The Christadelphian Hall & Buildings Society, Birmingham is an English registered charity No 702637 and a company limited by shares registered in England No 00113912.

Grants are available to ecclesias to assist with the purchase or maintenance of ecclesial halls and other buildings.

Loans for the same purpose may also be available where an ecclesia is either a limited company or a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

For legal reasons, loans are no longer available to unincorporated ecclesias.

In cases of need, Society grants may also be available to help with ecclesial hall running costs.

The Society also offers support to ecclesias considering the future of their halls and to trustees needing help with first title registration or resolution of other legal issues relating to hall title.

Please send enquiries to the Secretary.

Secretary

ALISTAIR FIRTH (BI.70) alistair.firth@chbs.org.uk

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Safeguarding Policy

Safegarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy

1. Introduction

The Objects of the Christadelphian Hall & Buildings Society Birmingham (CHBS) do not involve any direct contact with children. CHBS has no volunteers nor employees other than the Directors/Trustees nor does it arrange events at which children may be present.

In accordance with Charity Commission Guidance Safeguarding and protecting people for charities and trustees published 6 December 2017 and updated October 2018 Working with or making grants to other organisation, we have a requirement to carry out proper due diligence when we work with, or make grants to, other bodies to achieve their aims. We must make sure that any grant recipient or partner body is suitable. They must have appropriate safeguarding procedures in place. We must make sure there are clear lines of responsibility and reporting between all bodies involved.

2. Policy Statement

As Trustees of the Christadelphian Hall and Buildings Society Birmingham (CHBS), we believe all children regardless of age, gender, disability or ethnic origin have a right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation. We will not tolerate the abuse of children (defined as under the age of 18) in any form.

It is the responsibility of all Trustees, Committee Members and workers of CHBS to raise any concerns you have or any concerns which are reported to you according to this policy. It is not your responsibility to decide whether or not child abuse has occurred.

It is the responsibility of all Trustees, Committee Members and workers working with CHBS to ensure the delivery of this policy and to promote it as relevant in all aspects of their work, to hold themselves and others to account and to help create a safe environment for all.

This policy will automatically be applied in the UK and in all geographies where CHBS is working.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) requires states to protect children from abuse.

3. Safeguarding principles

CHBS will ensure that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount;
• Concerns or allegations of child abuse are always taken seriously, investigated and acted on if appropriate;
• CHBS will seek to safeguard children by valuing, listening to and respecting them;
• All Trustees, Committee Members and workers and other representatives have access to, and are familiar with this policy, and know their responsibilities within it;
• All receive training on Safeguarding Children at a level commensurate with their role;
• All Trustees, Committee Members and workers have access to information about how to report concerns or allegations of abuse, including children themselves;
• Our recruitment practices are robust enough to ensure that we will not recruit anyone if they pose a known risk to children’s safety or wellbeing;
• All trustees are responsible for promoting awareness of this policy within their divisions, individual departments or teams.

4. Definitions

Safeguarding Children and Child Protection

Safeguarding is the process of protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing impairment of their health and development, ensuring they are living in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. ‘Child protection’ is an element of Safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering or likely to suffer, significant harm.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2)

Child

A child is defined as anyone under 18 years old.

This definition is recognised internationally as identifying a population who are particularly vulnerable and require additional safeguards to protect their rights.

The definition of a child for the purposes of Safeguarding and child protection should not be confused with the legal definition of a child or age limits set out in other relevant laws. The fact that a person under the age of 18 may have reached the age of majority, age of sexual consent, voting age or such like does not alter their inherent vulnerability as a child.

Child Abuse

Different forms of harm or mistreatment of children are categorised under the broader term “child abuse”. Abuse can happen anywhere and at any time, but research shows that the perpetrators of abuse are likely to be known and trusted by the child. The most commonly defined types are:

• Physical: violence towards or deliberate injury of a child.
• Neglect: persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and psychological needs.
• Sexual: using a child for sexual stimulation or gratification.
• Emotional: behaviour which attacks a child’s self-esteem.
• Child Sexual Exploitation: Children in exploitative situations and relationships receive something such as gifts, money or affection as a result of performing sexual activities or others performing sexual activities on them.

