Safeguarding

As an organisation, the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches takes safeguarding extremely seriously.

The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches Safeguarding Statement 

The following statement was agreed by the Executive Committee on: 01.06.24 

  • This organisation is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults with care and support needs and ensuring their well-being. 
  • We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent harm or abuse to children and adults with care and support needs in all their recognised forms. 
  • We recognise that the personal dignity and rights of adults and children and will ensure all our policies and procedures will reflect this. 
  • We believe all people should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of the organisation. 
  • We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children and adults with care and support needs. 
  • We believe every child and adult should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that all those we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing significant harm. 

We are committed to: 

  • Following statutory, sector and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults and will ensure that as an organisation all workers will work within the agreed procedure of our safeguarding policy. 
  • Implementing the requirements of all relevant legislation including, but not limited to; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005, Equality Act 2010 and referring concerns about adults with care and support needs to the local authority under the Care Act 2014.  
  • Supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work. 
  • Ensuring that we are keeping up to date with developments and emerging best practice relating to safeguarding. 
  • Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this organisation. 
  • Supporting all in the organisation affected by abuse. 

We recognise: 

  • Children’s Social Services has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child.  Adult Social Care has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs. 
  • 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 annually. 

If you have any concerns for a child or adult, then speak to one of the following who have been approved as safeguarding co-ordinators for this organisation. 

  • Gavin Howell – Safeguarding Co-ordinator – ghowell@unitarian.org.uk 
  • Sarah Benfield – Safeguarding Lead Trustee – sarah.benfield2@btinternet.com 
  • Simon Hall – Safeguarding Deputy Lead Trustee – simon@simonhall.me.uk 

A copy of this organisation’s policy is available on request via the safeguarding co-ordinators.  

Agreed by the trustees: 

  • Jo James (Convenor) 
  • John Bates 
  • Sarah Benfield 
  • Simon Hall 
  • Jenny Jacobs 
  • Sue Morrison  

Date: 01.06.24