SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT FOR HERTFORD BAPTIST CHURCH
Our vision
The vision statement of Hertford Baptist Church is:
‘Leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ’
In living out this vision, we:
- Welcome anyone, including 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
The church recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding 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 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 to ensure we implement our policy well.
- Prevention and reporting of abuse
It is the duty of everyone at Hertford Baptist Church to help prevent the abuse of children and adults at risk and, also, it is the duty of everyone to respond to concerns about the wellbeing 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
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 wellbeing.
- 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.
- A caring community
We are dedicated to providing pastoral care and support to those who have experienced abuse.
Safeguarding contact points within our church
The church has appointed the following individuals to form part of the church safeguarding team:
- Martin Colligan, Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
He 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: safeguardinghbc1906@gmail.com
- Sheila Knowles, Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS)
She 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.Email address: safeguardinghbc1906@gmail.com
- Peter Barlow, 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.Email address: safeguardinghbc1906@gmail.com
Our church ministers are also an important part of the Church Safeguarding Team.
- Alan Ward, Baptist Minister
- Helen Ward, Families, Young People and Community Outreach
- Dawn Weston, Prayer and Pastoral Care
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.
Please note: if a child or adult at risk is in imminent danger of harm, you should contact the police or emergency services without delay on 999.
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, together with a report on the outcome of the annual safeguarding review.
The church meeting adopts the guidelines of the BU model policy and the Safeguarding policy of Hertford Baptist Church.
Signed: Alan Ward
Our Safeguarding Policy is available from the Church Office.