SAFEGUARDING POLICY FOR NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH

UPDATED MAY 2025

CONTENTS:

Section 1 Details of Organisation

Section 2 Governance and Leadership

Section 3 Prevention

Section 4 Partnership working

Section 5 Responding to allegations of abuse

Section 6 Well being support and Pastoral care

APPENDICES

1. Safeguarding Statement

2. Areas of concern not currently listed as types of abuse

3. Contacts for signposting

4. Details of Policies referred to in this Safeguarding Policy

5. List of forms available for concern and consent

6. Flowcharts for ACTION for children and young people at risk, adults at risk and online safety incidents

SECTION 1: Details of the Organisation

Name of Organisation: New Life Community Church CIO

Address: Haw Lane, Yeadon, LS19 7XQ

Tel No: 0113 250 6840

General Email address: info@newlifeyeadon.org

Pastor / Senior Leader: Geoff Newton

Pastor / Senior Leader: Contact Telephone / Email: 0113 250 6840 info@newlifeyeadon.org

Safeguarding Lead Name: Pat Williams

Safeguarding Lead Contact Telephone / Email: 07498071292 safeguarding@newlifeyeadon.org

Membership of Denomination/Organisation (if applicable): Ground Level and Evangelical Alliance

Denomination / Organisation Safeguarding Lead (if applicable): NA

Contact Details for Denomination / Organisation Safeguarding Lead (if applicable): NA

Charity Number: 1189002

Company Number: NA

Regulators: Charity Commission

Insurance Company: Ansvar with Public Liability £5,000,000

The following is a brief description of our place of organisation and the type of activities we undertake with children and adults.

Our Sunday morning meeting consists of a time of prayer and worship for all age groups and a time of teaching/preaching with two separate groups, one for five to 11 years, one for the adults in the main meeting room. We also have crèche facilities for the 4’s and under.

We have mid-week teaching/fellowship meetings for adults in the church and run Alpha groups from time to time.

Our worship group consists of adults and one child and this group meet regularly in church to practice

We have a men’s darts group meeting weekly to play and have fellowship which is open to non-church members

A youth night with access to non church members is in its infancy

Community engagement is also through fun days and Kidz week during the summer holidays

Our Annex can be hired out for community use including children’s parties.

Our main church building is available for approved community groups to hire

SECTION 2: Governance and Leadership

Our commitment

As a Leadership we recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people and adults. We acknowledge that children, young people and adults can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. We accept the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Human Rights, which states that everyone is entitled to “all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”. We also concur with the Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that children should be able to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse. They have a right to be protected from “all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s), or any other person who has care of the child.” As a Leadership we have therefore adopted the procedures set out in this safeguarding policy in accordance with statutory guidance. We are committed to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding.

A model safeguarding statement can be found in APPENDIX 1.

The policy and any attached practice guidelines are based on the ten safeguarding standards published by Thirtyone:eight

Governance

The Church is lead by the church leadership team and the Pastor leads that team. The New Life Community Church’s board of trustees is appointed to support the Church leadership and be a voice of loyal opposition when necessary. The Trustees have independent authority and legal responsibility for the CIO. This includes having a critical role in decision making and compliance as well as a distinct voice in setting the values, standards and behaviours of the organisation.

The standards and behaviours may be referred to as the culture of the organisation or “the way we do things around here”. Culture can be shaped in both negative and positive ways.

“The culture of a charity goes beyond mere compliance with legal and regulatory demands. Charity governance is most effective when it provides assurances not just that legal requirements are met, but that the behaviour of people working for the charity, and those who come into contact with it, is proper and ethical. Culture, alongside good governance, can be pivotal to whether a charity achieves its stated object” (IICSA The Governance Institute, 2017).

Whilst Safeguarding is a whole leadership and church community responsibility, the board of trustees will have overarching responsibility for safeguarding within the organisation, including referring to the Charity Commission if there is a serious incident affecting the charity. (Go to” How to report a serious incident to your charity-gov.uk” and follow procedures)

The following Safeguarding Policy and Statement aim to not only meet the requirements of ensuring a safe environment for those accessing activities in our organisation but to also build an open culture where:

• those who lead do so by example,

• those who lead are committed to the safeguarding of all

• those that work or volunteer are safely recruited and trained for their roles

• there are accountability structures with codes of conduct

• with codes of conduct

• the values of the organisation are embedded in its day-to-day actions and behaviours of its people

• there is open communication

SECTION 3: Prevention

Understanding abuse and neglect

Defining child abuse or abuse against an adult is a difficult and complex issue. A person may abuse by inflicting harm or failing to prevent harm. Children and adults with care and support needs may be abused within a family, an institution or a community setting. Very often the abuser is known or in a trusted relationship with the child or adult.

For the purposes of this policy, a child will be referred to as someone under 18 years old.

An adult at risk of harm will be defined in this policy as the following:

In accordance with the Care Act of 2014 adult safeguarding duties apply to any person aged 18 or over who

Has care support needs

Is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect

Is unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs

To safeguard those in our organisation we adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and have as our starting point as a definition of abuse, Article 19:

1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.

2. Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate, for judicial involvement.

Also, for adults the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights with particular reference to Article 5:

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

This policy is in line with the following legislation but not limited to: Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, 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.

Types of Abuse: Children

In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland:

• Physical

• Sexual

• Emotional

• Neglect

Types of Abuse: Children

In England:

• Physical

• Sexual

• Emotional

• Financial

• Organisational

• Domestic

• Modern slavery

• Discriminatory

• Neglect

• Self-neglect

Detailed definitions, and signs and indicators of abuse, as well as how to respond to a disclosure of abuse, are included here in our policy.

Definitions of Abuse: Children

The four definitions of abuse below operate in England based on the government guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010)’.

What is abuse and neglect?


Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger for example, via the internet. They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children.

Physical abuse


Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.

Emotional abuse


Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. 
It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

Sexual abuse


Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

Neglect


Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

• provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment)

• protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger

• ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate caregivers)

• ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

Definitions of Abuse: Vulnerable Adults

The following definition of abuse is laid down in ‘No Secrets: Guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse (Department of Health 2000):

‘Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons. In giving substance to that statement, however, consideration needs to be given to a number of factors:

Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act of neglect or an omission to act, or it may occur when a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which he or she has not consented, or cannot consent. Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it.

Physical Abuse

This is the infliction of pain or physical injury, which is either caused deliberately, or through lack of care.

Sexual Abuse

This is the involvement in sexual activities to which the person has not consented or does not truly comprehend and so cannot give informed consent, or where the other party is in a position of trust, power or authority and uses this to override or overcome lack of consent.

Psychological or Emotional Abuse


These are acts or behaviour, which cause mental distress or anguish or negates the wishes of the vulnerable adult. It is also behaviour that has a harmful effect on the vulnerable adult’s emotional health and development or any other form of mental cruelty.

Financial or Material Abuse

This is the inappropriate use, misappropriation, embezzlement or theft of money, property or possessions

Neglect or Act of Omission

This is the repeated deprivation of assistance that the vulnerable adult needs for important activities of daily living, including the failure to intervene in behaviour which is dangerous to the vulnerable adult or to others. A vulnerable person may be suffering from neglect when their general wellbeing, or development is impaired

Discriminatory Abuse

This is the inappropriate treatment of a vulnerable adult because of their age, gender, race, religion, cultural background, sexuality, disability etc. Discriminatory abuse exists when values, beliefs or culture result in a misuse of power that denies opportunity to some groups or individuals. Discriminatory abuse links to all other forms of abuse.

Institutional Abuse

This is the mistreatment or abuse of a vulnerable adult by a regime or individuals within an institution (e.g. hospital or care home) or in the community. It can be through repeated acts of poor or inadequate care and neglect or poor professional practice.

