Preamble

Every person has a value and dignity which come directly from their creation in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people and therefore to protect them from harm.

Principles

We are committed to:

• The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people, vulnerable adults, people with a disability, and all those who from time to time can become vulnerable. We are committed to the care and nurture of young people within our Knighthood family, and to upholding the dignity and wellbeing of vulnerable adults.
• Endeavouring to be respectful in our shared pastoral ministry, with children, young people, vulnerable adults, and people with a disability, that there may be a culture of valuing and validating all.
• The establishing whenever we meet of a safe, caring community which provides a loving environment where there is a culture of vigilance and awareness as to the dangers of abuse.
• Review the safeguarding policy each year at the BHF AGM, and to ensuring that there is access to safeguarding awareness training at any time.
• To ensure that everyone has access to the policy at this time and through the website.

POLICY

• We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that a person may have  been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
• As trustees we will ensure that we both have and provide awareness training to enable all the Knighthood membership to follow safeguarding principles.
• We will ensure that any activity with young people is supervised appropriately at all times.
• In line with our procedures, we will seek to work in a supportive way with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
• We will all seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
• We will offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and working alongside referral to the proper authorities, of to any member of our Knighthood family known to have offended against a child, young person, vulnerable adult or person with a disability.
• We will follow statute, guidance and recognized good practice. As part of this, members will not knowingly place themselves in a situation where they will expose themselves to the risk of harm. We will all seek to take responsibly in protecting and safeguarding each other from situations where harm could arise.

Procedure

In the event of a concern, complaint, or disclosure, the named people to contact are Purpose (Georgina Vye) Knighthood Safeguarding Lead or Illumine (Rosalind Sellers) Deputy Safeguarding Lead. They will fully document the matter and decide on the appropriate next steps in dealing with the situation.

Document History

Agreed on        February 2026

Signed by

Chair of BHF

Leader of Knighthood

Presented to members at AGM    September 2026

Signed by

Chair of BHF

Leader of Knighthood

Trustees training completed       February 2026

To be updated in February 2029