Christians Aware Safeguarding Policy

Christians Aware safeguarding policy is put in place with the intention of protecting all who engage in or receive Christians Aware’s services in the UK or abroad. This provides staff, volunteers, trustees and interested parties with the principles that guide our approach to safeguarding protection. Our policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Christians Aware including staff and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers and students.

The policy is drawn up on the basis of legislation and guidance that seeks to safeguard people in the UK. A summary of the key legislation is available on the internet. The legal framework for safeguarding in visits within Europe, or to other continents, will follow the guidelines of the appropriate countries in relation to the UK.

Christians Aware recognises we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all, within our care, to keep them safe and to practice in a way that protects them. Abuse of any kind is unacceptable, whether it is spiritual, mental, physical or verbal.  Everyone is worthy of respect, regardless of age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or beliefs, and have a right to full protection from all types of bullying, harm or abuse.  We work in partnership with other agencies in promoting people’s welfare.  We are conscious that some people have vulnerabilities due to the impact of previous experiences, their level of independence and communication needs.

Christians Aware will continue to seek to keep those for whom it has responsibility, safe. We maintain protection and safeguarding best practice through our diocesan and denominational safeguarding policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers. We will steadily undertake effective safeguarding training for staff and volunteers, with any costs for training being met by Christians Aware.  In recruiting staff, and using volunteers and suitable tour leaders, we will ensure all necessary checks are made. We will promote an anti-bullying environment and deal appropriately with any bullying that arises, ensuring that we have effective complaints measures in place. We will provide a safe physical environment, in regard to the health and safety measures that are required. An annual evaluation will be made and reported to the Residential Trustees Meeting, to ensure best practice using professional safeguarding advice and support.

The role of the designated safeguarding officer is as a trustee for safeguarding. They will manage any safeguarding concerns, in relation to staff and volunteers. He/she will keep a record of staff and volunteers who have current DBS certificates, with their dates, and also those who have undertaken specific levels of safeguarding training.  The safeguarding officer will recommend who needs to renew DBS certificates or undertake a level of safeguarding training. Confidential details will be held in a lockable file under the supervision of the safeguarding officer.

Safeguarding training is available in each diocese and church district at their regional centres. The cost is usually free for unpaid workers, although there may be a small cost for those paid and employed. All ordained people are required to have completed and regularly update necessary safeguarding requirements. They also have to keep up to date their enhanced DBS certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service. This is not compulsory for lay members, but without keeping their DBS certificate up to date, they would not be able to hold office or perform their tasks. Safeguarding training alongside this creates awareness and nurtures respect for each other. Our policy should be read alongside our existing organisational policies and procedures. We are working to enable our workers to have both DBS and current safeguarding training in place.

John Bennett, one of our trustees, is the safeguarding officer for Christians Aware.
He can be contacted on: jrb.linton@btinternet.com <mailto:jrb.linton@btinternet.com>