Signs and symptoms of abuse: Children & young people

The following signs could be indicators that abuse has taken place but should be considered in context of the child’s whole life.

Physical 


Injuries not consistent with the explanation given for them 
Injuries that occur in places not normally exposed to falls, rough games, etc 


Injuries that have not received medical attention 


Reluctance to change for, or participate in, games or swimming 


Repeated urinary infections or unexplained tummy pains 


Bruises on babies, bites, burns, fractures etc which do not have an accidental explanation*
Cuts/scratches/substance abuse*

Sexual


Any allegations made concerning sexual abuse


Excessive preoccupation with sexual matters and detailed knowledge of adult sexual behaviour 


Age-inappropriate sexual activity through words, play or drawing 


Child who is sexually provocative or seductive with adults


Inappropriate bed-sharing arrangements at home 


Severe sleep disturbances with fears, phobias, vivid dreams or nightmares, sometimes with overt or veiled sexual connotations


Eating disorders - anorexia, bulimia*

Emotional


Changes or regression in mood or behaviour, particularly where a child withdraws or becomes clinging.

Depression, aggression, extreme anxiety.

Nervousness, frozen watchfulness


Obsessions or phobias
Sudden under-achievement or lack of concentration

Inappropriate relationships with peers and/or adults

Attention-seeking behaviour


Persistent tiredness


Running away/stealing/lying

Neglect


Under nourishment, failure to grow, constant hunger, stealing or gorging food

Untreated illnesses


Inadequate care

*These indicate the possibility that a child or young person is self-harming.  Approximately 20,000 are treated in accident and emergency departments in the UK each year. 

Signs and symptoms of abuse: Vulnerable Adults

Physical

A history of unexplained falls, fractures, bruises, burns, minor injuries


Signs of under or overuse of medication and/or medical problems unattended

Sexual


Pregnancy in a woman who is unable to consent to sexual intercourse


Unexplained change in behaviour or sexually implicit/explicit behaviour 


Torn, stained or bloody underwear and/or unusual difficulty in walking or sitting


Infections or sexually transmitted diseases
Full or partial disclosure or hints of sexual abuse
Self-harming

Psychological


Alteration in psychological state e.g. withdrawn, agitated, anxious, tearful
Intimidated or subdued in the presence of the carer


Fearful, flinching or frightened of making choices or expressing wishes


Unexplained paranoia

Financial or Material

Disparity between assets and living conditions


Unexplained withdrawals from accounts or disappearance of financial documents


Sudden inability to pay bills


Carers or professionals fail to account for expenses incurred on a person’s behalf


Recent changes of deeds or title to property



Neglect or Omission 
Malnutrition, weight loss and /or persistent hunger


Poor physical condition, poor hygiene, varicose ulcers, pressure sores


Being left in wet clothing or bedding and/or clothing in a poor condition


Failure to access appropriate health, educational services or social care
No callers or visitors

Discriminatory


Inappropriate remarks, comments or lack of respect
Poor quality or avoidance of care

Institutional


Lack of flexibility or choice over meals, bedtimes, visitors, phone calls etc


Inadequate medical care and misuse of medication


Inappropriate use of restraint
Sensory deprivation e.g. denial of use of spectacles or hearing aids


Missing documents and/or absence of individual care plans


Public discussion of private matter


Lack of opportunity for social, educational or recreational activity

How to respond to a child wishing to disclose abuse:

Ensure the physical environment is welcoming, giving opportunity for the child or vulnerable adult to talk in private but making sure others are aware the conversation is taking place.

• It is especially important to allow time and space for the person to talk

• Above everything else listen without interrupting

• Be attentive and look at them whilst they are speaking

• Show acceptance of what they say (however unlikely the story may sound) by reflecting back words or short phrases they have used

• Try to remain calm, even if on the inside you are feeling something different

• Be honest and don’t make promises you can’t keep regarding confidentiality

• If they decide not to tell you after all, accept their decision but let them know that you are always ready to listen.

• Use language that is age appropriate and, for those with disabilities, ensure there is someone available who understands sign language, Braille etc.

HELPFUL RESPONSES

• You have done the right thing in telling 

• I am glad you have told me

• I will try to help you

DON'T SAY

• Why didn't you tell anyone before?

• I can't believe it!

• Are you sure this is true?

• Why?  How?  When?  Who?  Where?

• I am shocked, don't tell anyone else

Creating safer spaces online

Online safety is the collective term for safeguarding involving the use of electronic devices and applications to communicate and access the internet, often referred to as \information and Communications Technology.

Online youth work can take many forms

Meeting as a group through an online video chat platform

Connecting with individuals and groups through messaging software

Broadcasting activities or video on social platforms

A video call with a young person and two approved youth workers

Potential risks

Whilst these spaces offer great opportunities there are a number of potential risks which are listed below

The opportunity for grooming/sexual exploitation

Sharing of personal contact details of young people and youth workers

Inappropriate conversations between young people and workers

Potential allegation against workers

Use of apps with minimum age restrictions

The facilitation of abusive or unkind behaviour (cyber-bullying) between young people

Particular risks associated with children in care or those known to children’s services

For the Online Safety Policy, Social Media and Acceptable Use Policy see Appendix 4

There are some other areas of concern that do not directly come under the categories of abuse. These are listed in Appendix 2

Spiritual Abuse has not currently been recognised in legislation, but we need to have an awareness to be able to respond appropriately and in serious cases, it may fall under other categories of abuse identified in legislation. Below is a definition that will help if the need arises.

Spiritual abuse is a form of emotional and psychological abuse. It is characterized by a systematic pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour in a religious context. Spiritual abuse can have a deeply damaging impact on those who experience it. This abuse may include: manipulation and exploitation, enforced accountability, censorship of decision making, requirements for secrecy and silence, coercion to conform, control through the use of sacred texts or teaching, requirement of obedience to the abuse, the suggestion that the abuser has a ‘divine’ position, isolation as a means of punishment, and superiority and elitism (Oakley and Humphreys, 2019).

Reference to relevant legislation:

England

• The Children Act (1989 & 2004)

• Working Together to Safeguard Children, WTSC (2023)

• The Care Act (2014)

• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)

• Mental Capacity Act (2005)

Appendix 3 has details of organisations that anyone can access to seek help and we can signpost people to these if needed.

Positions of Trust.

All adults working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are in a position of trust. All those in positions of trust need to understand the power this can give them over those they care for and the responsibility they have because of this relationship.

It is vital that all workers ensure they do not, even unknowingly, use their position of power and authority inappropriately. They should always maintain professional boundaries and avoid behaviour which could be misinterpreted.

As of April 2022, it is illegal in England and Wales and Northern Ireland for those in Positions of Trust in a faith setting to engage in sexual activity with a 16 or 17 year old under their care or supervision.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, has been broadened to include “sport” and “religion”. This includes anyone who: ‘coaches, teaches, trains, supervises or instructs someone under 18, on a regular basis, in a sport or a religion’.

These sport coach and faith leadership positions are currently defined as:

“sport” includes:

• any game in which physical skill is the predominant factor, and

• any form of physical recreation which is also engaged in for purposes of competition or display;

“religion” includes:

• a religion which involves belief in more than one God, and

• a religion which does not involve belief in a god.

Safer recruitment

The Leadership will ensure all workers will be appointed, trained, supported and supervised in accordance with government guidance on safe recruitment. This includes ensuring that:

• There is a written job description / person specification for the post

• Those applying have completed an application form

• Those short listed have been interviewed

• Safeguarding has been discussed at interview

• Written references have been obtained, and followed up where appropriate

• A self-declaration form and the relevant Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS (England and Wales), Disclosure Scotland (Scotland) or AccessNI (Northern Ireland) has been completed where necessary (we will comply with Code of Practice requirements concerning the fair treatment of applicants and the handling of information)

• Qualifications where relevant have been verified

• A suitable training programme and induction is provided for the successful applicant

• The applicant has completed a probationary period.

