Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults at Risk at Holland Road
Our vision is to raise the next generation.
In fulfilling this vision the church:
has a programme of activities for children and young people
seeks to serve and support adults at risk
welcomes children, young people and adults at risk into the life of our community
The following statement is agreed annually at the Annual General Meeting
The 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 2013), adapted to our circumstances.
The church recognises its responsibilities for the Safeguarding of all adults at risk, defined by the Baptist Union as ‘any adult aged 18 or over who due to disability, mental function, age, illness or traumatic circumstances may not be able to take care or protect themselves against the risk of significant harm, abuse, bullying, harassment, mistreatment or exploitation’.
As members of this church we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and Safeguarding of all children, young people and adults at risk associated with the church and we will pray for them regularly.
In pursuit of this, we commit ourselves to the Safe to Grow Policy (safeguarding children and young people) and the Safe to Belong Policy (safeguarding adults at risk) and to the development of procedures to ensure their implementation.
Safe to Grow
The church will exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children/young people, whether paid or voluntary. All workers will be provided with access to appropriate training, support and supervision to promote the Safeguarding of children/young people.
The church will adopt a code of behaviour for all who are appointed to work with children/young people so that all children/young people are shown the respect that is due to them.
It is the duty of each church member and each member of the wider church family to prevent, respond to and report any physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children/young people disclosed, discovered or suspected. The church will fully co‐operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.
The church is committed to providing a safe environment for activities with children/young people and will adopt ways of working with children/young people that promote their safety and well-being.
The church is committed to the prevention of bullying of children/young people. The church will seek to ensure that the behaviour of any who may pose a risk to children/young people in the community of the church is managed appropriately.
Safe to Belong
The church is committed to the safeguarding of adults at risk and ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.
The church recognises that it is the responsibility of each of us to do our best to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of adults at risk and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
The church is committed to providing pastoral care and support to those who have experienced abuse.
The church undertakes to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with adults at risk.
The church is committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work.
Responsible people
The church has appointed Laura Lurcock as the Safeguarding Trustee to oversee and monitor implementation of the Policy and Procedures on behalf of the church’s charity trustees.
The church has appointed Penny Knowles, Mike and Sarah Bray, Rachel Oates, Ian Coldrick and Laura Lurcock as the Designated Person/s for Safeguarding to:
advise the church on any matters related to the Safeguarding of children/young people and adults at risk
take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
Policy and Procedures
A copy of the policy statement will be displayed permanently in the main entrance of the church building, the hall and the Connections Point. Each person working with children, young people and adults at risk (whether paid or voluntary) will be given a full copy of the policy and procedures and will be required to follow them. These will also be made available on request to anyone associated with the church.
The policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed at least annually. A report on the annual review will be given at the church Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the policy will be read out.