Safeguarding
Child Safeguarding
Child safeguarding is an essential element of any organisation that works with children, and for faith-based organisations, safeguarding children is tied to Biblical principles of valuing children and caring for the vulnerable, as demonstrated throughout scripture and exemplified by Jesus Christ. Viva works with 42 partner networks, and each is encouraged to have their own active child safeguarding policy with training and support available from Viva where required.
Viva is currently reviewing its mechanisms for reporting child safeguarding concerns and will put relevant information here when that is available.
Safeguarding as a wider activity is not the focus of this web page, but Viva has a full Safeguarding Policy and is committed to safeguarding everyone who comes into contact with Viva.
Viva recognises its responsibilities for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and protecting them from abuse. It is never acceptable for a child to experience abuse of any kind.
Viva believes that:
Child safeguarding is both an individual and corporate responsibility.
All children and young people have equal rights to protection from abuse and exploitation, and inequalities should be challenged.
All children and young people should be encouraged to fulfil their potential.
The welfare of children and young people is paramount.
Everyone must take precautions and responsibility to help create a safe place for children and support their care and protection. This begins with everyone being well informed and aware of child protection issues.
Openness must be encouraged about concerns relating to child protection matters because child abuse thrives in secrecy.
Viva has a duty of care to children with whom it works and with whom partner networks work, and all actions regarding child safeguarding are taken in the best interests of the child.
Viva has a responsibility to ensure that all networking initiatives meet standards of protection for the children in their care.
Viva desires that:
All children are safeguarded, listened to, and believed in.
All children are involved in decisions that are made to protect them from harm.
People speak up for children at risk in every possible arena.
A safe and positive environment is provided for all children without discrimination.
Viva is committed to safeguarding every child so that they can become all that God intends. As Christians, it is Viva’s belief that children are created in the image of God and therefore have intrinsic worth. Every child is born equal in God’s sight with unique talents. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is the basis for understanding the rights of children globally, recognising that a child is anyone under the age of 18 years.
Simplified Child Safeguarding policy (less appendices)
Viva has a Child Safeguarding Policy, which can be found here.
A separate, wider Safeguarding Policy is also available to staff.
A link to Keeping Children Safe of which Viva is a member
Viva is a member of Keeping Children Safe, and additional resources and information can be found here:
Ending child abuse in organisations - Keeping Children Safe - Child Safeguarding
Statement of commitment to safeguarding
We believe that:
Safeguarding is both an individual and corporate responsibility
All people have equal rights to protection from abuse and exploitation and inequalities should be challenged
Openness must be encouraged about concerns relating to safeguarding
Viva commits to addressing safeguarding throughout its work, through the three pillars of prevention, reporting and response.
Further to the need to safeguard children, Viva recognises the inherent dignity and worth of all people. Viva believes that everyone we come into contact with, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or ethnic origin has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Viva will not tolerate abuse, bullying, harassment and exploitation by staff or associated personnel and is committed to communicating this message through the organisation and in partnership with partner networks.