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Shanklin United Reformed Church (SURC) is
committed to safeguarding in every area of its life and ministry.
This Policy Statement was adopted by the church
meeting on 26th March
2026.
Safeguarding is the action taken to
promote and protect the well-being and human rights of individuals. This
means we will:
-
do
all we
can to
create and
maintain a
safe and caring
environment for all
people
-
respond promptly and effectively to any form of abuse and neglect,
including reporting abuse to statutory agencies as necessary
-
seek
to prevent
abuse in
any form
from
occurring.
We will seek
to identify individuals who may pose a risk to others and take necessary
actions to minimise risk whilst supporting these individuals in our
communities when safe to do so.
SURC confirms
that safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone: to prevent abuse and
neglect of children and adults; to act upon concerns of abuse; and to
support the well-being of each person within all communities in which the
church is placed. Safeguarding is a requirement and a duty in all ministries
of the church.
Safeguarding
in SURC is supported by relevant policies, practices, guidance and training.
SURC
acknowledges that the
well-being of the
child or
adult who
is experiencing
or is at risk of
experiencing abuse, harm and neglect is paramount, and it will always act in
their best interests, in line with national legislation, relevant statutory
guidelines and good practice guidance. We will operate in line with the
Human Rights Act 1988, the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of
the Child and the Equality Act 2010.
Our
Commitments
SURC will
adhere to
the policy
statement above
by committing
to:
-
promote safe and healthy cultures in which good practice standards in
safeguarding are updated and disseminated
-
ensure everyone in a position of trust is carefully
recruited/selected/appointed or elected and trained in safeguarding children
and adults at risk
-
respond promptly and appropriately to any safeguarding allegation or concern
(including reporting any allegations to statutory agencies)
-
care pastorally for all children and adults at risk and all those who have
experienced abuse in the past
-
ensure that all those who pose a risk to children or adults at risk, and
those who are the subject of allegations, receive appropriate pastoral care
and supervision
-
exercise
informed vigilance
about risks
in all
forms of
abuse and
neglect
-
work
together with
other denominations, statutory agencies
and voluntary
organisations as appropriate
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