Safeguarding

Promoting a Safer Church

BETHANIA BAPTIST CHURCH

POLICY STATEMENT
On
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults in the Church

 
Bethania Baptist Church Leeswood
(Referred to as “the Church” in the policy statement)

The vision of the Church is: To Know God, to Grow in Christ, to Show Christ to Others
In fulfilling this vision the Church:

1. Has a programme of activities with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
2. Welcomes children, young people and vulnerable adults into the life of the Church Community

The church recognises its responsibilities for the safeguarding of all children, young people and vulnerable adults (regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability) as set out in the Children’s Acts 1989 and 2004, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the Social Services and Well Being (Wales) Act 2014. 
As members of the church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safeguarding of all children, young people and vulnerable adults associated with the church and will pray for them regularly.

 
Prevention and reporting of Abuse:
It is the duty of each church member and each member of the wider church family to:

1. Safeguard the welfare of all children and young people protecting them from neglect, physical, sexual, and emotional harm.
2. Safeguard the welfare of all vulnerable adults by protecting them from neglect, physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse.

And the duty of all to respond to concerns about the well-being of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to report any issue disclosed, discovered or suspected. The church will fully cooperate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.
 
Safe recruitment, support and supervision of workers:
The church will exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults, whether paid or voluntary. All workers will be provided with appropriate training, support and supervision to promote the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable Adults. Where appropriate DBS screening will be carried out and revalidated every 4 years. Volunteers are actively encouraged to join the Update Service.
 
Respecting children, young people and vulnerable adults:
The church will adopt a code of behaviour for all who are appointed to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults, so that all children, young people and vulnerable adults are shown the respect that is due to them.
 
Safe working practices:
The church is committed to providing a safe environment for activities with children, young people and vulnerable adults, and will adopt ways of working with them, that promote their safety and well-being.
 
A safe community:
The church is committed to the prevention of bullying of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The church will seek to ensure that the behaviour of any who may pose a risk to children, young people and vulnerable adults in the community of the church is managed appropriately.
 
Responsible people:
The church has appointed: Joyce M’Caw as the Safeguarding /Deacon to lead, oversee and monitor the implementation of the policy and procedures in order to help the Deacons meet their responsibilities.
 
The church has appointed:

1. Urban Saints as the Designated Person for Safeguarding for children and young people (contact details below)
2. ??And the Interdenominational Protection Panel based in Denbigh as the Designated Person for Safeguarding for Vulnerable adults (contact details below)

to take the key role of advising the Church on taking appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
 
Any concerns should be raised, in the first instance with Joyce M’Caw.
However, safeguarding of Children, Young People and Vulnerable adults is the responsibility of all of us.
 
Policy and procedures:
A copy of the policy statement will be displayed permanently on the notice board in the Church extension.
Each worker with children, young people and vulnerable adults whether paid or voluntary will be given a full copy of the policy and procedures and will be required to follow them.
A full copy of the policy and procedures will be made available on request to any member of the church, the parents or carers of any child, young person or vulnerable adult from the church or any person associated with the church.

The policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed at least annually
The policy statement will be read annually at the Church A.G.M. in February together with a report on the outcome of the annual review.
 
Last Reviewed     –     AGM February 2023
Next Review         –     AGM February, 2024
 
Contact details:
                            Urban Saints Support Centre,
                            Kestin House,
                            45 Crescent Road,
                            Luton
                            Bedfordshire
                            LU2 OAH

                            Warren Bowes
                            Volunteer Support Manager
                            Urban Saints
                            Call: 01582 589830
                            Email: wbowes@urbansaints.org

Mrs Sian Jones
Panel Diogelwch Cydenwadol / Interdenominational Protection Panel
Uned 1 Vale Parc
Ystâd Ddiwydiannol Colomendy / Industrial Estate
Dinbych /Denbigh 
LL16 5TA
01745 817584

sian@paneldiogelwch.org.uk
www.paneldiogelwch.org.uk