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Safeguarding policy

1. Policy statement

Church Urban Fund (CUF) equips people and churches to make a difference where they live. At CUF, we believe that everyone has a right to live a life free from abuse or exploitation, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage or racial culture, religious belief, sexual orientation, economic status or otherwise.

By helping churches and other groups to meet the needs of communities around them, we can create strong and loving communities, reducing the likelihood of abuse or exploitation.

We will only work with churches and groups who share our vision of ending poverty together, and our understanding of the need for robust safeguarding policies and procedure; working with organisations who take proactive steps to prevent abuse or exploitation and who have effective measures in place to deal with any concerns that do arise.

Where a concern relates to a member of CUF staff, we will take a zero tolerance approach through our own internal safeguarding processes.

2. Who this policy applies to

This Policy sets out CUF’s position and guidance on safeguarding and protecting children and adults.
It applies to any church, group, or organisation who is supported by CUF in any way, through funding, partnership, or through using our tools or initiatives:

  • Growing Good
  • The Church Urban Foundation Academy
  • The Together Network
  • Near Neighbours
  • AMEN
  • Places of Welcome
  • Catalyst
  • Positive Pathways
  • Wayfinder
  • Just Finance Foundation

Our terms and conditions make it clear that, where support is provided, the recipient agrees to the requirements set out in this policy.

What the policy covers

The policy explains:

  1. The meaning of terms used in this policy
  2. Our response to a safeguarding concern that relates to anybody who works for CUF, or about CUF as a whole
  3. What we require of all recipients of our support in relation to safeguarding children and adults
  4. What your Safeguarding policy and procedures should include, as a minimum
  5. Links to external guidance on safeguarding and protection policies and procedures

4. Meaning of terms used in this policy

Abuse: can include physical, sexual or emotional harm, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment, radicalisation or exploitation. Abuse can take place in person or online, by any person (which could include by other children and adults or by people in positions of trust).

Adult at Risk: Some adults may have additional support needs which may result in additional actions being taken, in line with the Care Act 2014, where there are concerns about abuse. An individual aged 18 years and over who:

  • has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) AND;
  • is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, AND;
  • as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

Child/ren: Children and young people (meaning people under the age of 18 years)

Safeguarding: proactive steps taken to prevent abuse against children and adults, including the action the organisation takes to promote the welfare of everyone including children and adults at risk to protect them from harm.

Protecting: responding to concerns and/or disclosures that a Child or Adult at Risk may be experiencing or be at risk of abuse.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

The Designated Lead is the Deputy CEO supported by the CEO who acts as deputy.

All Trustees have an equal responsibility for the implementation of this policy.

All staff have received basic introductory safeguarding training. Those who have received additional safeguarding training will be logged via HR training records. There is a staff involvement steering group, monitored by the Deputy CEO, alongside a named member of staff. DBS will be required in line with the partner organisations, and when the Job Description meets the following requirements: https://www.gov.uk/government/...


6. How we will respond to concerns about a person who works for the Church Urban Fund

We seek to ensure that everyone who is affiliated to CUF maintains the highest safeguarding protocols, to keep those who are served, and members of staff safe.

Anyone with immediate concerns where someone is in danger must call 999.

All concerns must be raised with the Designated Lead or one of the deputies. Where appropriate, referrals will be made to the relevant LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) / PIPOT (Persons In Position Of Trust) from the relevant Local Authority and the Police for investigation. This includes any matters of non-recent or historic abuse.

If the concerns raised relate to the Designated Lead or their deputies, the matter will be raised with the Trustee lead. In such circumstances, the member of staff may be suspended, pending investigation, in line with our disciplinary processes.

7. What we require of any church, group or organisation we support in terms of safeguarding

  • Have their own tailored safeguarding policy which is proportionate and relevant to their organisation’s activities and has been agreed by their trustees or other governing body. This policy must be reviewed regularly, and staff and trustees must be trained on its contents.
  • Recognise that when they sign an agreement with CUF (whether this is a grant agreement, contract or partnership agreement), this includes agreeing to fulfil the expectations set out in this policy.
  • Take a common sense approach to safeguarding.
  • Acknowledgement that a failure to have adequate safeguarding arrangements in place, which are proactively used, may result in CUF’s support being withdrawn.

To help enable a safe and protective culture in your organisation, all churches, groups or organisations we support, in any way, commit to:

  • Prioritising the safety and wellbeing of everyone, including all Children and Adults who come into contact with your organisation (including contact with your centres, projects, staff and/or volunteers).
  • Clearly outlining to everyone in your organisation (permanent and fixed-term employees, non-executive committee members, agency staff, interns, volunteers, contractors, and consultants) your mandatory policies and processes, and a code of conduct that keep people safe.
  • Have a tailored, up-to-date procedure for reporting concerns and disclosures that everyone knows about and feels confident in applying.
  • Ensuring that staff and volunteers are adequately trained in safeguarding.

8. What a partner organisation’s Safeguarding and Protection policy and procedures should include, as a minimum:

  • A statement outlining your organisation’s commitment to safeguarding adults and children.
  • Specific safeguarding and protection risk areas for your organisation and how you address them.
  • Who is responsible for safeguarding.
  • How to report concerns and disclosures.
  • What happens if someone does not uphold your policy or procedures.
  • How you protect whistle-blowers or others who raise a concern about your organisation.
  • How often the policy and procedures will be reviewed and kept up to date.
  • Links to your related policies and processes.

When an organisation should report a safeguarding issue to the Church Urban Fund

Any safeguarding issue that is presented to CUF should be dealt with in line with the organisation’s own safeguarding policy and ensure that it meets the requirements of any regulators such as the charity commission and relative legislation such as Children’s Act (1989) and Care Act (2014).

In the event of a serious safeguarding issue, CUF requests to be informed within seven days of the issue, so that CUF are aware of the situation. CUF reserve the right to request additional information if deemed proportionate and necessary.

CUF reserves the right to terminate your contract if it is felt that you have not adhered to the terms within this policy.

9. Transparency

This policy and relevant procedures are publicised on the CUF website, and Intranet (for staff awareness). In addition, safeguarding information is clearly displayed at the CUF office.

It is requested that partner organisations demonstrate a similar level of transparency.

10. If partner organisations require advice, we recommend that you review the guides for organisations produced by:

• The Ann Craft Trust at: https://www.anncrafttrust.org/
• The NSPCC at: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/...
• NCVO Safeguarding Resources at: https://knowhow.ncvo.org.uk/sa...


Board sign-off date: April 2026 V3
Implementation Date: May 2026
Responsibility: Deputy CEO
Review date: April 2027