Safeguarding 

Promoting a Safer Church

Our safeguarding policy is available here 

Any concerns can be sent to safeguarding@mhechurch.com

Colindale Church is a church plant under Mill Hill East Church and we are accountable to and follow their safeguarding procedures.

The vision of Mill Hill East Church is: Love God, love each other, make disciples.
In fulfilling this vision the church

• has a programme of activities with children, young people and adults at risk
• welcomes children, young people and adults at risk into the life of our community

The church recognises its responsibilities for the safeguarding of all children and young people under the age of 18 (regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability) as set out in The Children Act 1989 and 2004, Safe from Harm (HM Government 1994) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government 2010).

The church also recognises that an adult at risk is “any adult aged 18 or over who due to disability, mental function, age, illness or traumatic circumstances may not be able to take care or protect themselves against the risk of significant harm, abuse, bullying, harassment, mistreatment or exploitation (CCPAS).”

As members of this church we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safeguarding of all children, young people and adults at risk associated with the church and will pray for them regularly.

In pursuit of this we commit ourselves to the following policies and to the development of procedures to ensure their implementation.

Prevention and reporting of abuse and responding to concern

It is the duty of each church member and each member of the wider church family to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children, young people and adults at risk and the duty of all to respond to concerns about the well-being of children, young people and adults at risk and to report any abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected. The church will fully co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.

Safe recruitment, support and supervision of workers

The church will exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children, young people and adults at risk, whether paid or voluntary. All workers will be provided with appropriate training, support and supervision to promote the safeguarding of children.

Safe behaviour: a code of behaviour for workers

The church will adopt a code of behaviour for all who are appointed to work with children, young people and adults at risk so that all children, young people and adults are shown the respect that is due to them.

Safe practice and safe premises

The church is committed to providing a safe environment for activities with children, young people and adults and will adopt ways of working with children, young people and adults at risk that promote their safety and well-being.

A safe community

The church is committed to the prevention of bullying of children, young people and adults at risk. The church will seek to ensure that the behaviour of any who may pose a risk to children, young people and vulnerable adults in the community of the church is managed appropriately.

Responsible people

The church has appointed Nat Ireton as the Safeguarding Trustee to oversee and monitor implementation of the policy and procedures on behalf of the church's charity trustees.

The church has appointed Georgia Venn-Dunn as the Designated Person for Safeguarding, and Rachel Kane as deputy, to:

advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk

take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected. 

Policy and procedures

A copy of the policy statement will be displayed permanently on the noticeboard in the foyer.    

Each worker with children, young people and adults at risk whether paid or voluntary will be given a full copy of the policy and procedures and will be required to follow them.

A full copy of the policy and procedures will be made available on request to any member of the church, the parents or carers of any child, young person or adults at risk from the church or any other person associated with the church.

The policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed at least annually.