Safeguarding 

SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT FOR NORTH CHEAM BAPTIST CHURCH
 
Our vision
The vision statement of North Cheam Baptist Church is ‘Restored by Jesus to restore His purposes’.
 
As part of fulfilling this vision, the church:

• welcomes children and adults at risk into the life of our community
• runs activities for children and adults at risk
• may make its premises available to organisations working with children and adults at risk

 
Our safeguarding responsibilities
The church recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children (0-18 years old), young people (11 plus years old) and adults at risk, regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability.
The church commits itself to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all associated with the church and will pray for them regularly. In pursuit of this, the church commits itself to this policy and to the development of sound procedures to ensure the policy is implemented well.

• Prevention and reporting of abuse
  It is the duty of each church member to help prevent the abuse of children and adults at risk, and the duty of each church member to respond to concerns about the well-being of children and adults at risk. Any abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected will be reported in accordance with our procedures. The church will fully cooperate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.
• Safer recruitment, support and supervision of workers
  The church will exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children and adults at risk, whether paid or voluntary. All workers will be provided with appropriate training, support and supervision to promote the safekeeping of children and adults at risk.
• Respecting children and adults at risk
  The church will adopt a code of behaviour for all who are appointed to work with children and adults at risk so that all children and adults are shown the respect that is due to them.
• Safer working practices
  The church is committed to providing an environment that is as safe as possible for children and adults at risk and will adopt ways of working with them that promote their safety and well-being.
• A safer community
  The church is committed to the prevention of bullying. The church will seek to ensure that the behaviour of any individuals who may pose a risk to children, young people and adults at risk in the community of the church is managed appropriately.

 
Safeguarding contact points within our church
The church has appointed the following individuals to form part of the church safeguarding team:
 
HELEN RABY, Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
She will advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
Email address: safeguarding@ncbc.org.uk
 
STEPHEN DIXON, Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS)
He will assist the Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS) in helping the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
 
Tim Raby, Safeguarding Trustee
He will raise the profile of safeguarding within the church and oversee and monitor the implementation of the safeguarding policy and procedures on behalf of the church trustees.
Email address: secretary@ncbc.org.uk
 
The church minister is also an important part of the Church Safeguarding Team. Where possible, the Church Safeguarding Team will work together if and when issues arise. However, each person has a responsibility to report allegations of abuse as soon as they are raised.
 
Further definitions of these roles can be found in the BUGB publications ‘Safe to Grow’ (2011) & ‘Safe to Belong’ (2015).
 
Putting our policy into practice

• A copy of the safeguarding policy statement will be displayed permanently on the church noticeboard and is available on our church website.
• Each worker with children and/or adults at risk will be given a full copy of the safeguarding policy and procedures and will be asked to sign to confirm that they have read them and will follow them.
• A full copy of the policy and procedures will be made available on request to any member of, or other person associated with the church.
• The policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed annually, and any necessary revisions adopted into the policy and implemented through our procedures.
• The policy statement will be read annually at the Annual Church Meeting, together with a report on the outcome of the annual safeguarding review.