Gateway Church Swindon ('GCS') is committed to safeguarding children (those under 18 years of age) and adults with care and support needs, or at risk of harm ('adults at risk') within our care. We believe that it is always unacceptable for a child or adult at risk to experience neglect or abuse of any kind.

• We all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and neglect of children, and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
• 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 suffering harm.
• All children have the right to be treated with respect, to be listened to, and to be protected from all forms of abuse.
• We all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, and discriminatory abuse, and neglect of adults at risk, and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
• Faith organisations like ours have an inherent risk of spiritual abuse and we ensure we do all we can to prevent it and report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
• The personal dignity and rights of adults at risk should be reflected in all of our policies and procedures.
• All adults should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of GCS unless they pose a risk to the safety of ourselves, those we serve, or themselves.

• Following the requirements of UK legislation about safeguarding children and adults at risk, and good practice recommendations.
• Respecting the rights of children as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Implementing the requirements of legislation regarding people with disabilities.
• Ensuring that workers adhere to the agreed procedures of our Safeguarding Policy.
• Keeping up to date with national and local developments related to safeguarding.
• Exercising proper care in the appointment and selection of all those who will work with children and adults at risk.
• Supporting those involved in coordinating safeguarding in their work and in any action they may need to take to protect children or adults at risk.
• Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by GCS.
• Supporting parents and families.
• Nurturing, protecting, and safeguarding children.
• Supporting, resourcing, training, monitoring, and providing supervision to all those who undertake this work.
• Supporting all in GCS affected by abuse in any form.

If you'd like to request to see our Safeguarding Policy, please contact us on 01793 526130 or email us at safeguarding@gcswindon.org.uk

If you have any concerns about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, please contact us as soon as possible.