SUA SAFEGUARDING POLICY
29 July 2023
What is the context, and who is in the Southern Unitarian Association (SUA)?
1. The SUA is a formal community of Unitarian and Free Christian congregations and comprises of:
- an Executive Committee, of which three committee members are elected to be Officers (President, Hon Sec and Hon Treasurer) and the other committee members are nominated by the subscribing Unitarian congregations in the geographic region of operation as their voting representatives; and
- a general membership composed of the subscribing Unitarian and Free Christian congregations in the geographic region of operation.
2. The SUA operates as a nurturing and mutual support network of subscribing Unitarian and Free Christian congregations through:
- holding formal General Meetings and Ordinary Meetings online and face to face (usually, but not exclusively, hosted at the venues used by the member congregations);
- holding informal face to face networking gatherings (usually, but not exclusively, hosted at the venues used by the member congregations), open to anyone invited by any or all of the member congregations;
- disbursing grants to subscribing congregations and, under certain circumstances, to Unitarians and Free Christians in the geographic region who are unattached to any of the member congregations;
- encouraging mutual support and relationship building between the member congregations;
- spreading spiritual practice and best administrative practice across the member congregations;
- providing a secondary, informal communication conduit between the member congregations and the central support team to the General Assembly, at Essex Hall in London; and
- maintaining contact as possible with individual Unitarians and Free Christians in the geographic region who are unattached to any of the member congregations.
SUA Statement of Intent and Commitment
3. This commitment is made by:
- the Executive Committee of the SUA; and
- the participants in SUA activities.
4. We believe that all adults should have the opportunity to try, and have access to, every aspect of the life of this Association. Contracts of behaviour may apply (see below).
5. We believe that every child should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure, should children come to SUA activities, that they are able to tell us if they are suffering harm.
6. We are committed to the safeguarding of any vulnerable adults and all children who may take part in SUA activities, and to ensuring their well-being.
7. We acknowledge that we all have a responsibility, in planning and running our activities, to help prevent the abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults and all children whom we encounter through our SUA activities. We also acknowledge a secondary responsibility regarding possible abuse taking place elsewhere, which comes to our attention.
8. We will follow this policy and report all allegations and suspicions.
9. We will treat everyone with dignity and respect in all our activities together. We acknowledge the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
10. We will be available and attentive to people but will not intrude on personal privacy.
11. We will develop awareness of individual needs, and how they may fluctuate with time and circumstance.
12. We will all be vigilant about issues such as financial exploitation of frail elderly persons, domestic abuse, self-neglect; and seek advice and/or training.
13. We will make sure, when carrying out an activity specifically for children, that we keep a record of everyone who is in attendance, where they live and how to contact them.
14. We will avoid inappropriate language and physical contact.
15. We will challenge unacceptable behaviour.
16. We will not put anyone, including ourselves, in a vulnerable or compromising situation.
17. We will learn how to respond well to allegations or suspicions of abuse or neglect.
18. We will refer to someone with greater experience or expertise when necessary. This will usually include taking advice from the central support team to the General Assembly, at Essex Hall in London, or/and the charity thirtyone:eight.
19. We will appoint a trained Safeguarding Co-ordinator (and a Deputy) whose role is described in the Annex.
20. We will provide support for those affected by abuse, in accordance with advice received by the Safeguarding Co-ordinator at the time of reporting a suspicion or allegation.
21. We will ensure that another adult is present or within sight or hearing of any activity.
22. If any type of activity other than our regular meetings is proposed we will include, during the planning stage, an assessment of the safeguarding arrangements needed.
Supervision of offenders / contracts of behaviour
23. Where a known offender wants to become a regular attendee at our meetings we will extend friendship to the person, but will have frank discussion with the person concerned, and conduct a risk assessment. The Safeguarding Co-ordinator will take advice. If, in the light of that advice, the SUA Executive Committee feels that the SUA can provide appropriate support and at the same time ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults, then one of the actions of the Executive Committee will be to prepare a contract, to set out the behaviours to be followed and the support and care to be offered. Without accepting such a contract, the known offender will be declined participation.
Responding to allegations of abuse, physical injury, neglect or sexual abuse
24. If there are signs or symptoms; or the child or vulnerable adult speaks out; or an event is witnessed by a third party; then whoever is alerted will without delay make a record of what happened, the concerns, the content of the conversations, the dates and times, and the actions taken, then immediately inform the Safeguarding Co-ordinator. Only the Safeguarding Co-ordinator should be made aware.
25. Actions that will be taken by the Safeguarding Co-ordinator (or Deputy, or other volunteer in their absence) where there is suspicion or allegation of abuse:
- If deliberate injury is suspected, there is concern for someone’s safety, or they are afraid to return home, contact Social Services. Seek advice about discussing with parents/carers as applicable.
- Seek medical help if needed urgently, advising doctor of suspicions.
- If no immediate risk (e.g. self-neglect (adult) or poor parenting (child)), encourage the person or the parent/carer to seek help, but monitor and refer on as appropriate.
- Collect a full report including any written notes from the person making known the suspicion or allegation.
- Inform GA team and take advice from them. If they are unavailable, take advice directly from thirtyone:eight
- GA team contact route is Gavin Howell via GA tel no 0207 240 2384 or ghowell@unitarian.org.uk
- thirtyone:eight helpline 0303 003 1111
- If there is delay in either of these routes then contact Social Services and Police directly as below.
- Make a report in accordance with the advice received. This may be to Social Services or directly to the Police. The Charity Commission may be informed.
- Take any follow up action as a result of the advice received.
Currency of this policy
This policy came into force when it was adopted by the Executive Committee of the SUA on 29 July 2023.
This policy will be reviewed in early 2024 with a view to an updated policy being adopted in the summer of 2024.
