Leadership Safeguarding Statement

 

The Leadership of Bognor Regis Vineyard Church recognises the importance of its work with children and young people and its responsibility to protect everyone entrusted to our care.

 

The following statement was agreed by the leadership on 23^rd May 2006, and updated on 11^th March 2010.

Bognor Regis Vineyard Church is committed to the safeguarding of children 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 believe all adults should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of the place of worship 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.

We are committed to:

·         Following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children 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.

·         Supporting the safeguarding co-ordinators in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children.

·       Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by Bognor Regis Vineyard Church.

·         Supporting parents and families.

·       Nurturing, protecting and safeguarding children and young people.

·       Supporting, resourcing, training, monitoring and providing supervision to all those who undertake this work.

·       Supporting all in Bognor Regis Vineyard Church affected by abuse.

·       Adopting and following the ‘Safe and Secure’ safeguarding standards developed by the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS). Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Web: www.ccpas.co.uk

We recognise:

·       West Sussex Children’s Services has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child.

·       Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.

·       Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

We will review this statement and our policy and procedures annually.

If you have any concerns for a child then speak to one of the following who have been approved as safeguarding co-ordinators for Bognor Regis Vineyard Church.

Alison Finniear                 Child Safeguarding Coordinator                               Tel 07960 779352

Jan van Driel                      Deputy Child Safeguarding Coordinator              Tel: 07969 643717

A copy of the full policy and procedures is available from Bognor Vineyard office

5a Waterloo Square, Bognor Regis, PO21 1TE                    Tel: 01243 861113

 

A copy of our safeguarding policy has been lodged with CCPAS, policy # 06/653 and West Sussex Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

Signed by leadership

Jan van Driel                                                  Lisa van Driel

Bob Barham                                                   Mary Barham
Kevin Finniear                                               Alison Finniear

Date       11^th March 2010