Policy Statement on Safeguarding Children and Young People in the Church
Woodstock Baptist Church
(referred to as "the church" in the Policy Statement)
The vision of the church is
To bring people to Christ; to become like Christ.
In fulfilling this vision the church
- has a programme of activities with children and young people.
- welcomes children and young people into the life of our community.
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 2010) [or Working Together under the Children Act (Welsh Assembly Government 2006)].
As members of this 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.
PREVENTION and REPORTING of ABUSE
It is the duty of each church member of the wider church family to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children and young people. It is 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 co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.
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.
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.
SAFE WORKING PRACTICES
The church is committed to providing a safe environment for activities with children and young people and will implement ways of working with children and young people that promote their safety and well-being.
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 of any who may pose a risk to children and young people in the community of the church is managed appropriately.
RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE
The church has appointed Jenny Waller 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 Jill Fox 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.
POLICY AND PROCEDURES
A copy of the policy statement will be displayed permanently on the notice board in the entrance to the church.
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 parents 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.
