The Church Leadership recognises the importance of its ministry to and work with children , young people and adults at risk, and its responsibility to protect everyone entrusted to its care. 

The following statement was agreed by the Trustees on __________________________ 

This place of worship/organisation is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults with care and support needs and to ensuring their well-being. 

Specifically: 

• We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect of children and young people (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 the children with whom we have contact know this and are empowered to tell us if they suffer harm. 

• All children and young people have the right to be treated with respect, to be listened to and to be protected from all forms of abuse. 

• We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent physical, sexual, psychological, financial and discriminatory abuse and neglect of adults who have care and support needs and to report to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputies any such abuse that is alleged, that we discover or that we suspect. 

• We recognise the personal dignity and rights of adults who find themselves victims of forced marriage or of modern slavery, and will ensure that all of 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 applicants who wish to work with children and adults with care and support needs. 

We are committed to:

• Following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and adults and good practice recommendations, 

• Respecting the rights of children as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 

• Implementing the requirements of legislation with regard to people with disabilities, 

• Ensuring that workers adhere to the agreed procedures of our safeguarding policy, 

• Keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding, 

• Following any denominational or organisational guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults in need of protection, 

• Supporting the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputies in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children / adults with care and support needs, 

• Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this place of worship/organisation, 

• Supporting parents and families, 

• Nurturing, protecting and safeguarding of children and young people, 

• Supporting, resourcing, training, monitoring and providing supervision to all those who undertake thiswork, 

• Supporting all in the Place Of Worship / Organisation affected by abuse, 

• Adopting and following the ‘Safe and Secure’ safeguarding standards developed by Thirtyone:Eight. 

We recognise:

• Children’s Social Services (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child. Adult Social Care (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs. 

• Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency. 

• Where working outside of the UK, concerns will be reported to the appropriate agencies in the country in which we operate, and their procedures followed, and in addition we will report concerns to our agency’s headquarters. 

• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. 

The Church Leadership will review this statement, our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures annually.

If you have any concerns for a child or adult with care and support needs, please contact one of the following who have been approved as Safeguarding Co-ordinators for this place of worship/organisation.

Rachel Cooper — Safeguarding Co-ordinator and Recruiter (tel. 07979 954010)

Jo Clarkson — Deputy Safeguarding Co-ordinator (tel. 07518 084232)

Chris Palmer — Deputy Safeguarding Co-ordinator (tel. 07714 664609)

Jill Pearson — Deputy Safeguarding Co-ordinator (tel. 07724 056048)

A copy of the full Safeguarding Policy is available from the Safeguarding Coordinator.

Freedom Church, Chester, behaviour code for working with children, young people and adults at risk of harm 

Purpose

This Code Of Conduct outlines the conduct expected of all workers (staff and volunteers). 

It aims to help protect adults at risk of harm, children and young people (YP) from abuse and inappropriate behaviour from those in positions of trust, and to reduce the risk of unfounded allegations of abuse being made.  

The Role Of Workers (paid staff and volunteers) 

When working with children and young people or adults at risk of harm, paid staff and volunteers are acting in a position of trust in Freedom Church. They will be seen as a role model and must act appropriately. 

Good Practice

Paid staff and volunteers must: 

• report safeguarding and other concerns without delay, 

• treat everyone with dignity, respect and fairness, and have proper regard for individuals’ interests, rights, safety and welfare, 

• work in a responsible, transparent and accountable way, 

• be prepared to challenge unacceptable behaviour or to be challenged regarding your own behaviour, 

• listen carefully to those you are supporting, 

• work in an open environment; avoid private or unobserved situations, 

• follow policies, procedures and guidelines and report all disclosures, concerns, allegations, and suspicions to the safeguarding team, 

• do explain to the individual what you intend to do and don’t delay taking action, 

• encourage and support all others equally 

• seek advice from someone with greater experience, when necessary, 

• be aware of and comply with the Freedom Church Online Safety Policy (Safeguarding Policy Appendix 2b). 

