WEST MALLING BAPTIST CHURCH

Registered Charity no. 1130977

 

This revised statement replaces previous statements:

Safeguarding Children and Young People in the Church (2013)

Protection of Adults at Risk Policy (2016).

Approved by the Church Trustees on: 13th September 2018
It was brought to the church meeting in: January 2022
This policy statement will be reviewed annually by the Trustees in September

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SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT FOR WEST MALLING BAPTIST CHURCH

(West Malling Baptist Church is referred to as ‘the church’ in this Policy Statement)

Our vision
All human beings are made by God in his image, and as such we have a responsibility and duty to safeguard
the children and adults in our care from harm.

The church will endeavour to model its worship, fellowship and mission within the community so that:

• We welcome children and adults at risk into the life of our fellowship

• That they are listened to, given a sense of belonging, nurtured, and kept safe

• Parents and carers are supported and encouraged

• Those who work with children, young people and adults at risk are supported and valued

• Make our premises available to organisations working with children and adults at risk

 

The church will provide:

• A welcoming environment to children and adults at risk into the life of our community

• A programme of activities with children and young people

 

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 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 co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected
abuse linked with the church.

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• 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.

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• 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:
 

A deacon or trustee as the Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS):

• To advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk.

• To take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
   

Janice Webb (deacon/trustee) as the Safeguarding Trustee:

• To raise the profile of safeguarding within the church

• To oversee and monitor implementation of the policy and procedures on behalf of the church’s charity 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.

(Further definitions of these roles can be found in Appendix 4 – Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities)

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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• The policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed annually, and any necessary revisions adopted into the policy and implemented through our procedures.

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• The policy statement will be read annually at the Church Member’s meeting in January, together with a report on the outcome of the annual safeguarding review.

This policy statement is reviewed annually by the Trustees in September.