safeguarding Policy Statement
Our vision
The vision statement of Swaythling Baptist Church is to be a local Christ centred community, seeking to live together with patience, kindness, and respect; forgiving one another in love; working out our faith in service; building bridges for God’s grace to all sorts of people.
In fulfilling this vision we:
- Welcome children and adults at risk into the life of our community
- Run activities for children and adults at risk
- Make our premises available to organisations working with children and adults at risk
Our safeguarding responsibilities
Swaythling Baptist Church recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children and adults at risk, regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability.
As members of Swaythling Baptist Church we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all associated with the church and will pray for them regularly. In pursuit of this, we commit ourselves to this policy and to the development of sound procedures in accordance with statutory guidance to ensure we implement our policy well.
Prevention and reporting of abuse
It is the duty of each Swaythling Baptist Church member and each member of the wider church family to help prevent the physical, sexual, spiritual and emotional 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 co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.
Safer recruitment, support and supervision of workers
Swaythling Baptist 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
Swaythling Baptist 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
Swaythling Baptist 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
Swaythling Baptist 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 and adults at risk in the community of the church is managed appropriately.
Safeguarding contact points within our church
We have appointed the following individuals to form part of our safeguarding team:
Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS) 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.
Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS) supports the DPS in the implementation of this Policy and acts as DPS in their absence.
Safeguarding Trustee will raise the profile of safeguarding within Swaythling Baptist Church and oversee and monitor the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures on behalf of Swaythling Baptist Church trustees.
Our 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.
If you need to contact any of the safeguarding team please use the contact us form and we will make sure the relevant person gets back to you.
External guidance on safeguarding matters can be obtained from the Southern Counties Baptist Association:
http://www.scba.org.uk
Putting our policy into practice
- A copy of the Safeguarding Policy Statement will be displayed permanently on the church noticeboard and church office, 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 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 church AGM, and will be issued to the church members together with a report on the outcome of the annual Safeguarding Review.
