SBC Safeguarding Policy Statement

Stocksfield Baptist Church’s vision and purpose is laid down in its Family Covenant. In fulfilling this vision and purpose the church

• Has a programme of activities with children and young people
• Welcomes children and young people into the life of our community
• Makes our premises available to organisations working with children and young people.

Stocksfield Baptist Church recognises its responsibilities for the safeguarding of all children and young people under the age of 18 (regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability) as set out in The Children Act 1989 and 2004, ‘Safe from Harm’ (HM Government 1994) and ‘Working together to Safeguard children’ (HM Government 2010)

As members of Stocksfield Baptist Church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safeguarding of all children and young people 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.

1.  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 and young people, and the duty of all to respond to concerns about the well-being of children and young people and to report any child abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected. The church will fully cooperate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.

2.  Safe recruitment, support and supervision of workers

The church will exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children and young people, whether paid or voluntary. All workers will be provided with appropriate training, support and supervision to promote the safeguarding of children.

3.  Respecting children and young people

The church will adopt a code of behaviour for all who are appointed to work with children and young people so that all children and young people are shown the respect that is due to them.

4.  Safe working practices

The church is committed to providing a safe environment for activities with children and young people and will adopt ways of working with children and young people that promote their safety and well-being.

5.  A safe community

The church is committed to the prevention of bullying of children and young people. The church will seek to ensure that the behaviour or any who may pose a risk to children and young people in the community of the church is managed appropriately.

6.  Responsible people

The church has appointed Lizzie Hodgson evening Safeguarding Trustee to:

• Oversee and monitor implementation of the policy and procedures on behalf of the church’s managing trustees

The church has appointed Lizzie Hodgson as the Designated Person for Safeguarding to:

• Advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and young people
• Take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.

7.  Policy and procedures

A copy of this policy statement will be displayed permanently on the notice board in the Angus Room

Each worker with children and young people whether paid or voluntary will be given a full copy of the policy and procedures and will be required to follow them

A full copy of the policy and procedures will be made available on request to any member of the church, the parent s or carers of any child or young person from the church or any other person associated with the church.

The policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed at least annually

The policy statement will be read annually at the church meeting in March together with a report on the outcome of the annual review

Signed.............................................................Date................................

Next review due.......................................................................................