ELCE Safeguarding Policy

As a Leadership we recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for  children, young people and adults. 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 a Leadership 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. 

Our safeguarding statement can be found in APPENDIX 1. 

The policy and any attached practice guidelines are based on the ten safeguarding  standards published by Thirtyone:eight (Our Ten standards | Thirtyone:eight; details  available by contacting the ELCE/Congregational Safeguarding Lead,  safeguarding@lutheranchurch.org.uk).