Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults in the Church
The vision and purpose of Spurgeon Baptist Church (the Church) is to Reveal God’s Love to the Community.
In fulfilling this vision and purpose the Church
- Has a programme of activities with children, young people and vulnerable adults
- Welcomes children, young people and vulnerable adults into the life of our community
- Makes our premises available to organisations working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The Church recognises its responsibilities for the safeguarding of all children, young people under the age of 18 and vulnerable adults (regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability) as set out in the Children’s Act 1989 and 2004, Safe from Harm (HM Government 1994) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government 2010).
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.
In pursuit of this we commit ourselves to the following policies and to the development of procedures to ensure their implementation.
Prevention and reporting of abuse
It is the duty of each Church member and each member of the wider Church family to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults and the duty of all to respond to concerns about the well being of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to report any child abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected. The Church will fully co-operate with any Statutory Investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the Church.
Safe Recruitment, support and supervision of workers and volunteers
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.
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 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 to 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 Lesley Dungate as the Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS) and Safeguarding Trustee to:
- Advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults and take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
- 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.
The Church has appointed Anne Caines as the Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS) to:
- Assist the DPS in helping the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults and take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
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.
Policy and Procedures
A copy of this Policy Statement will be displayed permanently on the Spurgeon Baptist Church noticeboard and be contained on the Church official website.
Each worker with children, young people and vulnerable adults, whether paid or voluntary, will be given a copy of this policy and procedures and asked to sign to confirm that they will follow them.
Once complete, a full copy of this policy 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.
The policy statement will be contained within the AGM pack every year together with any amendments proposed from the review process.
March 2022
Adopted AGM 2022