Safeguarding policy

Acts 435 Safeguarding Policy Statement

Acts 435 is committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults. We will carefully select, train and support all those with any responsibility within Acts 435.

Acts 435 works through local churches and charities as partners. These partners select people to be Acts 435 advocates and it is they who post requests for help on the Acts 435 website and then ensure the money/item gets to the beneficiaries.

Acts 435 requires partner churches and charities to be committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults. Advocates of Acts 435 sign a simple one-page commitment to confirm they will abide by the Advocate Guidelines which includes safeguarding procedures. However, the actual safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is a matter for each individual church and charity to address through their internal procedures.

Any questions, concerns or complaints about Acts 435 should be directed to the Executive Director of the charity in writing to Acts 435, The Gateway Centre, Acomb, York, YO24 3BZ or jherrera@acts435.org.uk.

If there is a complaint or concern about the safeguarding of an Acts 435 beneficiary or advocate, this will be forwarded to the leadership of the relevant partner church or charity for their response in accordance with their own safeguarding policy and procedures.

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention call the emergency services on 999. Do not delay.

There are other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services, including:

• NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
• Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 ((lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
• Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)