Unacceptable Behaviour

Paid staff and volunteers must not: 

• initiate any physical contact with a child/YP, including hugs; however, if the child/YP initiates a hug, this can be reciprocated but only briefly and in a public place; please refer to the FCC Safeguarding Policy, Appendix 8a Safer Touch Guidance, and Appendix 3 Prayer (Praying with others) when praying with children and YP, 

• behave in any way that could be perceived as bullying, emotional abuse, harassment, physical abuse, spiritual abuse or sexual abuse (including inappropriate physical contact such as rough play and inappropriate language or gestures), 

• make confidential promises in relation to safeguarding, 

• take unnecessary risks, 

• pass personal and/or social media contact details to any child/YP, or have any contact with them that breaches FCC’s Safeguarding Policy – Appendix 2b, Online Safety Policy, 

• develop inappropriate relationships, 

• smoke, vape or consume alcohol on church premises, or use illegal substances anywhere, 

• show favouritism towards or exclude others. 

Breaching The Code Of Conduct

If paid staff or volunteers behave inappropriately, they will be subject to disciplinary procedures (particularly in the case of paid staff where the line manager may consult the Safeguarding Coordinator when appropriate). Depending on the seriousness of the situation, they may be asked to leave Freedom Church. In addition, a referral to statutory agencies, e.g., the police and/or the Local Authority Designated Officer, DBS or Thirtyone:Eight. 

If paid staff or volunteers become aware of a breach of this Code Of Conduct, they must escalate their concerns to the Safeguarding Coordinator or, in the case of paid staff, their line manager. 

Declaration

I agree to abide by the expectations outlined in this document and confirm that I have read the relevant policies that assist my work with vulnerable groups. 

Name: …………………………………………………………. 

Signature: …………………………………………………………. 

Date: …………………………………………………………. 

Thirtyone:Eight Online Safety definition: 

Online safety is the collective term for safeguarding involving the use of electronic devices and applications to communicate and access the Internet; often referred to as Information and Communications Technology. An online safety policy should be adopted and adapted to reflect all communications between church/organisation’s workers and children (those under 18 years of age). 

Policy Guidelines For Church Workers/Volunteers

• Generally, maintain good and open relationships with parents and carers regarding communication with them and their children. 

• Use an appropriate tone: friendly, but not over-familiar or personal. 

• Be warm and friendly, but do not suggest or offer a special relationship. 

• Be clear and explicit about information that you need to share; don’t abbreviate or short-cut your communications. 

• Be circumspect in your communications with children to avoid any possible misinterpretation of your motives or any behaviour which could be construed as grooming. 

• Do not share any personal information with children, or request or respond to any personal information from a child other than that which might be appropriate as part of your role. 

• Do not give children or youth your personal contact details unless by prior agreement with the Safeguarding Team. This may be for such residential events as “NewDay,” but in such circumstances parents will be asked to ensure that the contact details are removed from the child/youth’s contact list after the event. 

• Only make contact electronically with children/youth via their parents and not directly with the child/youth. 

• Respect a child’s right to confidentiality unless abuse/harm is suspected or disclosed. 

• Ensure your church/organisation domain name/logo appears with every Internet post made by a church computer user. Any user may thus be viewed as a representative of your church/organisation while conducting business on the Internet. 

• Email should only be used to communicate specific information (e.g., times and dates of events). It should not be used as a relationship building tool. 

• Email History should be kept and dated. 

• Use of Zoom and any other web camera or visual communication via the internet is generally not permitted unless in a group setting. 

• Workers should refrain from using such methods on a one-to-one basis as they cannot be recorded. (It can be used for conference calls and is considered appropriate if a project or group uses a web camera/Zoom in a group environment for project purposes, and has clear aims and objectives for its use). 

• All social media interaction between workers, paid or voluntary, and children/youth under 18 shall be limited to monitored/administrated groups 

• Any safeguarding concerns/allegations arising from social media shall be referred to the Safeguarding Coordinator or a Deputy 

See Appendix 7a; Record Of Concern About A Child/Adult’s Safety And Welfare 

Consent For Photographic Images And Videos Online

• Permission will be obtained from parents/guardians before any images are taken or displayed and images will only be used for the specific purpose for which permission was sought for and how the image will be stored if not destroyed. If the intention is to use an image on the internet this must be clearly stated and further permission must be obtained if an image is to be used in a way not originally stated. 

• Photographs that include children will be selected carefully and will endeavour to prevent children from being easily identified. 

• Children’s names will not be used on the website in association with their photographs. 

• Live streaming of events must be clearly advertised in advance. 