• The applicant has been given a copy of the organisation’s safeguarding policy and knows how to report concerns.

If an applicant is from outside of the UK we will undertake necessary background checks on those applying to work with children/adults with care and support needs by requiring them to have obtained ‘fit person’ checks from their home country as well as references from there.

Safeguarding training

The Leadership is committed to on-going safeguarding training and development opportunities for all workers, developing a culture of awareness of safeguarding issues to help protect everyone. All our workers will receive induction training and undertake recognised safeguarding training on a regular basis.

The Leadership will provide or facilitate all staff/volunteers undertaking basic safeguarding training which will be renewed every three years.

The Leadership will provide or facilitate the Safeguarding Lead/Deputy Safeguarding Lead undertaking advance safeguarding training which will be renewed every two years. Where possible, the Leadership will provide or facilitate additional training for the requirements of the role.

The Leadership will provide or facilitate specialist safeguarding training for the governance board/board of trustees which will be renewed every three years.

Training will be through Thirtyone eight courses.

The Leadership will also ensure that children and adults with care and support needs are provided with information on where to get help and advice in relation to abuse, discrimination, bullying or any other matter where they have a concern. See Appendix 4

Practice Guidelines

As an organisation working with children, young people and adults with care and support needs we wish to operate and promote good working practice. This will enable workers to run activities safely, develop good relationships and minimise the risk of potential harm or abuse and false or unfounded accusations.

At the outset if the church intends to make use of images of children eg during a Sunday morning service or in specific activities a consent form must be completed by the parent/carer and also , in the case of a specific activity, the worker organising it. See Appendix 5

We have good practice guidelines for every activity we may be involved in but specific practice guidelines for each activity are being developed at this time and will be included in the annual update of the policy in 2026

Practice guidelines for activities run by the church

This guidance is designed to help New Life Community Church consider their responsibility towards safeguarding the welfare of any person involved in activities organised in the name of the Church.

Throughout the document, the term ‘activity’ is used to describe all activities, events, day-trips and overnight stays.

Areas to consider and, where appropriate, practical steps to be taken when organising and running activities are set out but these are not exhaustive; the need for additional safeguards must always be considered.

It is expected that the Safeguarding team will always work in line with the policies and procedures in respect of health and safety, risk assessment and transportation for example.

Creating a safer environment for activities

Planning and review

Planning, with consultation, will help ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults at risk in any activity that either takes place on or away from church premises. Before any activity takes place, the organisers or leaders should:

• have a clear sense of why the activity is taking place, its purpose and aims

• have a clear sense of the form it will take and its schedule

• have considered and have a plan for meeting the diverse needs of participants in terms of age, competence, maturity, behaviour, medical needs and any additional needs

• consult with participants, families and others involved in the event, incorporating suggestions where appropriate

After the activity, understanding what was successful and what could have been better is a key part of learning that can be used to inform future planning. Evaluation activities should include everybody that was involved in the activity.

Risk Assessment

Risk Assessments are an integral part of creating safe environments.  A risk assessment is a written evaluation of what might cause harm to people and the steps being taken to prevent harm.

When planning activities, a risk assessment for the activity should be completed (see form in Appendix 5) and brought to the attention of all leaders, who should also be made aware of their areas of responsibility, relevant health and safety procedures and safeguarding procedures. If off-site, the risk assessment should travel with the group.

Risk Assessments should be completed by somebody with the requisite knowledge and skills, during the planning stage of an activity or event, and approved by the event leader. This list is not exhaustive but a risk assessment should address the:

• type of activity

• venue/premises – health and safety; fire safety

• equipment

• transport

• participants

• staffing and ratios

• procedures

• health and medical needs; questions to ask include:

  • are the first aid facilities and training adequate and appropriate for the activity?

  • are arrangements in place for those with additional needs?

  • are arrangements in place for those with medical needs, including those needing to take regular medication, and those who have irregular sleep behaviours (such as sleepwalking)?

  • are arrangements in place for those with allergies or phobias, and those who suffer from travel sickness?

  • are arrangements in place for those with additional dietary needs and requirements?

• financial risk

• contingency and emergency planning

Ensure the Risk Assessment is dated and signed by the person completing it

Risk assessments for regular or ongoing activities should be reviewed and updated in accordance with our policies and procedures. We aim to review and update risk assessments on an annual basis to ensure that they are up-to-date.

Environmental factors must be considered throughout a risk assessment such as whether the activity takes place indoors or outdoors, the time of day, the time of year, the weather, and other natural phenomena.

Any activities in or near water need to be particularly risk assessed and consider the competence of group leaders and other responsible adults. Ratios should be higher for these activities and at least one qualified lifesaver should be present during these activities.

Specialist activities (e.g. abseiling, swimming, canoeing etc.) must always take place under the supervision of suitably qualified staff and must be explored in the risk assessment. The provider is responsible for the safe running of an activity whilst the group leader and other activity leaders retain responsibility for the children, young people and adults during adventure activities, even when the group is under instruction by a member of the provider's staff.

Appointment to roles

All appointments (paid or voluntary) must be undertaken following our safer recruitment policy and procedures.

Leadership

All activities should have a Designated Leader who is experienced, competent and appropriately trained to support and coordinate other leaders and helpers .

Activity leaders might wish to consider appointing a responsible adult to support them with planning and running activities, undertaking risk assessments and liaising with the relevant person within the church if they identify any risks or require any advice.

In addition to having an appointed leader, activities will rely on the involvement of other ‘responsible adults’.

A ‘responsible adult’ is anyone, aged 18 years and above, who is involved in organising, supporting, leading, teaching, facilitating or supervising a church-related activity.

Supervision and adult: child ratios

Supervision should be active and continuous for the duration of the activity, including during periods outside of structured activities as well as during the activities themselves. Participants might not need to be watched always but leaders should consider the types of supervision required according to the activity.

Providing an adequate ratio of adult supervisors to children contributes to the physical and emotional safety and well being of children and young people and is essential to ensuring that appropriate and safe levels of supervision are maintained. Appropriate supervision ratios also serve to support those supervising.

Factors to take into consideration when considering supervision and child: adult ratios include:

• the gender, age and ability of the group

• additional support or medical needs

• the duration and nature of the activities

• the experience of adults in off-site supervision

• the type of any accommodation

• the competence of staff

• the requirements of the organisation or location to be visited

• the competence and behaviour of participants

Any meeting with children, young people or adults at risk should take place in an area which is either visually accessible or is frequented by other people and there must always be a minimum of two adults linked to every group for all activities.

A general guide for minimum supervision ratios provided by the Department for Education (DfE) is:

• one adult leader for every 3 children aged 0-2 years

• one adult leader for every 4 children aged 2-3 years

• one adult leader for every 6 children aged 4-8 years

• one adult leader for every 8 children aged 9-12 years

• one adult leader for every 10 children aged 13-18 year.

Support ratios for adults should be based on the assessment of need. For example, the required level of support with mobility might necessitate a minimum ratio of one to one.

As a church is open to all, there may be people in attendance who pose a specific behavioural risk eg a sex offender. A Behaviour Risk assessment form must be completed for them (see appendix 5)

A person in this category would need to be closely monitored and strict boundaries set which would help them to feel secure and less vulnerable to false accusation and at the same time protect any vulnerable people. A contract would be drawn up between them and NLCC. Ongoing monitoring would be essential. Confidentiality is vital to manage the risk successfully.

It may be with some activities the risks cannot be managed and the person would not be allowed to attend.

