Safeguarding

Safeguarding Overview

How we protect and support children, young people, and vulnerable adults across our churches.
- Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
  
  If you’re worried about someone’s safety, find out how to report your concerns clearly and confidentially.
- Safeguarding Training & Events
  
  Stay up to date with training opportunities to help you and your church create a safer environment.
- Safeguarding Awareness
  
  Learn to recognise the signs of specific safeguarding issues, including different types of abuse, exploitation, and vulnerability.
  - Domestic Abuse
    
    Understanding the signs of domestic abuse and how to respond.
  - Exploitation and Grooming
    
    Information on how to recognise and report grooming and exploitation.
  - Financial Abuse
    
    Guidance on identifying and dealing with issues of financial abuse.
  - Honour-Based Abuse
    
    Advice to follow in the event of honour-based abuse or forced marriage.
  - Managing Risks & Safeguarding Agreements
    
    The formal process for managing individuals who may pose a risk to others within the church community.
  - Bereavement Support
    
    Coping with the experience of losing someone important to us.
  - Financial Hardship & Homelessness
    
    Understanding vulnerability and finding sources of help.
  - IICSA (Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse)
    
    The findings from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
- Safeguarding Policies & Guidance
  
  Essential policies and best practice guidance for keeping people safe in our churches.
  - Core Safeguarding Policy
    
    The official Safeguarding Policy for Children and Adults for the Thames North Synod.
  - Guidance for Elders
    
    Guidance on the safeguarding responsibilities and duties of Elders as charity trustees.
  - Safer Recruitment and Volunteers
    
    The principles and procedures for ensuring only suitable people work with children and adults at risk.
  - Online Safety Guidance
    
    Best practices for safe online communication and ministry.
  - Activities in Private Dwellings
    
    Guidance on assessing and managing the unique risks of holding church activities in private homes.
- Safeguarding Resources & Forms
  
  Download essential safeguarding forms, templates and printable materials for use in your church.
- Safeguarding Contacts
  
  Get in touch with our Safeguarding Officers for confidential advice, support, or reporting.

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

If you’re worried about someone’s safety, find out how to report your concerns clearly and confidentially.

Immediate Danger

If you believe someone is in immediate danger of harm, you must call the police on 999 without delay.

If your concern is urgent but does not involve immediate danger, you should contact your Local Authority's Children or Adult Social Care services directly. For all other concerns, please follow the steps below.

The Reporting Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

This flowchart provides a simple overview of the process to follow when you have a safeguarding concern.

Step 1: Respond to the Disclosure

If a child, young person, or adult discloses that they are being or have been abused, it is vital that you:

Stay calm and listen to them carefully.
Reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you.
Do not promise to keep it a secret. Explain that you must pass the information on to help keep them and others safe.
Do not investigate yourself or ask leading questions.

Step 2: Inform the Right Person

You must inform your church's designated Safeguarding Coordinator within 24 hours. If the concern implicates them, you should contact the Synod Safeguarding Officer instead.

Contact details for the Synod Safeguarding Officer are on our Safeguarding Contacts page.

Step 3: Record the Details

You must make a written record of the allegation or concern as soon as possible, while the details are fresh in your mind. Use the official Safeguarding Concern Form to ensure all necessary information is captured.

Be factual and record what the person said, using their own words where possible. Note the time, date, place, and people present. Sign and date your record.

The Safeguarding Concern Form (F1) is available for download on our Safeguarding Resources & Forms page.

What Happens Next?

Once you have passed the information to the Safeguarding Coordinator or Synod Officer, they will take responsibility for the next steps. This will involve assessing the information and, where necessary, making a formal referral to statutory authorities like the police or social services. They will also inform the URC's national safeguarding team. You will be kept informed of the process as appropriate, but the primary responsibility for managing the case will lie with them.