Children, Youth and Church Workers Must Not:

• Search for or download pornographic, racist or hate-motivated content. 

• Illegally copy or play copyrighted content where permission has not been given. 

• Send, request or display offensive messages or pictures. 

• Harass, insult or bully others. 

• Access the internet using another person’s login details. 

• Access, download, send or open any received suspected data (including images) which Freedom Church Chester or Hope Church consider offensive in any way, including sexually explicit, discriminatory, defamatory or libellous material. 

Sanctions for violating this online safety policy may result in:

• A temporary or permanent ban on internet use. 

• Additional disciplinary action in line with existing practice on inappropriate language or behaviour. 

• Where applicable, police or local authorities may be involved. 

Many places of worship consider prayer a central part of their activities and pastoral care. This should be done sensitively, responsibly, and only by those appointed by the leadership to do so. 

It is important to make people aware, especially Parents/Carers of any children or young people who attend your activities, that prayer is part of your activities and that sometimes you may pray together as a group or with individuals at their request. 

All those involved in prayer ministry should know how to respond to any safeguarding concerns. 

When praying you must: 

• get the person’s permission before you pray with them (or from a parent/carer), 

• pray in an open area where other leaders are around, 

• be aware of safeguarding concerns and don’t delay in taking action, 

• reflect back what the person has said to show you have understood their prayer request, 

• use clear uncomplicated language and keep prayers simple so they can be understood, 

• avoid giving specific advice about problems involving decisions, and never advise someone to stop taking medication or receiving professional support for their care or welfare, 

• stop if the person becomes distressed, 

• never pressure someone into receiving prayer, 

• never promise total confidentiality. 

Praying with children and young people

Where there is a general invitation to receive prayer as part of a service or event, children’s workers should be available to pray with the children/young people. 

If someone requests that their child doesn’t participate in prayer, this must be respected. 

It can be helpful to write down what you have prayed about and give it to the child so that, if they want, they can let their parents/carers know and remember it themselves. 

Avoid praying ‘in tongues’ or any other language different from the child’s own as this can be confusing and alarming. 

A child or young person can be very susceptible to suggestion, so even if the children’s worker believes they have heard from God about the child/young person’s situation, they must talk this through with another leader first before talking about this with the child/young person. 

Avoid any physical contact as much as possible, such as putting your hand on their head. If you think they may appreciate some physical reassurance or comfort, always ask their consent first, e.g., an arm around the shoulder. 

Things to consider

Think about your body language, particularly in relation to things like your height and the height of the person you are praying for. Try to ensure you are on their level rather than standing over them, e.g., by having both the children’s worker and child sitting. 

Some places of worship believe that a child can have an evil spirit or be 'possessed' when they display behaviours, or are in some way different. A child or young person should never be told they are demonised, possessed or oppressed by the devil or by an evil spirit. 

Any religious, traditional or cultural practices such as prayers for deliverance or exorcism that cause significant harm to a child are a criminal offence and cannot be justified. Statutory authorities may investigate and take appropriate action to protect any children involved. 

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such that it causes severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development and conveying that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include: 

• not giving the child opportunities to express their views, 

• deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate 

It may feature: 

• age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children, 

• interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability, 

• overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, 

• preventing the child from participating in normal social interaction, 

• seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another, 

• serious bullying (including cyberbullying), 

• causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. 

Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur alone. 

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance misuse. Once a child is born, it may involve a parent failing to: 

• provide adequate food, clothing and shelter, including exclusion from home or abandonment, 

• protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger, 

• ensure adequate supervision, including the use of inadequate care givers, 

• ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment 

• it may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs. 

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.  Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child. 

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing.  They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse.  Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.  

Spiritual abuse is characterised by an ongoing systematic pattern of coercive control in a church/faith-based context. Key elements are manipulation, exploitation, control through the misuse and abuse of scripture and divine position, censorship of decision making, pressure to conform, enforced accountability, requirement of obedience and isolation.

The thought of having to deal with an allegation of abuse, or responding to a concern, may be something that fills you with fear and trepidation. What if I get it wrong? You worry: 'I might be making a mountain out of a molehill. Maybe I’ll forget what they said'. 

We have written this ‘Help’ guidance in order to steer you through the process, so stay calm, you can do this! 

Whose responsibility is Safeguarding?