Safeguarding Team:

The appointed Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Assistant Designated Safeguarding Lead (ADSL).

Appointed DSL: Andrew Collinge

Assistant DSL:

Staff:

Trustees, Committee Members and workers including representatives

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility and failure to act on concerns relating to children is not an option.

CHBS Trustees hold overall accountability for this Policy and its implementation.

CHBS Trustees are responsible for reviewing and updating this Policy annually and in line with legislative and organisational developments and hold overall accountability for CHBS Safeguarding of Children.

All Trustees, Committee Members and workers and other representatives of CHBS are required to adhere to this Policy and the CHBS’s Code of Conduct at all times.

All are obliged to report any suspicions of child abuse. Failure to report to a relevant person suspicion of abuse relating to someone else is a breach of CHBS policy and could lead to disciplinary action being taken. For the avoidance of doubt, there is no obligation placed on any individual to report any incident that has happened to them.

CHBS Safeguarding Team and trustees can offer further support to all volunteers and other representatives on implementing this Policy.

6. Working with or making grants to other organisations

CHBS will carry out proper due diligence when we work with, or make grants to, other bodies to achieve their aims.

We will:

• make sure that any grant recipient or partner body is suitable and
• That they must have appropriate safeguarding procedures in place.
• Make sure there are clear lines of responsibility and reporting between all bodies involved.
• have a written agreement or contract that sets out:
• our relationship
  
• the role of each organisation.
• monitoring and reporting arrangements

Here is a link: How to carry out due diligence checks

7. Support for Survivors and Victims

Support will be offered to survivors and victims, regardless of whether a formal internal response is carried out (such as an internal investigation). Support can include access to specialist and appropriate support as needed. Survivors and victims can choose if and when they would like to take up the support options available to them.

8. Policy Guidance

Contact with Children

Trustees, Committee Members and workers Must Never:

• Fail to disclose any convictions or child related investigations that they are subject to;
• Seek to make contact or spend time with any child with whom they come into contact as part of their work with CHBS except as part of the designated activities set out in their role;
• Abuse their position to withhold professional assistance or give preferential treatment, gifts or payment of any kind to a child, or another person in relation to a child, in order to solicit any form of advantage or sexual favour from a child;
• Have sexual intercourse or participate in any form of sexual activity, including paying for sex, with any person under 18 years old or under the local age of sexual consent (where higher). This applies to all Trustees, Committee Members and workers regardless of the age of consent locally and mistaken belief in the age of the child is not a defence;
• Hit or otherwise physically assault a child irrespective of cultural norms, including as punishment;
• Behave physically in a manner with a child which is inappropriate or sexually provocative;
• Use language or behaviour towards children that is inappropriate, harassing, abusive, sexually provocative or that is intended to shame, humiliate or emotionally abuse;
• Use computers, mobile phones, video and digital cameras to exploit or harass children or to access child pornography through any medium;
• Recruit children for any labour which is inappropriate to their age or developmental stage, which interferes with their time available for education and recreational activities, or which places them at risk of injury;
• Do things of a personal nature for a child with whom they come into contact as part of their work for CHBS that the child can do for themselves (e.g. toileting, bathing, dressing);
• Share a bedroom with or sleep close to an unsupervised child or children where that child/children are ones with whom they come into contact as part of their work for CHBS;
• Visit a child’s home alone or invite unaccompanied children into their own accommodation, where that child/children are ones with whom they come into contact as part of their work for CHBS;
• Put a child at risk of harm through inaction (including failure to report a concern);
• Condone or participate in any child related activity which is illegal, exploitative, unsafe or abusive; this includes behaviour by other children;
• Act in any way that may be abusive or put a child at risk of abuse or exploitation.

CHBS Trustees, Committee Members and workers Must Always:

• Treat all children with respect regardless of their race, colour, gender, language, religion, opinions, nationality, ethnicity, social origin, property, disability or other status;
• Avoid being placed in a position where they are alone with a child or children with whom they come into contact as part of their work with CHBS;
• Act professionally towards children they interact with in their role, following relevant laws pertaining to working with children, including those in relation to child labour;
• Consider the risk of harm and whether there is any possibility a child may be abused or exploited when assessing the appropriateness of any physical or verbal contact, including in the design of any CHBS programmes;
• Report any suspicion, allegation or witness of child abuse or other breaches of the Safeguarding Children Policy as per the reporting procedures outlined in this document.

