POLICY STATEMENT ON SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE & ADULTS AT RISK AT QUINTON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH

 

The vision of Quinton Park Baptist Church ("the church") is: “Christ at the heart, in the heart of Cheylesmore.”

 

In fulfilling this vision we, in the church​​

• welcome children, young people and adults at risk into the life of our community

• have a programme of activities with children and young people.

• provide support to adults at risk.

• make our premises available to organisations working with children, young people and adults at risk.

• The church recognises its responsibilities for the safeguarding of all children, young people and adults at risk (regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability).

 

As members of this church we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safeguarding of all associated with the church and will pray for them regularly.

 

In pursuit of this we commit ourselves to the following policies and to the development of procedures to ensure their implementation.

 

1. Prevention and reporting of abuse and responding to concern

It is the duty of each church member and each member of the wider church family to prevent the physical, emotional (including verbal abuse), financial and spiritual abuse of children, young people and adults at risk and the duty of all to respond to concerns about the well-being of children, young people and adults at risk and to report any abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected. The church will fully co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.

 

2. 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 adults at risk, whether paid or voluntary. All workers will be provided with appropriate training, support and supervision to promote the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk.

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3. Safe behaviour: a code of behaviour for workers

The church will adopt a code of behaviour for all who are appointed to work with children, young people and adults at risk so that all are shown the respect that is due to them.

 

4. Safe practice and safe premises

The church is committed to providing a safe environment for children, young people and adults at risk and will adopt ways of working that promote their safety and well-being.

 

5. A safe community

The church is committed to the prevention of bullying of children, young people and adults at risk. The church is dedicated to providing pastoral care and support to anyone who has experienced abuse. The church will seek to ensure that the behaviour of anyone who may pose a risk to children, young people and adults at risk in the community of the church is managed appropriately.

 

Policy and procedures​

A copy of this policy statement will be publicly displayed on the church noticeboard and website.

 

• Each worker with children, young people and adults at risk 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 family or carers of any child, young person or adult at risk from the church or any other person associated with the church.

 

The policy and procedures are based on the Baptist Union “Safe to Grow” and ‘Safe to Belong’ Safeguarding guidelines and will be monitored and reviewed annually. The policy statement will be available to read annually at the church meeting together with a report on the outcome of the annual review.