Local authorities have overarching responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people in their area and their statutory responsibilities and responses are outlined in Working Together to safeguard children guidance of 2018. 

The guidelines in relation to adults, those over 18 years of age, now fall under the definitions and recommendations of Care Act 2014 and this replaces the previous legislation from ‘No Secrets’ (Department of Health 2000). It is important to recognise that whilst local authorities play a lead role, safeguarding children and adults from harm is everyone's responsibility. 

Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play. Faith organisations are mentioned within Working Together 2018 – ‘Voluntary, charity, social enterprise (VCSE) and private sector organisations and agencies play an important role in safeguarding children through the services they deliver. Some of these will work with particular communities, with different races and faith communities and delivering in health, adult social care, housing, prisons and probation services. They may as part of their work provide a wide range of activities for children and have an important role in safeguarding children and supporting families and communities'. This is important to note your responsibilities if you fall within this category as we can’t just leave it to the statutory agencies, schools, police and Children/Adult social care. 

The definitions for abuse of children, young people and adults with care and support needs can be found on the Thirtyone:Eight website within the online safeguarding manual. If unsure whether or not something needs to be referred to Children’s Social Services or the Police, or you just want support in doing so, contact our helpline. We will give advice over the phone and will confirm this to you in writing. 

*NB Applies to England but similar principles operate elsewhere in the UK. 

What is your role?

Your responsibility for reporting concerns will depend on your role. Because this is different from being a friend, worker with children, young people or adults care and support needs will need to: 

• listen carefully if someone is telling you about abuse – physical, sexual, emotional or neglect, 

• not ask questions – it could prevent them from saying more or you might put things in their mind that were not already there, 

• show acceptance of what you are told – even if it seems unlikely or too awful to be true; reassure the person that they have done the right thing in telling you and you are taking the information seriously, 

• not promise to keep the matter secret but explain that you may have to share what they say with others on a ‘need to know’ basis only; it will be the named people in your safeguarding policy, 

• explain what you intend to do and don’t delay in taking action, 

• ensure the immediate safety of the individual, 

• write notes stating what the person said, what you said in response, and an explanation of how the conversation took place; include the date, time and your signature, 

• consider medical intervention if required, 

• keep the notes, even if typed up, as they could be used as material evidence in court. 

If the concern is about what has been observed, for example bruises, marks, suspicions of neglect or sexually explicit/abusive behaviour, then it is important to write a full account of what was seen. Include: 

• the size, shape, colour, position on the body of any bruises or marks, consider taking a picture unless location of that picture is inappropriate; you may use a Body Map (See Appendix 7b), 

• the person’s appearance, e.g., ragged or dirty clothing, smell, emaciated body, pain or difficulty in moving, 

• any description of sexually explicit or abusive behaviour, 

• the date and time of your report, and your signature. 

The role of the safeguarding coordinator (also see ‘Help’…I’m a safeguarding coordinator) 

The safeguarding coordinator must be informed as soon as possible so that the appropriate action can be taken. All workers should know how to contact him or her. If the matter is urgent e.g. there is a need for medical intervention, it is unsafe for a child to return home or there is an allegation of sexual abuse, take immediate action. This action would include taking a child to hospital, if necessary, because of physical injury, informing Children’s Services (Children’s Social Care) or the Police if concerned about sexual abuse, neglect or physical abuse, or contacting Adult Social Services where the person concerned is a adult at risk. 

Who should be informed?

It is important to deal with allegations and suspicions of abuse in a confidential manner. The Children safeguarding co-ordinator should not inform the parents of a child or young person in any matter of sexual abuse or where there is concern that by doing so you place that child at risk of significant harm. 

The problem of the coordinator speaking to the parents beforehand is that parents could, quite understandably, become very upset and angry. They might confront or inadvertently alert an alleged abuser which might result in a child being silenced and an investigation by the authorities disrupted or ruined. 

Always check with Children’s Services as to whose task it will be to tell parents. Where an adult is not capable of making an informed decision then their relatives may be involved before contacting Adult Social Services, or contact directly if the relatives are implicated in some way. 

If you’re not sure what to do… 

• look at your safeguarding policy 

• see Thirtyone:Eight's online safeguarding manual which has a flow chart for action (in the Downloads section), 

• contact Thirtyone:Eight’s 24 hour helpline – 0303 0003 1111 - if you need advice, 

• do not delay when there are serious concerns, 

• once you have contacted the authorities (probably by phone initially) confirm your concern in writing. 

