Safeguarding   

West Kirby United Reformed Church is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk, and to ensuring their well-being.

During COVID-19, our safeguarding policy and procedures below still stand. In addition, the URC have provided the 'Quick Guide: Covid-19 and Safeguarding' with guidance specific to this time. Click the pink cover to go to the booklet.
Picture
Safeguarding ​Co-Ordinators:

A Safeguarding Co-Ordinator and Deputy Safeguarding Co-Ordinator are  appointed and commissioned by West Kirby United Reformed Church to respond to any safeguarding concerns.

​If you have any concerns about the safety or welfare of a child or adult in need of protection you can contact our Safeguarding Coordinator, Sarah Jackson, by email to sarahjackson6521[at]gmail.com. ​Sarah is a member of West Kirby URC and she co-ordinates the church’s safeguarding policy and procedure. ​Sarah is the first point of contact for safeguarding issues and is an advocate for good safeguarding practice.​

Sarah is supported by our Deputy Safeguarding Co-Ordinator, Lin Ryan, whose contact details are available in the church membership directory or via the staff team here. If ever there is something you couldn't share with Sarah, or if she is unavailable, you are very welcome to contact Lin.
Our Beliefs about Safeguarding:
  • We believe that all children and adults at risk should know that they are valued within the church and safely enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of our church.
  • We respect the personal dignity and rights of children and adults at risk (for example, as set out in the Human Rights Act 1989 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) and will ensure that our policies and procedures reflect this.
  • We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect of children under 18 years of age.
  • We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, discriminatory abuse and neglect of adults at risk.
  • We recognise that domestic abuse affects both adults and children and believe that domestic abuse in all its forms is unacceptable and inconsistent with a Christian way of living.
  • We will report any abuse of children or adults at risk that we discover or suspect.
  • ​Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed, the police will be contacted as a matter of urgency.
  • We recognise that Children’s Services has responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child, and that Adult Services do so for adults at risk.
  • We acknowledge that Local Authority Designated Officers (LADOs) have responsibility for dealing with all allegations and concerns about people working with children, whether paid or voluntary workers, lay or ordained.
  • We recognise that safeguarding is a whole church responsibility.​
We are committed to:
​
  • The establishment of a loving environment, which is safe and caring, and where there is an informed vigilance about the dangers of abuse.
  • Following the relevant legislation, statutory, denominational and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults at risk.
  • Ensuring that we keep up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.
  • Building constructive links with the relevant Voluntary and Statutory Authorities.
  • Taking all responsible steps to ensure that as a church, everyone works within the agreed procedures of our safeguarding policies.
  • Supporting the Safeguarding Co-Ordinator in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children and adults at risk.
  • Follow safer recruitment principles in the appointment and selection of all those who work with children and adults at risk, be they volunteer or paid staff, lay or ordained.
  • Supporting, supervising, resourcing and training all those who undertake work with children and adults at risk.
  • Ensuring that the children and adults we have contact with know that they are valued and feel empowered to tell us if they are suffering harm.
  • Reporting any abuse of children or adults at risk that we discover or suspect.
  • Supporting all those in our church community who are affected by abuse.
  • Encouraging those who might pose a risk to children or adults at risk in seeking appropriate support and guidance, whilst bearing in mind the overarching principle that the welfare of the child or adult is paramount. ​ ​
Formal Safeguarding Policy - Good Practice:

The Safeguarding Policy Statement above is part of a formal safeguarding policy, 'Good Practice', the most recent version of which is available to read here. Paper copies of Good Practice 4 are also available to borrow from the church office. ​​All those who work with children and adults at risk at West Kirby United Reformed Church have been DBS checked.
​Useful Contacts:

To help those with particular needs to contact specialists who can help them, our 'Useful Contacts' poster is displayed on our Safe Church noticeboard (located in the hall entrance) and in the toilets, and is also available to download here. 

​For information about online safety, Good Practice 4 recommends a visit to http://thinkyouknow.co.uk/

To find out more about safeguarding in the Mersey Synod of the URC, including contact details for the Synod Safeguarding Officer, click here.