The North Lea Valley Area of Shared Ministry (‘Area’) believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by a commitment to practice which protects them.

Definition of ‘Child’

A child is recognised as a person who has not attained the age of 18 years.

We recognise that:

• the welfare of the child/young person is paramount
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and their agencies, is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

The purpose of the policy:

• To provide protection for the children and young people who attend The North Lea Valley Area of Shared Ministry worship or activities, or receive services from the Area, including the children of adult members, congregation or visitors.
• To provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm.

This policy applies to everyone working in or on behalf of the Area.

The Area will seek to safeguard children and young people by:

• valuing them, listening to and respecting them
• adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
• sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
• sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.

We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

The North Lea Valley Area of Shared Ministry (‘the Area’) believes that it is always unacceptable for any adult to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all individuals by a commitment to practice which protects those individuals who are vulnerable.

Definition of Vulnerable Adult

An adult (a person aged 18 or over) is classed as vulnerable when they are receiving one or more of the following:

• Health care
• Relevant personal care
• Social care work
• Assistance in relation to general household matters by reason of age, illness or disability
• Relevant assistance in the conduct of their own affairs
• Assistance in mobility and travel due to age, illness or disability.

We recognise that:

• the welfare of the vulnerable adult is paramount
• all individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
• working in partnership with vulnerable adults, their families, carers and agencies is essential in promoting an individual’s welfare.

The purpose of the policy:

• To provide protection for vulnerable adults who attend The North Lea Valley Area of Shared Ministry worship or activities, or receive services from the Area, including members, congregation or visitors.
• To provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect an individual may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm.

This policy applies to everyone working in or on behalf of the Area.

We will seek to safeguard vulnerable adults by:

• valuing them, listening to and respecting them
• adopting vulnerable adult guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
• sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with individuals, families, staff and volunteers
• sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving individuals, families and carers appropriately
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.

We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.