Virtual Contact with Children

Anyone working with or on behalf of CHBS must adhere to CHBS guidelines to protect children engaging with CHBS through social media. Social media and technology is evolving rapidly and it is the responsibility of all to consider the full range of risks and safeguards required to protect children in the activities that they oversee.

9. Safe Programming

CHBS has minimum standards in place intended to minimise risk when working with direct or indirect child beneficiaries. These standards are published in these Procedures for Safeguarding Children.

Responsibility for ensuring these programme standards are applied lies with CHBS Trustees, Committee Members and workers. However, all staff and partners working with children must take personal responsibility for upholding these minimum standards.

10. How to raise a Complaint or Concern

Anyone can raise a concern or make a complaint to CHBS about something they have experienced or witnessed. You can do this verbally or in writing to your Safeguarding Designated Lead. (DSL)

Email:andrew@chbs.org.uk

Phone:

If an allegation is made against you, then you must inform the DSL immediately. You should create a signed and dated record of the details as you know them and send a copy of this to the DSL. All those accused will be treated with respect and all allegations are treated confidentially. You may wish to seek support from your Ecclesia.

11. How to Respond to a Complaint or Concern

CHBS is committed to responding to all complaints and concerns of abuse. CHBS’s Safeguarding DSLs are responsible for this work, and have access to specialist expertise in prevention, carrying out investigations, and delivering support to survivors of and victims of child abuse.

CHBS recognises that disclosures and suspicion should always be acted upon swiftly, and if there is an urgent child protection situation, for example if a child is in imminent danger of abuse, then immediate protective action must be taken.

What to do if You Have Concerns About a Child’s Wellbeing

• The first priority is the immediate safety and welfare of the child.
• Keep calm and act normally; do not say or show that you are shocked.
• Do not investigate or question the child. If a child reports abuse directly to you, only ask questions to get enough information to understand the complaint (e.g. 'who, what, where, when' questions, but not 'why' questions).
• Never agree to keep a secret. If a child is in danger you will have to inform others.
• Do not directly challenge parents, carers or teachers about your concerns.
• Record all the details that support your suspicion and report this to the DSL.

Confidentiality and Children

CHBS cannot keep confidences when they involve concerns about a child. Any information offered in confidence to Trustees, Committee Members and workers relating to risks or concerns about a child should be received on the basis that it will have to be shared with the relevant person or people in authority. In the first instance this will be the appointed DSL and assistant DSL

It is the responsibility of all who represent CHBS, in whatever capacity, to raise concerns regarding possible or known issues of child abuse or exploitation in projects managed or supported by CHBS immediately in line with the procedures outlined below.

12. Procedure for Handling Complaints

When a complaint or concern has been raised, it must be referred within 24 hours to CHBS

DSL. This can be done on behalf of somebody else and may only involve a suspicion.

Internal Response

Within 72 hours of receiving a complaint or concern, the DSL must convene a case conference. An email should be sent to the complainant acknowledging the complaint as soon as possible. CHBS must refer suspected cases of child abuse to local statutory authorities where possible.

The process for addressing complaints is outlined in these Procedures for Safeguarding Children.

Confidentiality must be maintained throughout the complaints process by all Trustees, Committee Members and workers and witnesses. Those who breach confidentiality will be subject to disciplinary action. In some cases, such breaches constitute breaking the law.

Retaliation Against Complainants, Victims and Witnesses

CHBS will take action against any Trustees, Committee Members and workers, whether they are the subject of a complaint or not, who seek or carry out retaliatory action against complainants, victims or other witnesses. Those who are found to do this will be subject to disciplinary action.

Outcomes of Misconduct

Those who are found to contravene this policy will be subject to disciplinary action that may result in dismissal. Where possible, CHBS will refer suspected cases of child abuse to local statutory authorities and the process and outcome will be handled by said authority. Volunteers, contractors and other representatives will have their relationship with CHBS terminated.

