SAFEGUARDING

Epsom Vineyard Policy Statement on Safeguarding

 

The following statement was agreed by the Senior Leadership and the Trustees

  • Epsom Vineyard is committed to providing a safe and trusted environment for everyone who comes into contact with the church, including children and adults with care and support needs, and ensuring their well-being.

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

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

  • We believe all children and adults should enjoy and have appropriate access to the life and ministries of Epsom Vineyard where safe to do so.

  • 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, or those who will be in positions of trust. We will promote safer practice and support, resource and train and regularly review those who undertake this work.

  • We believe everyone should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that children and adults we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing significant harm.

We are committed to:

  • Following statutory denominational and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults and will ensure that as a place of worship all workers (paid and unpaid) will work within the agreed procedure of our safeguarding policy.

  • Implementing the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005, Equality Act 2010, Care Act 2014 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 Epsom Vineyard.

  • Supporting all those involved in the life of Epsom Vineyard 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.

Policy and statement to be reviewed annually.

Policy issued Feb 2024, reissued July 2024. Statement reviewed Jun 2024.

Safeguarding Documents

Reporting a safeguarding concern

Documentation to help you report a concern:

If a report is URGENT, report as above AND call church phone number and state that you’ve made a referral.

IN AN EMERGENCY, report as above AND CALL THE POLICE ON 999

If the suspicions implicates the Leadership then report as follows:

  • If about Senior Pastors - report to safeguarding team as above

  • If about Safeguarding Team - report to Senior Pastors by email here: EMAIL SENIOR PASTORS

  • If about Safeguarding Trustee - report to safeguarding team as above

Safeguarding Team

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DLS): Dave Payne

Deputy Safeguarding Leads: Debbie Mayers, Ali Readings

Email the safeguarding team: safeguarding@epsomvineyard.org

Safeguarding Trustee: Simon Skinner (from 25th Nov 2024): safeguarding.trustee@epsomvineyard.org

Epsom Vineyard is a member of thirtyone:eight. They have a 24/7 helpline for advice on safeguarding concerns (adults or children) - 0303 003 1111

Vineyard National Safeguarding Team: safeguarding@vcuki.org.uk 01482 462 690 (ask to speak to the safeguarding team)