For some activities specific forms will have to be completed, e.g. consent forms, risk assessments etc. These can be found in Appendix 5

Management of Workers – Codes of Conduct

As a Leadership we are committed to supporting all workers and volunteers and ensuring they receive support and supervision. All workers and volunteers have been issued with a code of conduct for supporting children, young people and adults with care and support needs, and will be given clear expectations about what is expected of them both within their role and outside of their role. They will also receive further training as necessary.

This Code of Conduct can be seen in Appendix 4 along with the General Code of Conduct which applies to everyone attending meetings or events of any kind at NLCC

Please see Appendix 4 for our Complaints Procedure and our Whistle blowing Policy

SECTION 3: Partnership working

The diversity of organisations and settings means there can be great variation in practice when it comes to safeguarding children, young people and adults with care and support needs. This can be because of cultural tradition, belief and religious practice or understanding, for example, of what constitutes abuse.

We would expect any organisation with whom we work in partnership to have their own Safeguarding policy which would meet our own standards and we would request to see a copy of it before entering into any partnership.... It is also our expectation that any organisation using our premises, as part of the letting agreement will have their own policy that meets our safeguarding standards. This expectation would be made clear on the letting agreement form.

We have posters on display in the Church and in the Annex relating to our commitment to Safeguarding which include our Code of Conduct, Health and Safety regulations, Fire and Safety provisions, our Insurance Certificate and our Safeguarding Policy is available on request..

We believe good communication is essential in promoting safeguarding, both to those we wish to protect, to everyone involved in working with children and adults with care and support needs and to all those with whom we work in partnership. This safeguarding policy is just one means of promoting safeguarding.

SECTION 3: Responding to allegations of abuse

Under no circumstances should a worker or volunteer carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse. Follow procedures as below:

• The worker or volunteer should make a report of the concern in the following way:

• The person in receipt of disclosures, allegation or concern of abuse should report concerns as soon as possible to:

Name: Pat Williams

Tel: 07498071292 (10am-12pm Mon,Wed,Fri)

Email: safeguarding@newlifeyeadon.org

The above is nominated by the Leadership to act on their behalf in dealing with the disclosure, allegation or concern, including referring the matter on to the statutory authorities.

In the absence of the Safeguarding Lead or, if the concerns in any way involve the Safeguarding Lead, then the report should be made to:

Name: Carol Comrie

Tel: 07498071292 (10am-12pm Mon, Wed, Fri)

Email: safeguarding@newlifeyeadon.org

If the concerns implicate both the Safeguarding Lead and the Deputy Safeguarding Lead, then the report should be made in the first instance to:

Name: The Chair of Trustees

Tel: 0113 07498071292

The worker or volunteer can also contact Thirtyone:eight to get further advice if required: Tel: 0303 003 1111. Option 2

The worker or volunteer should record the disclosure, allegation or concern onto the cause for concern form and share this with the Safeguarding Lead/Safeguarding Deputy or Chair of Trustees as soon as possible. Please see a copy of the cause for concern form in the appendix.5

The Safeguarding Lead may first ring the Thirtyone:eight helpline for advice. Based on the concern, they may then contact the relevant statutory services.

Children’s Services: 0113 222 4403

Adults Services: 0113 2477605

Police: 101 or 999 if person at is at risk of harm:

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): 0113 3789687

Charity Commission for England and Wales:Online form to complete

The Safeguarding Lead may need to inform others depending on the circumstances and/or nature of the concern, such as:

Chair of Trustees or trustee responsible for safeguarding who may need to liaise with the insurance company or the charity regulator (Charity Commission for England and Wales, Charity Commiision for Northern Ireland or Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) to report a serious incident/raise a concern (Scotland).

Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO (England and Wales), Child’s Named Person (Scotland) or the Gateway Team (Northern Ireland) if the allegation concerns a worker or volunteer working with someone under 18.

Concerns must not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above. A written record of the concerns should be made in accordance with these procedures and kept in a secure place.

Whilst disclosures, allegations or concerns of abuse will normally be reported to the Safeguarding Lead, the absence of the Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Safeguarding Lead should not delay referral to the statutory services, the police, police Scotland or Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) or taking advice from Thirtyone:eight.

The Leadership will support the Safeguarding Lead/Deputy Safeguarding Lead in their role and accept that any information they may have in their possession will be shared in a strictly limited way on a need-to-know basis.

It is, of course, the right of any individual as a citizen to make a direct referral to the safeguarding agencies or seek advice from Thirtyone:eight, although the Leadership hope that members of the organisation will use this procedure. If, however, the individual with the concern feels that the Safeguarding Lead/Deputy Safeguarding Lead has not responded appropriately, or where they have a disagreement with the Safeguarding Lead(s) as to the appropriateness of a referral they are free to contact an outside agency direct. We hope by making this statement that the Leadership demonstrate its commitment to effective safeguarding and the protection of all those who are vulnerable.

The role of the safeguarding Lead/Deputy Safeguarding Lead is to collate and clarify the precise details of the allegation or suspicion and pass this information on to statutory agencies who have a legal duty to investigate.

Detailed procedures where there is a concern about a child:

Allegations of physical injury, neglect or emotional abuse:

If a child has a physical injury, a symptom of neglect or where there are concerns about emotional abuse, the Safeguarding Lead/Deputy Safeguarding Lead will:

If the child requires immediate medical attention, contact the relevant medical services, informing the Doctor of any concerns.

Contact Children’s Social Care (England, Wales, Scotland), Gateway Services (Northern Ireland) (or Thirtyone:eight) for advice in cases of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child's safety or if a child is afraid to return home.

If the disclosure, allegation or concern is directly about the parents, then do not tell the parents or carers unless advised to do so, having contacted Children’s Social Care (England, Wales, Scotland), Gateway Services (Northern Ireland).

For lower-level concerns, (e.g. poor parenting), encourage parent/carer to seek help, but not if this places the child at risk of harm.

Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them. In cases of real concern, if they still fail to act, contact Children’s Social Care direct for advice.

Seek and follow advice given by Thirtyone:eight (who will confirm their advice in writing) if unsure whether to refer a case to Children’s Social Care (England, Wales, Scotland), Gateway Services (Northern Ireland).

Allegations of sexual abuse:

In the event of allegations or concerns of sexual abuse, the Safeguarding Lead/Deputy Safeguarding Lead will:

Contact the Children’s Social Care (England, Wales, Scotland), Gateway Services (Northern Ireland) for children and families and police, police Scotland or Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) on 101.

Depending on the circumstances, they will need to consider whether it is appropriate to speak to the parents of the child. If they are not sure about this, then they will contact Thirtyone:eight.

Seek and follow the advice given by Thirtyone:eight if for any reason they are unsure whether to contact Children’s Social Care (England, Wales, Scotland), Gateway Services (Northern Ireland)/police, police Scotland or Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI). Thirtyone:eight will confirm its advice in writing for future reference.

Detailed procedures where there is a concern about an adult at risk:

Concerns or allegations of abuse or harm including; physical, sexual, organisational, financial, discriminatory, neglect, self-neglect, forced marriage, modern slavery, domestic abuse.

If there is concern about any of the above, Safeguarding Lead/Deputy Safeguarding Lead will:

If the adult is in immediate danger or has sustained a serious injury contact the Emergency Services on 999, informing them of any suspicions.

Contact Adult Social Care (England, Wales, Scotland) or Adult Social Work Services (Northern Ireland) who will be able to advise whether this reaches the safeguarding threshold and actions required. Alternatively, Thirtyone:eight can be contacted for advice.

If there is a concern regarding spiritual abuse, Safeguarding Lead will:

Identify support services for the Survivor i.e., counselling or other pastoral support

Contact Thirtyone:eight and in discussion with them will consider appropriate action with regards to the scale of the concern.

Allegations of abuse against a person who works with children/young people:

If an accusation is made against a worker (whether a volunteer or paid member of staff) whilst following the procedure outlined above, the Safeguarding Lead, will:

Make a referral to the LocalAuthority Designated Officer -LADO (England and Wales), Child’s Named Person (Scotland) or the Gateway Team (Northern Ireland) whose function is to handle all allegations against adults who work with children and young people whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.

