Leadership Safeguarding Statement

The Leadership, Jessica Hartwig, Ross Hartwig, Alison Tyler & Jacqui Pattison (hereafter referred to as the Leadership) recognises the importance of its ministry /work with children and young people and adults in need of protection and its responsibility to protect everyone entrusted to our care. We are committed to creating and enabling a healthy culture in order to minimise any coercion and control within our church.

The following statement was agreed by the leadership on 3rd March 2025

Hertford Community Church is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults with care and support needs and ensuring their well-being.

Specifically:

We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent harm or abuse of children and adults with care & support needs in all their recognised forms.
We believe every child and adult should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that all we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing significant harm.
We recognise the personal dignity and rights of adults and children and will ensure all our policies and procedures reflect this.
We believe all people should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of Hertford Community Church unless they pose a risk to the safety of those we serve.
We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of all those who will work with children and adults with care and support needs.

We are committed to:

Following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and adults 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 in regard to people with disabilities.
Ensuring that workers adhere to the agreed procedures of our safeguarding policy.
Keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.
Supporting the safeguarding co-ordinator/s in their work and in any action they may need to take in order to protect children/ adults with care and support needs.
Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by Hertford Community Church.
Supporting, resourcing, and training those who undertake this work.
Supporting all in Hertford Community Church affected by abuse.

We recognise:

Children’s Social Services has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child. Adult Social Care has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs.
Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

We will review this statement and our policy and procedures annually.

If you have any concerns for a child or adult with care and support needs then speak to one of the following who have been approved as safeguarding co-ordinators for Hertford Community Church.

Jacqui Pattison - Safeguarding Coordinator
Alison Tyler - Deputy Safeguarding Coordinator

Alternatively, contact us using the following email address: safeguarding@hertfordcommunitychurch.org

A copy of the full policy and procedures is available from the Safeguarding Coordinator

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at the Sele Farm Community Centre (details here) for our Sunday Gatherings, which starts at 10.30am.
There are plenty of car parking spaces.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits, sometimes before the service, sometimes at the end.

Accessibility: There are a few disabled parking bays outside. and the building is accessible with a wheelchair. There is also a disabled toilet.

Our Service

images: Services

What about my kids?

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, songs and notices. We really value worshipping God all together as a family.

Getting Connected

Small Groups (called Life Groups)

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our Life Groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have two Life Groups that meet in the week, both of them in the evening. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Other Ministries

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Leader 1		Leader 2
Leader Intro		Leader Intro

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

(Handwritten Signature)