“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not” (Mark 10:14)

Safeguarding 

St Andrew's Church Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Statement

St Andrew's regards the protection and safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults and good working practice as a priority.  In the interests of the safety and well being of all, it has developed and operates a formal safeguarding policy in accordance with the guidance produced by the Free Church of England, which is registered with the Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS).

St Andrew's is committed to ensuring that everyone working with children or young people:

• Has been safely recruited,
• Is adequately trained and supervised, 
• Understands and follows the Safeguarding Policy.

As part of St Andrew's commitment to children, young people and vulnerable adults it has appointed the Revd Mark Spiers as Safeguarding Lead.  Should St Andrew's have any safeguarding concerns it will seek the advice of CCPAS and, if appropriate, contact the statutory authorities.

​We are committed to:

• ​Following statutory and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults, and will ensure that, as a place of worship, all workers will work within the agreed procedure of our Safeguarding Policy,
• Implementing the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005 and all other relevant legislation, 
• Supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work, 
• Ensuring that we are keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding, 
• Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by St Andrew's Church, 
• Supporting all in the church affected by abuse. 

St Andrew's Child Protection Statement

The following statement has been agreed by the Leadership of St Andrew's Church.
 
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 safety 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 1998 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 the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADOs) have responsibility for dealing with all allegations and concerns about people working with children, whether paid or voluntary workers, lay or ordained.
• We recognise that safeguarding is a whole church responsibility.
• Further details about safeguarding policies, training and the Disclosure Service can be obtained from the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service, P O Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ.  Telephone: 0845 120 4550.  Email: info@ccpas.co.uk  Web: www.ccpas.co.uk