Giving support

Whatever action you may have to take, and even if the authorities are involved, don’t lose sight of the person or persons at the centre of the concern. Ensure that there is someone to whom they can turn for support but do not question the person concerned. If they give further information, then go through the process of listening and recording as already described. Usually a child will seek support and disclose to someone they trust. It will save the child having to repeat a disclosure if they have support from the person they initially disclosed to. (See ‘Help… how can I support a child). Don’t forget that abuse can affect many people – friends, families, workers and leaders too – and they may need some help. 

Remember Thirty:Eight is available to offer advice and support as you deal with these difficult areas. You may also have people in your organisation or denomination who can assist you or provide a listening ear. It is important to ensure that workers are themselves given adequate support when dealing with allegations of abuse. 

Ongoing involvement by the church/organisation

If the authorities are involved in investigating a child or adult protection matter, it will be important for the safeguarding coordinator or leader to co-operate fully in the inquiry. The notes and observations of workers could be used in any court proceedings and they might need to attend court to give evidence. 

Social workers might want the church or organisation to be part of any care plans that are made for the individual particularly where there is significant contact or input by them. 

What do I do about non-recent abuse?

If you are told by someone that when they were little they were sexually abused, but it doesn’t happen anymore, this is still a matter of concern. The person has alleged that someone has committed a sexual crime against them. You have to think about the consequences of doing nothing – could other children be at risk now from this person? 

You will also need to consider the age of the alleged victim. If they are an adult, they may or may not choose to make a formal complaint to the police. If you are concerned that the alleged abuser could pose a risk to children now, then you should point out to the person that they could decide to give the information to the police. Even if they decide not to make a formal statement, action can still be taken which would help to protect children. If the person is unable or unwilling to make a formal complaint to the police, then the safeguarding coordinator should speak to an officer in the Child Abuse Investigation team in their area (via 101). 

What do I do about an allegation against a worker or leader?

You are doing everything right – measures are in place to deal with allegations of abuse, workers are trained to listen and pass on concerns, there are procedures for reporting concerns and suspicions of abuse to statutory agencies and, of course, you might well use the Thirtyone:Eight helpline for additional advice and support. However, in spite of all your best efforts, no one can rule out the possibility of an allegation being made against a worker. Working together 2018 states that in line with Section II of the Children Act 2004 that: 

"Employers, school governors, trustees and voluntary organisations should ensure that they have clear policies in place setting out the process, including timescales for investigation and what support and advice will be available to individuals against whom allegations have been made. Any allegation against people who work with children should be reported immediately to a senior manager within the organisation or agency. The designated officer, or team of officers, should also be informed within one working day of all allegations that come to an employer’s attention or that are made directly to the police. If an organisation or agency removes an individual (paid worker or unpaid volunteer) from work in regulated activity with children (or would have, had the person not left first) because the person poses a risk of harm to children, the organisation or agency must make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service to consider whether to add the individual to the barred list. This applies irrespective of whether a referral has been made to local authority children’s social care and/or the designated officer or team of officers. It is an offence to fail to make a referral without good reason In addition the church insurance company (and your denominational safeguarding officer, if appropriate) is likely to want to know as well". 

In this sort of situation, you might wish to take immediate advice from Thirtyone:Eight who will help you deal with the matters appropriately and guide you in whom to contact and when. 

The role of LADOs (children)

Where immediate action is needed to protect a child or investigate a serious allegation, an immediate referral will need to be made to the Police or Children’s Social Care, after which the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) needs to be informed. In other less urgent situations contact the LADO first. Where appropriate the LADO will refer to police or Children’s Social Care if they have not been informed. 

Some less serious situations may not warrant police or Children’s Social Care investigation. LADOs are responsible for providing advice, liaison and monitoring the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent with a fair and thorough process. ‘Working Together’ stresses that procedures need to be applied by LADOs with ‘common sense and judgement’. If an allegation is substantiated then the LADO will advise whether a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service is required or advisable, and the form and content of the referral. 

