Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk, ensuring their well-being. We believe in the necessity of creating a healthy culture in our organisation where the value of all people is recognised and where we respond appropriately when this value is undermined.

In particular:

• We believe that 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 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.

• We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, spiritual, emotional abuse and neglect of children and young people (i.e. those under 18 years of age) and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.

• We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children, young people and adults with care and support needs.

• We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, financial and discriminatory abuse and neglect of adults at risk of harm and abuse, and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.

• We recognise the personal dignity and rights of children, young people and adults and will ensure all our policies and procedures will reflect this.

• We believe all those who attend our activities should enjoy and thrive within the life of Urban Saints. 

We are committed to:

• Nurturing, protecting and safeguarding children and young people and respecting their rights as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

• Following and keeping up to date with statutory guidelines and requirements set out in UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children, young people and adults, together with good practice recommendations.

• Ensuring that all staff, volunteers and others working on our behalf adhere to the agreed procedures and guidelines in our Safeguarding Policy.

• Supporting, resourcing, training, monitoring and providing supervision to all those who undertake work on our behalf with children, young people or adults with care or support needs.

• Implementing the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005, Equality Act 2010 and all other relevant legislation.

• Ensuring that we are keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.

• Supporting all in Urban Saints affected by abuse.

• Supporting the Designated Safeguarding Lead and local Safeguarding Co-ordinators in their roles and in any action, they may need to take to protect children, young people or adults with care and support needs.

We recognise that:

• Where there are concerns about a child, then Children’s Social Services (or the equivalent) has the lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse.

• Where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs, then Adult Social Care (or the equivalent) has the lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse.

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

• When we are working outside the UK, any concerns about a child or adult at risk will be reported to the appropriate agencies in the country in which we are operating, and their procedures followed. In addition, those concerns will be reported to our Safeguarding Officer.

• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.