Make a referral to the relevant Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS (England and Wales), Disclosure Scotland (Scotland) or AccessNI (Northern Ireland) for consideration of the person being placed on the barred list for working with children or adults with care and support needs. This decision should be informed by the Local Authority Designated Officer (England and Wales), Children’s Social Care (Scotland) or the Gateway Team (Northern Ireland) if they are involved.

Share information about the concern with the police, police, police Scotland or Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Allegations of abuse against a person who works with adults with care and support needs:

The safeguarding Lead will:

Liaise with Adult Social Care (England, Wales, Scotland) or Adult Social Work Services (Northern Ireland) to establish whether this can be investigated under their safeguarding processes.

Make a referral to the relevant Disclosure and Barring Service DBS (England and Wales), Disclosure Scotland (Scotland) or AccessNI (Northern Ireland) following the advice of Adult Social Services.

Share information about the concern with the police, police, police Scotland or Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The legislation across all four UK nations (The Care Act 2014, Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, Adult Safeguarding: Prevention and Protection in Partnership key documents 2015 (Northern Ireland) and Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014) places the duty upon Adult Social Care to investigate situations of harm to adults with care and support needs. This may result in a range of options including action against the person or organisation causing the harm, increasing the support for the carers or no further action if the ‘victim’ chooses for no further action and they have the capacity to communicate their decision. However, this is a decision for Adult Social Care to decide not the organisation.

Allegations of non-recent sexual abuse from an adult:

If an accusation is made of non-recent sexual abuse from a child, the procedure in relation to sexual abuse will be followed (please see above).

If an accusation is made of non-recent sexual abuse from an adult, the Safeguarding Lead will:

Give the adult the option to report this to the Police (England and Wales), Police Scotland or Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI). If the adult does not wish to report this to the police, then the Safeguarding Lead can pass on the information relating to the alleged Perpetrator, however, must not share details of the Survivor.

If the alleged Perpetrator is in a role working or volunteering with children or young people, make a referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer -LADO(England and Wales), Children’s Social Care (Scotland) or the Gateway Team (Northern Ireland) whose function is to handle all allegations against adults who work with children and young people whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.

If the alleged Perpetrator is in a role working with adults with care and support needs, liaise with Adult Social Care (England, Wales, Scotland) or Adult Social Work Services (Northern Ireland) to establish whether this can be investigated under their safeguarding processes.

If the alleged Perpetrator is in a role within NLCC, contact Thirtyone:eight and in discussion with them will consider appropriate action with regards to the scale of the concern.

Please see Appendix 6 for a) Flowchart for action Children and Young people

Flowchart for Action Adults at Risk

Flowchart for Online Abuse

Section 6

Well being Support and Pastoral Care

Supporting those affected by abuse

The Leadership is committed to offering well being support/pastoral care, working with statutory agencies as appropriate, and support to all those who have been affected by abuse who have contact with or are part of the church.

Please see below the details for the individual responsible for well being support/pastoral care:

Name: Geoff Newton

Tel: 0113 250 6840

Email: gnewton@newlifeyeadon.org

Working with those who may pose a risk

When someone attending the church is known to pose a potential risk to children, or adults with care and support needs; the Leadership will supervise the individual concerned and offer wellbeing support/pastoral care, but in its safeguarding commitment to the protection of children and adults with care and support needs, set boundaries for that person, which they will be expected to keep. These boundaries will be based on a risk assessment and through consultation with appropriate external parties.Adoption of the policy

This policy was agreed by the leadership and will be reviewed annually

Signed by: Position:

Signed by: Position

Date:

APPENDIX 1:

Safeguarding statement

Policy Statement on Safeguarding

To be displayed in a prominent place

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS POLICY STATEMENT

For New Life Community Church , Yeadon

The following statement was agreed by the Leadership and Trustees on: Wednesday 9th July 2025

This place of worship 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 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 New Life Community Church.

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 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 all relevant legislation including, but not limited to; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, 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 national and local developments relating to safeguarding.

Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this place of worship.

Supporting all in the place of worship affected by abuse.

We recognise:

Children’s Social Care (England, Wales, Scotland), Gateway Services (Northern Ireland) 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, police Scotland or Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) 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 Leads for this place of worship.

Pat Williams________________________________________Safeguarding Lead

Carol Comrie______________________________________ Deputy Safeguarding Lead

A copy of this policy can be seen on request from :

Geoff Newton, Senior Leader or Denise Arnott, Chair of Trustees

Signed __________________________ ________________________

__________________________ ________________________

Date __________________________

*delete as appropriate

APPENDIX 2

Further areas of concern not currently listed as types of abuse with some definitions i:Children

Child on child abuse

Child sexual exploitation (CSE)

Child criminal exploitation (CCE) children groomed and coerced into living lives pf violence, once involved it seems impossible to get out

Radicalisation

Domestic abuse- within families, affects children and adults, coercive control, threatening, violent, gaslighting, controlling finances

Bullying

So-called honour abuse-Child abuse linked to faith- female genital mutilation, severe discipline due to cultural beliefs, forced marriage, witchcraft.

Fabricated and induced illness- parents exaggerate symptoms or make them ill for some abusive purpose, do not approach a parent.

Adults

Extremism and radicalisation

Cuckooing- a vulnerable adult has their home taken over by others who then use it for criminal activities

Mate crime- people come alongside a vulnerable person and pretend to develop a friendship, they then begin to take money bu tit can lead to physical abuse and murder

Hate crime

Stalking/harassment

Spiritual abuse

Romance fraud

Catfishing- financial abuse, vulnerable people are coaxed into taking explicit images of themselves which are then used to extort money. Its not illegal to create a false identity online but when that is used for financial gain that is illegal. People on dating sites can be especially vulnerable to this

Sextortion - Online blackmail threatening to expose images, 15-17 yrs and under 30’s prone to this and many suicides have resulted but there is now an online tool which can be used to delete the images.

Appendix 3

Safeguarding- Useful contacts for signposting

Disability issues

www.throughtheroof.org - Through the roof is a specifically Christian agency working with churches on disability issues. 01732 737011

www.childline.org.uk 08001111 - An advice site and phone service that children and young people can use to talk through their problems.

www.kidscape.org.uk 08451205204 - National charity publishing booklets and information on self- protection skills for children and how to keep children safe.

www.urbansaints.org/allinclusive Training for children and youth workers to make churches accessible for disabled children and young people.

Click CEOP is a resource for children and young people worried about online abuse to report concerns

Young Minds is a national charity supporting the mental health of young people

ChildNet International is a non-profit organisation working to help make the internet a safe place for children

Abuse

Local Children Social Services 0113 2224403

Local Adult Social Services 0113 2477605

Out of hours emergency for both 0113 2409536

Police Child Protection Team 0113 2413459

My Child has been abused

Here are some useful websites and resources and phone numbers when dealing with the area of child abuse:

Association of Christian Counsellors 

Childline 0800 1111

Kidscape 0845 120 5204

NSPCC 0808 800 5000

MindinfoLine 0845 766 0163

Online abuse concerns

www.ceop.police.uk (CEOP Child exploitation online preotection)

Thinkuknow powered by CEOP excellent resources for training young people in digital reslience

COPPA Childrens online privacy protection act

Common Sense Media gives an overview of any app and a rating based on opinions form experts, parents, young people and children

Internet matters excellent online safety guides for parents/carerson popular apps, games and devices

Whose responsibility is Safeguarding?
Local authorities have overarching responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people in their area and their statutory responsibilities and responses are outlined in Working Together to safeguard children guidance of 2018.
The guidelines in relation to adults , those over 18 years of age, now fall under the definitions and recommendations of Care Act 2014 and this replaces the previous legislation from ‘No Secrets’ (Department of Health 2000). It is important to recognise that whilst local authorities play a lead role, safeguarding children and adults from harm is everyone's responsibility.