False Allegations

It is extremely rare that staff or other stakeholders are found to have raised allegations which they knew to be false. If a member of staff from CHBS is found to have made an allegation that they knew to be false they will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Complaints about CHBS’s Partners

If CHBS receives a complaint about a partner organisation, CHBS will expect the partner to respond quickly and appropriately. CHBS should assist the partner to ascertain its obligations under local law to refer the matter to the police or other statutory authorities for criminal investigation.

Where appropriate, CHBS should work with the partner to address the issue through an appropriate independent investigation. If the outcome is that child abuse has occurred, ongoing work with the partner cannot involve the individual(s) concerned.

If there is reason to believe that an allegation of child abuse has been dealt with inappropriately by a partner, then they risk withdrawal of funding or ending the relationship.

Receiving External Complaints and Concerns

Complaints raised from outside the organisation should be referred to CHBS Safeguarding Team and must adhere to CHBS policy and procedures as outlined in this document.

13. Safe Recruitment

CHBS is committed to recruiting staff, volunteers and other representatives safely. All application forms, interviews and references must address Safeguarding and equality requirements and attitudes in line with the Recruitment Policy.

Recruitment for all applicants to roles supervising children or working directly with child beneficiaries must follow CHBS’s Safeguarding Children Guidelines, particularly that:

• All applicants must be asked to disclose all criminal convictions in keeping with the parameters of local employment law;
• We are not able to offer volunteering opportunities to anyone with spent or unspent convictions for sexual offences or any form of child abuse;
• Legitimate registers must be checked to establish whether applicants are a known risk to children;
• Applicants should not start work until reference checking and checking of legitimate registers has taken place

CHBS representatives who regularly supervise children must be subject to a criminal records check.

IN THE UK If a child is being regularly supervised by the same adult, that adult must be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, as allowed by DBS rules. Failure to do this could result in criminal liability if the adult is later found to be a known risk to children.

IN THE UK, Sexual relations between an adult supervisor and a young volunteer aged 17 or 16 will often constitute a criminal offence under the Sexual Offences Act (2003) due to the position of trust held by the adult. CHBS must refer such allegations to the relevant statutory authorities for investigation.

OUTSIDE THE UK: CHBS will follow all local laws relating to the supervision of young people.

Use of Personal Data about Children

CHBS staff must adhere to CHBS’s Data Protection Policy which is guided by the General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union (2018). All information stored by CHBS about children and young people must be processed in accordance with this Act and CHBS policy.

Research with children must be in line with CHBS’s Procedures for Safeguarding Children. CHBS representatives must consider how to protect a child’s identity, how to share and store such content and how to achieve “informed consent”.

Disputes about the use of child images must be raised to the Safeguarding Team

Training

All CHBS staff and representatives must receive training on Child Safeguarding commensurate with their role. This training will be carried out by specialists on a regular basis and will include

• information about CHBS policy positions, reporting and investigation procedures and how to embed Child Safeguarding in CHBS’s work.
• Overall responsibility for ensuring that staff receive regular training lies with the CHBS Trustees
• Children require training to ensure that their capabilities and competencies are at a level where they can operate without putting themselves and others at risk.

1. Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

This Document supplements the CHBS Child Safeguarding Policy dated 18th December 2019

See this for more information concerning:

• Roles and Responsibilities of Trustees, Members and the Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Risk Assessment: Safe Activities and Safe Environment

Information is taken from Charity Guidance Safeguarding and Protecting people for charities and trustees.

See www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-duties-for-charity-trustees#children-adults-at-risk.

2. Principles and practice

Trustees and Members of CHBS recognise that as an expression of our love of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ we will show love to all (Matthew 22: 37-39, Galatians 6:10) and treat others as we would wish to be treated (Matthew 7: 12).

We are aware that in seeking to put these principles into practice we will take particular care when dealing with children (see separate Child Safeguarding Policy) and vulnerable adults.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. The aim of this policy is to promote the freedom and dignity and respect of everyone

3. What is Safeguarding Adults at Risk?

Safeguarding adults at risk means protecting their right to live in safety and free from abuse and neglect. Safeguarding means making arrangements or taking precautions intended to protect people from abuse, including significant harm or exploitation.