(signed)
SUA Hon Sec
30 Jul 2023
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ANNEX A
SAFEGUARDING POINTERS
A1. Safeguarding adults is about stopping or preventing abuse or neglect of adults with care and support needs. Adults with care and support needs are age 18 and over and may:
- have a learning disability;
- have a need related to invisible personal characteristics (e.g. impaired vision, deafness, attention deficit disorder, autism);
- have dementia;
- have a personality disorder;
- have a long or short term physical or mental illness;
- have an addiction to a substance or alcohol; or
- be elderly and frail owing to normal ageing, ill health, disability or weakened mental condition (e.g. recent bereavement)
A2. Safeguarding children is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means:
- protecting children from abuse and maltreatment;
- preventing harm to children’s health or development;
- ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care; and
- taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.
Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.
A3. Definitions of Abuse
- Financial Abuse – money, credit cards, welfare benefits, belongings or property being withheld or stolen by another person.
- Physical abuse – hitting, pushing, slapping, misuse of medication, restraining by use of ligatures etc, or locking someone in a room.
- Emotional abuse – shouting, swearing, bullying, teasing or humiliating someone and threats. In a church environment this may include abuse through manipulation, exploitation, control through the misuse and abuse of scripture and divine position.
- Neglect – ignoring medical or physical care needs.
- Sexual Abuse – being made to do things of a sexual nature against someone’s will.
- Discrimination – comments or jokes about a person’s disability, age, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
- Self Neglect – poor personal hygiene, non-engagement with services, not attending medical appointment/refusal to take medication, denial of frailty (e.g. memory problems), hoarding.
Abuse or neglect can also happen:
- within care settings, hospitals or care homes; and
- because of modern slavery, which includes being forced to work long hours for little or no pay, or people being trafficked.
Find the definitions of abuse taken from the Care Act 2014, Care and Support Statutory Guidance here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-statutory-guidance/care-and-support-statutory-guidance
A4. Role of the Safeguarding Co-ordinator
SUA will appoint a trained Safeguarding Co-ordinator (and a Deputy) whose role is:
- The preparation of this Safeguarding Policy and the annual review of it.
- Ensuring the Safeguarding Policy and procedures are followed.
- Personally taking action as required by this policy.
- Passing on advice received, at the time of reporting a suspicion or allegation, regarding giving support to those affected by abuse.
- Spreading awareness within participants in SUA activities of safeguarding requirements and issues, and prompting the SUA Executive Committee to consider the training requirement.
- Keeping accurate records relating to safeguarding concerns.
- Networking with Safeguarding Co-ordinators or equivalents within the subscribing congregations.
- Networking with the Safeguarding Adviser at Essex Hall.
At present there is only one person holding this role, without a Deputy. Currently holding this role is:
Lucy 07899 730181
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ANNEX B
KEY TELEPHONE NUMBERS — USE THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS APPROPRIATE TO THE LOCATION OF THE OCCURRENCE
Portsmouth — Portsmouth City Council
Southampton — Southampton Safeguarding Partnerships
Isle of Wight — Isle of Wight Safeguarding Partnerships
Ringwood — Hampshire County Council Social Services
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SUA Safeguarding Co-ordinator
Lucy 07899 730181
NOTE: Do not leave recorded voice messages as they may not be picked up for some time. Instead, leave a text using the words “Safeguarding issue” but without revealing any of the details.
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VULNERABLE ADULTS
Portsmouth Safeguarding Adults Board:
In an emergency call the Police on 999.
To report abuse of a vulnerable adult, call the Adult Social Care help desk on 02392 680810
Out of Hours
0300 555 1373
Online referral via https://www.portsmouthsab.uk/reporting-concerns/
Southampton Adults Safeguarding Board:
In an emergency call the Police on 999.
If you are worried about an adult or yourself please contact Southampton Adult Social Care on 023 8083 3003
Email: adultsocialcareconnect@southampton.gov.uk
Isle of Wight Safeguarding Adults Board:
In an emergency contact the Police by dialling 999.
Anybody can raise a safeguarding concern about an adult who is believed to have care and support needs and is at risk of or experiencing abuse and neglect (including self-neglect) by contacting 01983 814980 or by completing an alert form, downloadable from https://www.iowsab.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Adult-Safeguarding-Blank-Alert-Form.docx
Where can I discuss concerns before making a formal referral if I am unsure whether to refer?
The Adults Safeguarding Team in Adult Social Care provide a duty advice service on 01983 814980 in office hours
Hampshire County Council Social Services
In an emergency, or if you suspect you or someone else is in immediate danger, phone the Police on 999.
If you have concerns, or want to report abuse, phone Hampshire Adult Services on
0300 555 1386 (out of hours 0300 555 1373) or the Police on 101.
https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/adultsocialcare/safeguarding
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CHILDREN
Portsmouth City Council:
If you think a child is being abused or neglected, please contact the council’s Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) during office hours:
023 9268 8793
At all other times, phone the out-of-hours service on 0300 555 1373
email mash@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/health-and-care/children-and-families/keeping-children-safe/
Southampton Safeguarding Children Partnership:
Call the Police on 999 if there is an emergency and a child is in immediate danger.
Otherwise, phone 023 8083 3004 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm)
or 023 8023 3344 (weekends, Bank Holidays and outside of office hours).
https://southamptonscp.org.uk/
Isle of Wight Safeguarding Children Partnership:
If the child is in immediate danger, phone the Police on 999.
Are you worried about a child? Are they at risk or suffering, neglect or abuse? Members of the public please contact the Children's Reception Team on 0300 300 0117 (available 24hrs a day)
Hampshire County Council Children’s Social Care Team:
If the child is in immediate danger, phone the Police on 999.
For all other Safeguarding concerns, use the online form to report it at
https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/contacts