You can always ring 31:8’s 24 hour helpline –        0303 0003 1111 - if you need advice

If immediate action needed call the Police or Children's Services. LADO - Local Authority Designated Officer will be informed later.

If less urgent contact LADO first

Useful information

thirtyone:eight , PO Box 133, Swanley,
Kent, BR8 7UQ
Helpline: 0303 003 1111
Email: info@thirtyoneeight.org

NSPCC, Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH
Help for children/young people: 0800 1111
Help for adults: 0808 800 5000

ChildLine – free and confidential number: 0800 1111

DBS helpline – 0300 123 1111

Charity Commission – 0300 066 9197 or email directly from their website
www.charity-commission.gov.uk

Care Quality Commission,
CQC National Correspondence,
Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA
Telephone: 03000 616161

OFSTED have a whistleblower hotline.
There may be times when council employees and those working with young children will want to report to them concerns about practices and procedures for the safeguarding of children and young people.
Telephone: 0300 123 3155 (Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm).
Email: whistleblowing@ofsted.gov.uk.
WBHL, Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2WD.
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/

Appendix 4

Additional Policies referred to in the Safeguarding Policy

Codes of Conduct

Online Safety Policy

Social Media and Acceptable Use Policy

Anti- Bullying Policy

Whistle blowing Policy

Complaints Policy and Procedure

!a) Code of Conduct applicable to all children or youth workers

The worker will at all times treat children, young people and vulnerable adults with dignity and respect. They will not respond aggressively, in a threatening way or abusively towards anyone in their care and will not invade personal space by pointing or shouting in close proximity to them.

A worker may not smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal substances in the presence of children or young people no matter how long an activity lasts.

Workers must dress suitably for whatever activities they engage in with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

They must not use swearing, profanity, belittling and/ or derogatory language.

They must report any concerns promptly to the Leader responsible for Children and Youth work. They will contact the Safe Guarding Lead if necessary.

A worker must not pass on personal and/or social media contact details or any contact that breaches the Social Media Policy

A worker must not develop inappropriate relationships with any under their care

They should work in an open environment and avoid private or unobserved situations

If discipline becomes an issue the guidelines given below should be followed:

Do not compare a child, young person or adult with another in the group; rather encourage and affirm and, if possible, give them responsibility for appropriate tasks.

Build healthy relationships and be a good role model by setting an example. You can't expect others to observe the ground rules if you break them yourself.

Take care to give the quieter and/or well behaved attention and resist allowing the demanding individuals to take all your time and energy.

Be consistent in what you say and ensure that other team members know what you have said. This avoids manipulation.

If children and young people in particular are bored they often misbehave, so review your programme regularly.

NEVER smack or hit anyone and don't shout. Change voice tone and speak louder if necessary.

Call on support from other leaders if you feel so angry you may deal with the situation unwisely.

Lay down ground rules e.g. no swearing, racism or calling each other names, respect for property, and make sure everyone understands what action will be taken if not adhered to.

Every person is unique and will respond in different ways to different forms of discipline. It follows therefore each child should be dealt with on an individual basis.  

For those who are continuously disruptive:

Have them sit right in front of you or get a helper to sit next to them.

Encourage helpers to be pro-active rather than waiting to be told to deal with a situation.

Challenge them to change their behaviour whilst encouraging their strengths.

Warn them you may speak to their parents/carers about their behaviour, they may be sent outside the room (under supervision), and may be banned from attending the group for a period of time.

Duty of Care

All workers have a duty of care towards those they are responsible for. Their position of trust must not be abused in any way. They will be seen as role models and must act appropriately

The worker should never:

use their position to gain access to information for their own or others’ advantage 

use their position to intimidate, bully, humiliate, threaten, coerce or undermine

use their status and standing to form or promote relationships that are or may become sexual

Where a person aged 18 or over is in a specified position of trust with a child under 18, or a vulnerable adult, it is an offence for that person to engage in sexual activity with or in the presence of that child or vulnerable adult, or to cause or incite that person to engage in or watch sexual activity.

Workers are required to sign the Declaration below to say they agree to abide by the expectations set out above

Breaching the Code of Conduct

If you have behaved inappropriately you will be subject to disciplinary procedures (particularly in the case of paid staff where the line manager will consult the safeguarding coordinator as appropriate). Depending on the seriousness of the situation, you may be asked to leave NLCC. We may also make a referral to statutory agencies such as the police and/or the local authority children’s or adult’s social care departments or DBS. If you become aware of a breach of this code, you should escalate your concerns to the safeguarding coordinator or line manager (in the case of a paid staff member).

Declaration

I agree to abide by the expectations outlined in this document and confirm that I have read the relevant policies that assist my work with vulnerable groups.

Name:

Signature: Date:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1b) Code of Conduct for all meetings and events at NLCC

To be displayed in church:

Church: New Life Community Church

Address: Haw Lane, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7XQ

CODE OF CONDUCT IN MEETINGS AND AT EVENTS AT NLCC

YEADON

Based on the foundational truth of the Holy Bible in Genesis 1:26 - 27, New Life Community Church believes all humans were created equal, with equal worth and dignity, regardless of race, age, sex or background. We are committed to cultivating a welcoming, fair, and just environment that is caring and encourages respect for everyone. To support this we have developed a code of conduct for the behaviour and management we would like to foster at our Church services, meetings, interactions and events.. This code of conduct applies to anyone accessing the premises of New Life Community Church at anytime

Expected Behaviour

Treat everyone with respect and consideration.

Communicate openly and thoughtfully with others, and be considerate of the multitude of views and opinions that are different from your own.

Be respectful and mindful in your critique of ideas.

Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert Leadership/Trustees if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.

Respect the policies of the church.

Unacceptable Behaviour

Harassment and intimidation, including any verbal, written, or physical conduct designed to threaten, intimidate, or coerce another church member, leader, volunteer, guest or anyone hiring the premises.

Discrimination against anyone based on sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, or culture.

*Any type of emotional or psychological abuse designed to force, coerce, pressurise or radicalise anyone attending meetings or activities under the auspices of NLCC.

Physical or verbal abuse of any member, guest, speaker, leader, employee, volunteer, or any person hiring the facilities.

Examples of unacceptable behaviour also include, but are not limited to: inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations; threatening or stalking any meeting participant; sexually harassing any meeting participant.

Disrespectful disruption of church services or any other meetings held on the site of New Life Community Church

Consequences

Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.

New Life Community Church, (or their designee) may take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting or event.

New Life Community Church reserve the right to prohibit attendance at any future meetings and events.

Reporting Unacceptable Behaviour

If you are the subject of unacceptable behaviour or have witnessed any such behaviour, please immediately notify any of the leadership team or trustees

via email info@newlife.org or write to the Administrator, c/o New Life Community Church, Haw Lane Yeadon Leeds LS197 XQ

Reporting should never be done via social media as it may not be picked up straight away by those who are accountable.

Online safety Policy

Online Safety definition:

Online safety is the collective term for safeguarding involving the use of electronic devices and applications to communicate and access the Internet; often referred to as Information and Communications Technology.

Guidelines/Rules for Workers/Volunteers

Generally, maintain good and open relationships with parents and carers regarding communication with them and their children.

Use an appropriate tone: friendly, but not over-familiar or personal.

Be warm and friendly, but do not suggest or offer a special relationship.

Be clear and explicit about information that you need to share; don’t abbreviate or short-cut your communications.

Be cautious in your communications with children to avoid any possible misinterpretation of your motives or any behaviour which could be construed as grooming.

