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Safeguarding Policy

At Kingdom Church Cambridge, we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone — especially children, young people, and adults at risk. Safeguarding is central to our mission and values.

Key Safeguarding Contacts

If you have a safeguarding concern, please contact one of the following people immediately. You can also report concerns directly to the local authority or the NSPCC.

Safeguarding Team

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Melanie Jonas Mhango
📞 07491 356 824
✉️ safeguarding@kingdomchurchcambridge.org
Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Malgorzata Opalinska
Contact via church office
NSPCC Helpline
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
📞 0808 800 5000
Cambridgeshire Local Authority
Children & Adults Safeguarding
📞 0345 045 5203 (Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm)
📞 01733 234 724 (Out of hours)

If someone is in immediate danger, call the emergency services:

999

Purpose of This Policy

This policy exists to ensure that children, young people, and adults at risk who are part of our community are protected from harm and abuse — and that if abuse is identified, it will be handled effectively and decisively.

We seek to provide a healthy, nurturing, and protective environment for everyone who engages with our community, and to ensure that our staff and volunteers are clear about their responsibilities and duties.

Scope

This policy applies to everyone who works on our behalf with children, young people, their parents/carers, and adults at risk of abuse. This includes trustees, senior leaders, group/ministry leaders, paid staff, volunteers, and anyone else who acts in any capacity on our behalf.

Prepared by: Melanie Jonas Mhango
Approved by: Rennie Bartlette
Created: March 2026
Review: Annually or upon any changes

Our Values & Beliefs

We believe that children, young people, and adults have the right to live free of abuse and neglect. It is our responsibility to promote their welfare, to keep them safe while in our care, and to take necessary steps to protect them from harm, abuse, or exploitation.

Our approach to safeguarding is shaped by our belief as Christians that:

  • Every human life is valuable to God and each person bears the image of God
  • We are to honour those that God has set in authority over us and to obey the law of the land
  • God cares for the widow, the orphan, and the stranger — He calls us to protect and care for those who are vulnerable in our society
  • Jesus' example was one of valuing, accepting, and nurturing everyone
  • We are to love those around us as God loves them and to seek to bring healing, restoration, and reconciliation to broken and damaged lives
  • Sin in our midst must not be tolerated but dealt with decisively, effectively, and transparently

Our commitment: We recognise the need to ensure that every member of our community — but particularly those who are vulnerable — are protected from abuse or neglect within our community, as well as identifying abuse that occurs outside the organisational community.

How to Report a Safeguarding Concern

A safeguarding concern may arise when a child, young person, or adult at risk discloses abuse, shows signs of harm, appears neglected, is subject to bullying or exploitation, is exposed to domestic abuse, shows sudden behavioural changes, or is at risk of radicalisation or criminal activity.

If you have a concern, follow these steps:

1

Ensure Immediate Safety

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Listen carefully and stay calm. Do not put yourself at risk.

2

Do NOT Investigate

Do not ask leading questions. Do not promise confidentiality. Do not confront the alleged abuser. Your role is to listen, reassure, record, and report.

3

Record the Concern

Write down what you have seen, heard, or been told as soon as possible. Include date, time, the person's exact words, and any actions taken. Be factual and objective.

4

Report to the Safeguarding Lead

Contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Melanie Jonas Mhango — 07491 356824) immediately. If the DSL is unavailable, contact the Deputy Safeguarding Lead or the local authority directly.

5

DSL Assesses & Acts

The DSL will assess risk, consult safeguarding guidance, and determine whether a referral to Children's Social Care, Adult Safeguarding Services, Police, NSPCC, or other agencies is required.

6

Record & Monitor

All actions are recorded confidentially. Follow-up actions are tracked and the situation is monitored to ensure ongoing safety.

If Someone Discloses Abuse to You

Disclosures can happen at any time. Here's how to respond appropriately:

✅ DO

  • Stay calm and listen carefully
  • Take what the person says seriously
  • Reassure them they have done the right thing
  • Explain you must share the information with the safeguarding lead
  • Record the disclosure as soon as possible

❌ DO NOT

  • Promise confidentiality
  • Ask leading or investigative questions
  • Interrupt the person unnecessarily
  • Investigate the situation yourself
  • Confront the alleged abuser

Remember: Your responsibility is to listen, reassure, record, and report. Leave the investigation to the appropriate authorities.

Our Commitments

Kingdom Church Cambridge is committed to the following safeguarding standards:

  • The protection of children, young people, and adults at risk is of paramount importance to us
  • We will adopt safer recruitment best practice in the recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers
  • All staff and volunteers will be supported and trained to deliver best practice in safeguarding
  • We will maintain an anti-bullying policy with zero-tolerance, including cyber-bullying
  • We maintain an equality and diversity policy with zero-tolerance of discriminatory or abusive attitudes, language, or behaviours
  • We will record and store information accurately and securely, sharing appropriately in line with legal duties
  • We will ensure a clear whistleblowing policy so anyone can raise concerns without fear of retaliation
  • We will regularly review our policies and procedures for effectiveness and compliance
  • Relevant policies will be publicly available

Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers

If an allegation is made against a staff member or volunteer, it must be reported immediately to the DSL. Internal investigation will not take place. The DSL will seek advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) if necessary, and appropriate safeguarding procedures will be followed. The safety of the child or vulnerable person will always take priority.

Confidentiality & Information Sharing

Safeguarding information is handled carefully. Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis, confidentiality will be respected, and information will be shared with relevant safeguarding authorities where necessary to protect individuals. Safeguarding concerns must never be kept secret if someone may be at risk.

Review

This safeguarding policy is reviewed annually, updated when legislation or guidance changes, and reviewed following any serious safeguarding incidents. This ensures our practice remains effective, compliant, and safe.

Everyone's Responsibility

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. If you see something, hear something, or sense something isn't right — please report it. You could be protecting a life.

📞 Contact Safeguarding Lead