SAFEGUARDING
The trustees and elders of NLCC recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people and adults. We acknowledge that children, young people and adults can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. We believe that everyone is entitled to attend our Sunday services without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, sexuality, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. We further believe that children should be able to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse. We believe that children have a right to be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s), or any other person who has care of the child. The trustees and elders have therefore adopted the procedures set out in the church's safeguarding policy (available on request) in accordance with statutory guidance. The Ministry Team of NLCC has also approved the church's safeguarding policy together with the procedures set out herein. We are committed to building constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding.
The church's safeguarding policy is informed by our safeguarding provider, Christian Safeguarding Services, www.thecss.co.uk
The trustees and elders of New Life Church Catford undertake to:
● Endorse and follow all national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures.
● Provide on-going safeguarding training for all its workers (whether paid or voluntary) and regularly review the chuch's safeguarding policy.
● Liaise with owners of the venues where Sunday services are held, to ensure that the premises meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 as amended and all other relevant legislation, and that it is welcoming and inclusive.
● Support the Safeguarding Lead in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children and adults.
● Provide a copy of the church's safeguarding policy to individuals/organisations on request.
● Not to allow the document to be copied by other unrelated organisations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
● Safeguarding Lead: Michelle Oladapo
● Christian Safeguarding Services www.thecss.co.uk 0116 218 4420 [Christian safeguarding charity providing free advice.]
● Lewisham Council MASH: 020 8314 9181, or 020 8314 6000 (out of hours). (Child safeguarding department)
● Lewisham Council MASH Designated Officer: 020 8314 6660. (Responsible for managing cases where an accusation is made against someone working with children)].
● Lewisham Adult Social Care: 020 8314 7777 (or 020 8314 6000 out of hours).
● Police non-emergency number: 101. Emergency number: 999.
● Childline: 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk
● A teacher at school (for children wanting to talk to someone else)