that domestic abuse affects both adults and children and believe that domestic abuse in all its forms is unacceptable and inconsistent with the Christian way of life.
• Where we identify concerns over the welfare of a child and/or adult at risk, we will take action to address them in partnership with the relevant and appropriate organisations.

Key Contacts: Sources of advice and support

The Church Safeguarding Coordinator is the person to whom all concerns or allegations should be addressed:

Name: Mrs Margaret Smethurst:     e-mail: mastonrock@hotmail.com

In the absence of the Safeguarding Coordinator, the Deputy Safeguarding Coordinator can be contacted:

Name: Mrs Alison Haigh:  e-mail:  alisoncmhaigh@gmail.com

Synod Safeguarding Officer:

Name: Julia Rafferty:  e-mail: safeguarding@nwsynod.org.uk

Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) 

– only for urgent advice if you are unable to contact the Synod Safeguarding Officer:

24 hour helpline 0845 120 4550

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): 0161 474 5657

Children’s Services:  0161 217 6028

(out of hours):  0161 718 2118

Adult Services:  0161 217 6029

(out of hours)  0161 718 2118