• The Church is committed to the safeguarding of children, and of 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, emotional abuse and neglect of children (those under 18 years of age) and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
  • We believe every child should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that children we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are suffering harm.
  • We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, financial, discriminatory and other types of abuse and neglect of adults with care and support needs and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
  • We recognise the personal dignity and rights of adults and will ensure all our policies and procedures reflect this.
  • We believe all adults should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of the place of worship / organisation unless they pose a risk to the safety of those we serve.
  • We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of all those who will work with children and adults with care and support needs.

We are committed to:

  • Following UK legislation and guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults and ensuring that all workers work within the agreed procedures of our safeguarding policy.
  • Implementing the requirements of legislation in regard to people with disabilities.
  • Supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work.
  • Keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.
  • Ensuring that the Church and in particular everyone working with children / adults with care and support needs agrees to abide by the Safeguarding Policy and associated guidance documents.
  • Supporting all in the place of worship affected by abuse.

We recognise:

  • Lewisham Council Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are serious concerns about a child. Lewisham Adult Social Care (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are serious concerns about an adult with care and support needs.
  • Where an allegation of abuse suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.
  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

We will review this statement and our policy and procedures annually.

If you have any concerns for a child, or for an adult with care and support needs, then speak to one of the following who have been approved as Safeguarding Co-ordinators for GCB:

  • Nic Srinivasan, Safeguarding Co-ordinator
  • Simon Abrams, Deputy Safeguarding Co-ordinator
  • Lin Allen, Deputy Safeguarding Co-ordinator

A copy of the full policy and procedures is available from Nic Srinivasan. Please email gracechurchbrockley@gmail.com