Safeguarding duties for adults at risk apply to anyone aged 18 or over who:

• has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and
• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
• as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect or take steps to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation or who cannot care for themselves

4. Who are vulnerable adults?

A vulnerable adult is anyone aged 18 or over who is in a vulnerable situation or relationship. They may have difficulty making their wishes or feelings known. They may need or already receive community care services such as a care package or support worker or they may be heavily dependent on one or more family members or friends.

They may be unable or have no means of dealing with intimidation, false accusations, humiliation, coaxing, coercion or may feel that someone is trying to take control over their activities

They may be confused. They may be having problems with personal hygiene.

A vulnerable adult may find it difficult to form healthy and steady boundaries and pushing or challenging their boundaries can become damaging to that individual.

A vulnerable adult may find it difficult to express their concerns or feelings which can lead to misunderstandings of their situation.

An adult at risk of abuse may:

• have an illness affecting their mental or physical health. This would include problems mobility or with eyesight or hearing
• have a learning disability
• suffer from drug or alcohol problems
• be frail

5. What is abuse?

Abuse may be physical, emotional or sexual or it may involve not looking after someone properly, taking money or property without informed consent, misusing it or committing fraud.

It may include poor care practices, bullying or humiliating, or not allowing contact with family or friends. It often involves criminal acts.

It may be manging or taking control of someone without their permission

Abuse can be a single act or it may continue over time and may take many different forms. It can be unintentional or deliberate but in all cases it will result in harm to the victim that affects their wellbeing or security. Individuals may suffer more than one kind of abuse.

6. Who might abuse a vulnerable adult?

An abuser may be:

• A partner, family member, friend or neighbour.
• A carer, volunteer, staff member or another service user.
• A stranger.

7. Where could abuse happen?

Abuse could happen anywhere and at any time including:

• In the victim’s own home or someone else’s.
• In a day centre, care home or hospital.
• At work or in a college or school.
• In a public place, including any ecclesial or other meeting room.

8. What increases the risk of abuse?

Anyone can be at risk of abuse but the majority of people are not at risk all of the time.

The risk of abuse increases when:

• Someone is isolated.
• They depend on others for food or personal care.
• They are suffering from an illness or recovering.
• They are not mentally capable of making decisions for themselves.
• They have suffered previous abuse.

9. The Process of Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults is:

• To respond quickly to ensure effective response to any form of harm, neglect or abuse that has or is taking place

To consult with the vulnerable adult as far as possible to explain a proposed course of action

Put in place a plan to assist and protect the adult.

Make sure regular monitoring takes place when concerns have been raised.

10. How can I help a vulnerable adult but reduce the risk of being accused of abuse?

Always be sensitive to their needs and treat them courteously.

It is important to seek their permission before managing or taking control of their situation.

Unless they are your close friend or family member or they rely on you for personal or professional care, try to have someone else with you when spending time with them, especially for long periods.

• If they need help with financial matters or dealing with property try to get their agreement to involve someone else such as a member of their family or a member of staff at their bank, building society or solicitor’s office.

11. What should I do if I think a vulnerable adult is being abused?

In an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger call 999.

To report a crime (non-emergency) call 101(West Midlands Police)

Otherwise, speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead:

Name

Andrew Collinge Trustee

If the DSL is not available and you need to get advice or report adult abuse quickly, check the permanent address of the vulnerable adult and contact the safeguarding organisation that covers that address:

BIRMINGHAM (including addresses in Edgbaston, Harborne, Quinton, Northfield etc.)

Office hours 0121 303 1234 (option 2)

Outside normal office hours 0121 675 4806

Email: acap@birmingham.gov.uk

DUDLEY (including addresses in Halesowen etc.)

01384 818 543 or 0300 555 0055

Email: accessteam.dachs@dudley.gov.uk

SANDWELL (including addresses in Warley etc.)

Mon.–Thurs. 9am-5.30pm : Fri. 9am-5pm: 0121 569 2266 (option 4)

Outside those hours: 0121 569 2355.

Email: secure_enquiry@sandwellgcsx.gov.uk

WORCESTERSHIRE (including addresses in Bromsgrove, Redditch etc.)

01905 768 053

Email: adultteam@worcestershire.gov.uk

Local Authority contact details for vulnerable adults living in any other Local Authority area can be found via the relevant website.