Do not share any personal information with children, or request or respond to any personal information from a child other than that which might be appropriate as part of your role.

Only make contact with children for reasons related to the work of NLCC and maintain records of all electronic contact with individuals or groups, including messaging and texting.

Workers and volunteers may use personal equipment in accordance with the other stipulations of this policy.

Respect a child’s right to confidentiality unless abuse/harm is suspected or disclosed.

NLCC’s domain/logo should be used on any public online post which represents it.

Email should only be used to communicate specific information. (e.g. times and dates of events). It should not be used as a relationship building tool.

Email History should be kept and dated.

Electronic communication with children should take place between the hours of 9am-5pm. Online activities taking place outside of these hours will be planned in advance.

Video conferencing and calling

When using video conferencing platforms, the following shall be observed:

Consent is sought for children/young people.

A minimum of 2 leaders will be present.

Appropriate locations will be used for participants.

Participants will wear suitable attire.

Avoid 1 to 1 video calls with young people unless agreed in advance with your supervisor/line manager and with the knowledge of the parents

3.Social Media and Acceptable Use Policies

All social media interaction between workers, paid or voluntary, and children under 18 shall be limited to monitored/administrated groups.

Social media groups for young people will be moderated by two leaders or more.

Text and any other media posted shall be subject to the acceptable use policy.

All interaction on social media groups shall be recorded for safeguarding purposes.

Any private messages shall be recorded for safeguarding purposes.

Any safeguarding concerns/allegations arising from social media shall be referred onto the safeguarding co-ordinator.

All users of social media must be above the minimum age limit which is usually 13+.

Workers should ensure their privacy settings are set to the highest levels to restrict children being able to see any more than what is relevant to communication within the group.

All social media groups should provide links to statutory authorities such as CEOP (Child Exploitation Online Protection), to enable children to report online abuse.

Consent for photographic images and videos online

Photographs that include children will be selected carefully and will endeavour to prevent children from being easily identified.

Children’s full names will not be used on the website in association with their photographs.

Parental consent will be sought before any images are taken or displayed and images will only be used for the specific purpose for which permission was sought for and how the image will be stored if not destroyed. If the intention is to use an image on the internet this must be clearly stated and further permission must be acquired if an image is to be used in a way not originally stated.

The consent forms “Using Images of Children” must be completed by Parent/Carer and the worker who is intending to use images

Use of images will reflect diversity of age, ethnicity and gender of the activity.

Live streaming of events must be clearly advertised in advance and where children are involved permission should be sought in line with the photographic guidelines.

Acceptable Use Policy

Where access to the internet is provided on our NLCC devices or devices owned by an individual via our WiFi, we will exercise our right to monitor usage which includes access to websites, interception and deletion of inappropriate or criminal material or unlawfully copied text, video, images or sound.

Social media groups must be used in compliance with NLCC’s policy on social media.

Children and Workers should not:

Search for or download pornographic, racist or hate motivated content.

Illegally copy or play copyrighted content where permission has not been given.

Send, request or display offensive messages or pictures.

Harass, insult or bully others.

Access the internet using another person’s login details.

Access, download, send or receive any data (including images), which NLCC considers offensive in any way, including sexually explicit, discriminatory, defamatory or libellous material.

Sanctions for violating the acceptable use policy in the opinion of NLCC may result in:

A temporary or permanent ban on internet use.

Additional disciplinary action in line with existing practice on inappropriate language or behaviour.

Where applicable, police or local authorities may be involved.

Parent/ Carer Agreement to be signed in the box below

As the parent/guardian of ___________________________ I declare that I have read and understood the Online Safety Acceptable Use policy for NLCC and that my child will be held accountable for their own actions. I understand that it is my responsibility to set standards for my child when selecting, sharing and exploring online information and media.

Child/YP Agreement

I understand the importance of safety online and the church guidelines on Acceptable Use.

I will share any concerns, where I or another person may be at risk of harm with the safeguarding coordinator or a trusted adult.

4.Anti-bullying Policy

Objectives of this policy

All children, workers, parents and carers should be aware of the anti-bullying policy within NLCC and what they should do if bullying arises

All workers should have an understanding of what bullying is, be aware of possible signs it is happening and follow the policy when it is reported 

Children and parent/carers should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported 

Definition of bullying

Bullying is behaviour by an Individual or group, repeated over time and that intentionally hurts another individual or group physically or emotionally and is often motivated by prejudice against particular groups, for example on grounds of race, religion,culture, sex, gender, homophobia, special educational needs and disability. It may also be because a child is adopted or is a carer. It may occur directly or through cyber-technology (websites, mobile phones, text messages, photographs and email)

Prevention

Strategies can be adopted to prevent bullying.  As and when appropriate, these may include:

Writing a set of group rules

Signing a behaviour contract

Having discussions about bullying and why it matters

Procedures

Report the bullying incident to children’s leaders by completing the form “Concern about bullying”

Ensure that details are carefully checked before action is taken

In all cases of bullying, the incidents should be recorded by the worker

Consideration should be given to informing the parents/carers of the bully, but this should only be done if workers are satisfied there is no bullying/abuse going on at home that might exacerbate the situation   

If it is thought that an offence has been committed, consideration should be given to contacting the police

The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and  stopped quickly

Help should be offered to help the bully address his/her behaviour

Outcomes

The children’s worker involved in dealing with the incident should issue a warning to the child concerned

An apology should be given by the child who has bullied another

If possible, those involved will be reconciled

Whistle blowing Policy

New Life Community Church Whistleblowing Policy

Introduction

By actively developing a healthy culture of openness NLCC wants to encourage employees to raise issues which concern them in church. As an organisation we want to observe high standards of business and personal ethics within the conduct of staff duties and responsibilities. A healthy culture is one where we practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities and we comply with all applicable laws and regulations. NLCC’s understanding of a healthy culture is one that is based on our Statement of Faith and our Community Standards. We endeavour to train all our workers and volunteers in Whistleblowing law and the organisation’s policies.

Whistleblowing definition:

According to ACAS, Whistleblowing constitutes:

“By law, there are several issues you can whistle blow about. These are called 'qualifying disclosures'.

Qualifying disclosures include:

a criminal offence – for example, an employer has been trying to bribe people

the breach of a legal obligation by an organisation – for example, an employer has neglected their duty of care towards children in a care home

a miscarriage of justice – for example, a member of staff has been dismissed for something that turned out to be a computer error

someone's health and safety being in danger – for example, an employer has forced staff to serve contaminated food

damage to the environment – for example, an employer has been regularly polluting local rivers

You can also whistle blow about someone trying to cover up information about any of these issues.”

Personal grievances (E.G. bullying, harassment, discrimination) are not covered by whistleblowing law, unless it is in the public's interest. These would be addressed through the complaint's procedure.

How does the whistleblowing process work?

If an employee or member of the congregation is concerned about any form of malpractice, they should normally first raise the issue with their line manager/Safeguarding coordinator. This can be done at any time, either verbally or in writing.

If they feel they cannot tell their line manager/Safeguarding coordinator, for whatever reason (e.g. the malpractice issue the employee/congregant wishes to raise may involve their line manager or a person who is a friend of the line manager/the matter is so serious it should be brought to the attention of senior leadership) they should raise the issue with their line manager’s manager; a prescribed person or their third party manager.

If the employee/congregant feels they cannot raise it with any of the above, they can raise the malpractice issue with the Chair of Trustees/Senior Leader

The whistleblower does not need to provide evidence to support their concern.

You can whistle blow anonymously (using the organisation’s process); however, NLCC might not be able to take the claim any further, if there isn’t enough information to follow.

Our Response

After an employee/congregant has raised a concern, NLCC will decide how to respond in a responsible and appropriate manner. Usually this will involve making internal enquiries first, but it may be necessary to carry out an investigation at a later stage which may be formal or informal depending on the nature of the concern raised. External investigators may be brought in where necessary. NLCC will endeavour to complete investigations within a reasonable time, which will be communicated at each stage of the investigation.

