Safeguarding Children

The purpose of safeguarding is to ensure that children and young people are safe and protected from harm or abuse while under our care, so that they can grow and flourish in a loving and nurturing environment as God intended. While the Hong Kong government has clear legislation and guidelines relating to child protection, as believers we also have a clear biblical mandate to care for children and the vulnerable in our community.

Safeguarding is a broad concept that covers all the ways we create safe environments for children and young people.

 

Safeguarding includes prevention, awareness, policies and culture. Child protection is one important part of safeguarding, and it focuses more specifically on responding to cases where harm or abuse has already occurred or is suspected.

Through safeguarding, we seek to build a culture where every child and young person is valued and safe, reflecting God’s love, justice and care in all that we do.

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Safeguarding Adults at Risk of Harm

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Adults at risk of harm are any adults who, because of health, age, social circumstances or other personal factors, may be unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation. Being at risk of harm is not fixed. It can change over time and in different situations. A person may be more vulnerable at one stage of life or in a particular context and less so at another. Understanding this fluidity helps us respond appropriately and sensitively to each individual’s needs.

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Safeguarding adults shares the same overall goal as safeguarding children. Its purpose is to ensure safety, prevent harm and create caring and supportive environments. However, safeguarding adults also recognises that adults have autonomy and the right to make decisions about their own lives. While some adults may face risks, they are entitled to exercise their choices. Safeguarding therefore requires a careful balance between providing protection and respecting their wishes, dignity and independence. Our role is to support and empower adults at risk, helping them to make informed decisions and minimise harm without unnecessarily overriding their rights or creating dependency.

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Safeguarding also involves creating a safe and respectful environment across our church and community. By fostering a culture of care, remaining vigilant and responding appropriately to concerns, we ensure that safeguarding is integrated into everyday practice. Through these collective efforts, every adult in our care can be treated with dignity, supported in their decisions, and safeguarded from harm.