Protection of children and adults policy statement (safeguarding)

The following statement was agreed by the leadership on: December 6th 2023

The Mahabba Network is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults with care and support needs and ensuring their well-being. We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent harm or Abuse to children and adults with care and support needs in all their recognised forms

We recognise the personal dignity and rights of adults and children and will ensure all our policies and procedures will reflect this

We believe all people should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of the place of worship/organisation

We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children and adults with care and support needs

We believe every child and adult should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that all those we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing significant harm

We are committed to:

Following statutory denominational and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults and will ensure that as The Mahabba Network, all workers will work within the agreed procedure of our safeguarding policy

Implementing the requirements of all relevant legislation including, but not limited to; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005, Equality Act 2010 and referring concerns about adults with care and support needs to the local authority under the Care Act 2014

Supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work

Ensuring that we are keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding

Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by the Mahabba Network

Supporting all in the Mahabba Network affected by abuse

We recognise:

Children’s Social Services has the responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child. Adult Social Care has the responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs.

Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

We will review this statement and our policy annually.

If you have any concerns for a child or adult, then speak to one of the following who have been approved as safeguarding coordinators for the Mahabba Network.

Katy Knight Safeguarding Coordinator

Simon Cox Deputy Safeguarding Coordinator

A copy of the Mahabba Network policy can be seen on Mahabba Hivemind and is available on request from hello@mahabbanetwork.com