NLCC will keep the employee/congregant informed of the progress of the investigation carried out and when it is completed. NLCC will not be able to inform them of any matters which would infringe the duty of confidentiality owed to others; however, NLCC will take reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of the whistleblower, where requested (unless required by law to break that confidentiality).

If the whistleblower is anonymous, NLCC cannot guarantee feedback can be given and the action of looking into a concern could be limited.

Employees/congregants will not be opening themselves up to detrimental treatment, retribution or risking their job security by whistleblowing, and all staff have organisational protection if they raise concerns in the right way. Any person who victimises a bona fide whistleblower will be liable to disciplinary action and liable to an employment tribunal claim (which may include liability for unlimited damages) brought by the whistleblower against them personally. To ensure the protection of all our employees/congregants, those who maliciously make an allegation, they do not reasonably believe to be true and/or made in the public interest, may also be liable to disciplinary action.

If you are not happy with how NLCC handle the whistleblowing, you can contact:

Protect - Speak up stop harm - Whistleblowing Homepage

Work and employment law advice | Acas

Government's guidance on Whistleblowing:

Whistleblowing for employees: What is a whistleblower - GOV.UK (England / Wales / Scotland)

Whistleblowing - mygov.scot (Scotland)

Blowing the whistle on workplace wrongdoing | nidirect (Northern Ireland)

Written Statement - Whistleblowing (17 April 2013) | GOV.WALES (Wales)

What someone can whistleblow about - Whistleblowing at work - Acas)

NSPCC whistleblowing line on 0800 028 0285 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.

6.Complaints Policy and Procedures

INTRODUCTION

New Life Community Church, as a body seeks to reflect the upright character and nature of Jesus Christ. However, we recognise that as with any group of people, we may from time to time receive complaints. We view complaints as an opportunity to learn and improve for the future, as well as a chance to try and put things right for the person or organisation that has made the complaint.

Our policy is:

To provide a fair complaints procedure which is clear and easy to use for anyone wishing to make a complaint.

To ensure that information on how to contact us to make a complaint is easy and clear to access.

To make sure everyone in leadership and governance at New Life Community Church knows what to do if a complaint is received.

To make sure all complaints are investigated fairly and in a timely way.

To try and ensure sure that complaints are, wherever possible, resolved and that relationships are restored.

To gather and utilise information which helps us to improve what we do.

DEFINITION OF A COMPLAINT

A complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction, whether justified or not, about any aspect of New Life Community Church; encompassing our personnel, activities and services.

Where Complaints Come From

Complaints may come from any individual, volunteer or organisation who has a legitimate interest in

New Life Community Church, including the public, if something is perceived to be improper. A complaint can be received verbally, by phone, by email or in writing. (This policy does not cover whistleblowing or complaints from employees, which are covered in separate New Life Community Church policy & procedure documents)

Confidentiality

All complaint information will be handled sensitively, telling only those who need to know and following any relevant data protection requirements.

Responsibility

Overall responsibility for this policy and its implementation lies with the trustees of New Life Community Church

.

Review

This policy is reviewed regularly and updated as required.

New Life Community Church Complaints Procedure

PUBLICISED CONTACT DETAILS FOR COMPLAINTS:

Complaints may be made through any of NLCC’s Leadership Team, paid employees, or trustees. Written complaints should be addressed to the Chair of Trustees and sent to: New

Life Community Church Haw Lane, Yeadon, LS19 7XQ

Email to: info@newlifecommunitychurch.org.uk

Telephone: 0113 250 6246

If the Chair of Trustees is the person being complained about then the complaint should be addressed to the Secretary of the Trustees and sent to the church address.

NB. It is important to say that if the complaint or concern or allegation is related to potential harm or risk of harm to a child under 18 or adult at risk, this policy/procedure is not appropriate. Please follow the policy and procedure regarding potential abuse of vulnerable groups.

RECEIVING COMPLAINTS

Complaints received by telephone or in person need to be recorded.

The person who receives a phone or in person complaint should:

Write down the facts of the complaint, checking back with the person raising the complaint, for accuracy.

Take the complainant's name, address, and telephone number.

Note down the relationship of the complainant to NLCC, e.g., donor, volunteer, sponsor.

Give these notes to the Chair of Trustees to be kept confidentially in the secure filing cabinet

Tell the complainant that we have a complaints procedure.

Tell the complainant what will happen next and how long it will take.

Where appropriate, ask the complainant to send a written account by post or by email so that the complaint is recorded in the complainant’s own words.

RESOLVING COMPLAINTS Stage 1

The aim is to resolve the situation by reconciliation of those involved and therefore needs to be instigated as soon as possible within 3-5 days. The resolution may take place by discussion, negotiation or mediation.

It is likely that this may resolve the situation without minimising or ignoring the concerns expressed. It may be that there has been a misunderstanding which can be quickly resolved.

In many cases, a complaint is best resolved by the person responsible for the issue being complained about. If the complaint has been received by that person, they may be able to resolve it swiftly and should do so if possible and appropriate.

Whether or not the complaint has been resolved, the complaint information should be passed to the NLCC designated person(s) (currently the Chair of Trustees) within five business days. On receiving the complaint, the designated person should ensure confidentiality by storing the notes in a file in the secure filing cabinet.

Complaints should be acknowledged by the person handling the complaint within five working days. The acknowledgement should say who is dealing with the complaint and when the person complaining can expect a reply. A copy of this complaints procedure should be attached. Ideally complainants should receive a definitive reply within a month. If a definitive reply due to, for example, an investigation not being fully completed, a progress report should be sent to the complainant with an indication of when a full reply will be given. Whether the complaint is justified or not, the reply to the complainant should describe the action taken to investigate the complaint, the conclusions from the investigation, and any action taken as a result of the complaint.

If the initial complaint is not resolved, an appropriate person to investigate it and to take appropriate action may be delegated.

If the complaint relates to a specific person, they should be informed and given a fair opportunity to respond.

Stage 2

If the complainant feels that the problem has not been satisfactorily resolved at Stage 1, they can request that the complaint is reviewed at trustee level.

At this stage, the complaint will be passed to the Trustees. The request for trustee- level review should be acknowledged within five working days of receiving it. The acknowledgement should say who will deal with the case and when the complainant can expect a reply.

The Trustees may investigate the facts of the case themselves or delegate a suitably senior person to do so. This may involve reviewing the paperwork of the case and speaking with the person who dealt with the complaint at Stage 1.

The person who dealt with the original complaint at Stage 1 should be kept informed of what is happening.

If the complaint relates to a specific person, they should be informed and given a further opportunity to respond. Ideally complainants should receive a definitive reply within a month.

If this is not possible because for example, an investigation has not been fully completed, a progress report should be sent with an indication of when a full reply will be given. Whether the complaint is upheld or not, the reply to the complainant should describe the action taken to investigate the complaint, the conclusions from the investigation, and any action taken because of the complaint.

The decision taken at this stage is final, unless the trustees board decides it is appropriate to seek external assistance with resolution.

External Stage

As New Life Community Church is a UK registered charity, the complainant can complain to the Charity Commission at any stage. Information about the kind of complaints the Charity Commission can involve itself in can be found on their website at:

https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-charity

The Church is a member of Thirtyone eight Christian Safeguarding Charity and the complainant may wish to ask for their advice by ringing their helpline 030300031111

VARIATION OF THE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

The Trustees may vary the procedure for good reason. This may be necessary to avoid a conflict of interest.

MONITORING AND LEARNING FROM COMPLAINTS

Complaints will be reviewed at least annually to identify any trends which may indicate a need to take further action.

This policy will be reviewed annually