See Appendix 6a LADO Procedure – Cheshire West & Chester [inc. Contact Details] 

See Appendix 6b LADO Procedure – Flintshire [inc. Contact Details] 

Disclosure and Baring Service

The task of the DBS is to make decisions as to whether an individual poses a risk to children and/or vulnerable adults, based on a full picture of all the circumstances relating to the person concerned. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 stipulates that organisations are under a statutory duty to refer relevant information to the DBS in certain circumstances. There is a requirement to inform the scheme where an individual (paid or volunteer) has been dismissed, or resigned (either prior to or following the conclusion of a disciplinary investigation), because they harmed, or may harm, a child or vulnerable adult. The DBS will assess each situation and if they are minded to bar (the person from working with children or vulnerable adults) the individual will be given the information and the opportunity to make representations. 

Workers should be assured that there are criminal sanctions that could be applied where there are malicious allegations. These could include offences related to wasting police time, perverting or attempting to pervert the course of justice, conspiracy and perjury. However, organisations such as, churches have nothing to worry about if they have passed on information received in good faith. If a worker is convicted of certain of the most serious offences then they will be automatically barred from working with children/vulnerable adults, without being able to make any representations. In less serious cases there is an autobar with the ability to make representations to the DBS for the situation to be reviewed. In other cases, the DBS will consider information (not just in relation to convictions) and can bar based on individual case assessment. 

Individuals would be informed that the DBS is ‘minded to bar’ and would be able to see all available information and be able to make representation (unless of course it is an autobar offence). A barred person loses their DBS registration and cannot engage in ‘regulated activity’. 

Charity Commission (children and adults)

Any incident that has taken place in a charity is considered serious and should be reported to the Charity Commission if it has resulted, or could result, in a significant loss of funds or a significant risk to the charity’s property, work, beneficiaries, or reputation. Suspicions, allegations and incidents of abuse or mistreatment of beneficiaries include incidents whilst under the care of the charity or by someone connected with the charity, such as a trustee, member of staff or volunteer. Such concerns must be reported if there are grounds to suspect that an incident may have occurred, whether or not the matter has been proved. Such matters would always be given immediate attention by the Charity Commission. The role of the Charity Commission is to assist the trustees where possible in restoring faith in the charity and other charities within the same sector (e.g. other places of worship). 

Regulators

If you have a project regulated and inspected by a government department or agency (e.g. OFSTED, Care Quality Commission in England, or equivalent elsewhere in the UK), there is an expectation that all safeguarding matters will be reported to them, especially if it involves the suspension of a worker. So if you provide a nursery, crèche or other early years provision or other social care service, the matter will need to be reported. Thirtyone:Eight are happy to advise places of worship and other organisations who contact our helpline as soon as concerns are raised. We will provide the necessary advice and support in responding appropriately to allegations and concerns and help you to ensure that the relevant authorities are contacted. 

Tick list - Allegation of abuse

Has the Safeguarding Coordinator/Deputy in my church/organisation been advised? 

☐ Have they either: Spoken to the statutory agencies as appropriate: Police? Children’s Social Care? Adult Social Services? 

☐ Or have they taken advice from Thirtyone:Eight? 

☐ Confirmation sent in writing to the relevant agency? Have they contacted someone from the denomination or organisational structure (e.g., ChristCentral Designated Safeguarding Lead) where appropriate? 

☐ Have they contacted our insurance company? 

☐ Where concerns involved a worker (paid or voluntary): 

☐ Does the matter suggest the DBS ‘harm test’ has been met and following an internal inquiry the person has been suspended or removed from regulated activity? 

☐ Has a referral been made to the DBS? 

☐ Has the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) been informed? 

☐ Where our activities are regulated and inspected by agencies such as OFSTED, Care Quality Commission, etc., have they been informed? 

☐ Where there is a serious incident (such as child abuse) has the charity informed the Charity Commission? 

☐ Despite the number of agencies that may need to be informed, has everything been kept on a need-to-know basis, maintaining confidentiality? 

Useful information:

Thirtyone:Eight , PO Box 133, Swanley, 

Kent, BR8 7UQ 

Helpline: 0303 003 1111 

Email: info@thirtyoneeight.org

NSPCC, Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH 

Help for children/young people: 0800 1111 

Help for adults: 0808 800 5000 

ChildLine – free and confidential number: 0800 1111 

DBS helpline – 0300 123 1111 

Charity Commission – 0300 066 9197 or email directly from their website 

www.charity-commission.gov.uk