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, neglect and spiritual abuse. 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 2.

The policy and any attached practice guidelines are based on the ten safeguarding standards published by Thirtyone:eight (Our Ten standards | Thirtyone:eight).

The Safeguarding Team:

Responsible person

• Designated Safeguarding Trustee – Nick Haigh (nick.haigh@northumbriacommunity.org)
• Community Safeguarding Lead – Caroline Friend (carolinefriend0@gmail.com tel: 07534 096120)
• Safeguarding Administrator – Julia Timmins (julia.timmins@northumbriacommunity.org)