SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT FOR CAREY BAPTIST CHURCH
Our vision
Carey is a warm family friendly church in the heart of Preston. We seek to be a community committed to serving God and the people of Preston by growing closer to the Lord Jesus through worship, discipleship and sharing fellowship together as well as reaching out to others by proclaiming the Good News of Christ and serving the community.
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
The church recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children, young people[1] and adults at risk[2], regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability.
As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of those associated with the church. We 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.
- 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.
[1] Defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as anyone under the age of 18.
[2] An adult at risk can be anyone over the age of eighteen, including members, staff or
volunteers. Whilst personal characteristics may make an individual more vulnerable i.e. disability and communication difficulties, it is the situation around an individual which may increase risk or place them at potential risk of harm. It is therefore vital to be open to the possibility that any adult may be at risk and that this can be temporary or on-going depending on the support and protective factors around them.
- Safer working practices. The church is committed to providing an environment that is as safe as reasonably 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:
CLARE LEWIS, Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
They 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.
Phone number: 07739585860 Email address: rclarelewis@aol.com
RICHARD SPALDING, Safeguarding Trustee
They 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.
Phone number: 07818014463 Email address: spaldings@talktalk.net
Our team of deacons and minister (if appointed) are 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.
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 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 distributed to all members annually before the AGM, at which a report on the outcome of the annual safeguarding review will be presented.