Protection of Children Policy Statement

Policy Statement

• We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, financial and discriminatory abuse and neglect of children, harm and/or abuse, and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
• We recognise the personal dignity and rights of children and will ensure all our policies and procedures reflect this.
• We believe all children should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of Freedom Church Chennai.
• We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children with care and support needs.
• We believe every child should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that children we have contact with know this, and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing significant harm.

We Are Committed To

• Following statutory and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children, ensuring that at Freedom all volunteers work within the agreed procedure of our safeguarding policy.
• Implementing the requirements of the POCSO Act 2012 and all other relevant legislation.
• Supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work.
• Ensuring that we are keeping up to date with the Government of India's national and local developments relating to Child Safeguarding.
• Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by Freedom Church Chennai.
• Supporting all in Freedom Church affected by abuse.

We Recognise

• Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed, the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.
• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We will review this statement and our policy & procedures annually.

Audits & Reviews

The latest External Audit was on 14th March 2025 by Justice and Hope (www.justiceandhope.org) and the latest Internal Review was done on September 2025. The next review will be undertaken by May 2026.

A copy of the safeguarding policy is available from the Chairperson of the Child Safeguarding Team, Ms. Jessica Smith, Freedom Church Chennai.

The Safeguarding Team

If you have any concerns for a child with care and support needs, please speak to one of the following, who have been approved as Safeguarding Co-ordinators for this organisation: