Safeguarding

As an organisation, we recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for all those attending our event.

We acknowledge that children, young people and adults can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. We accept the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Human Rights, which states that everyone is entitled to “all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”.

We also concur with the Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that children should be able to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse. They have a right to be protected from “all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s), or any other person who has care of the child.”

As an organisation we have therefore adopted the procedures set out in this safeguarding policy in accordance with statutory guidance. We are committed to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding.

We will endeavour to safeguard children, young people and adults by:

• Valuing, listening to and respecting them
• Adopting appropriate guidelines for the safe recruitment process for all of its activities in line with the Big Church Festival safer recruitment policy.
• Commuting to a thorough and safe recruitment process for all of it’s activities in line with
• the Big Church Festival safer recruitment policy.
• Sharing relevant information about child and adult protection and good practice with children, young people, parents, carers, staff and volunteers.
• Making relevant agency referrals and involving the individual and other relevant parties appropriately adhering at all times to the Big Church Festival Confidentiality Policy and to the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision and support.

Our Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding Procedures can be downloaded here.

Our Safeguarding & Welfare Manager, Emily Hassan, acts as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Big Church Festival and can be contacted by emailing [email protected]

There is also a range of support available to children, young people and adults outside of Big Church itself. Such organisations include:

• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
• Childline: 0800 1111
• Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900
• NAPAC: 0808 801 0331
• Samaritans: 116 123
• Family Lives: 0808 800 2222
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
• Action on Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141

Finally, Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. You can contact the Safe Spaces team through their helpline (0300 303 1056), their live chat facility or by emailing [email protected]. If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in immediate danger.