Safeguarding 

Promoting a Safer Church

We take Safeguarding seriously and believe that everyone has their part to play in helping to safeguard children and adults at risk within the life of the church. Please speak to one of the Safeguarding team or report a concern if:

• the behaviour of a child or adult at risk gives cause for concern.
• an allegation is made in any context about a child or adult at risk being harmed
• the behaviour of any individual towards children or adults at risk causes any concern. 

In an emergency where you believe that a child or adult at risk is at immediate risk of harm, contact the police as soon as possible. 

If you wish to speak to someone outside of Belmont Road Baptist Church then please contact the Safeguarding Officer at the Central Baptist Association. 

Our safeguarding policy is....
SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT FOR BELMONT ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
 Our vision
The vision statement of Belmont Road Baptist Church is:
To show Passion for Jesus and Compassion for others
In fulfilling this vision, we:

• Welcome all children and adults including those at risk into the life of our community
• Run activities for children and adults
• Make our premises available to organisations working with children and adults including those at risk

 
Our safeguarding responsibilities
We are committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk, regardless of their background. The term ‘child’ refers to anyone under the age of 18 years old. An ‘adult at risk’ is defined as anyone aged 18 or over who due to a disability, mental function, age, illness or traumatic circumstances may not be able to protect themselves against significant harm, abuse, bullying, mistreatment, or exploitation (definition taken from Thirtyone:eight).  
Our church pledges to nurture, protect, and support all in our care through ongoing prayer and by committing to this policy and its procedures.
Our key commitments are:

• Prevention and reporting of abuse

Every church member has a duty to help prevent abuse and respond to concerns. Any abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected will be reported following our procedures, and we will fully co-operate with any statutory investigations.

• Safer recruitment, support and supervision of workers

All staff and volunteers working with children or adults at risk will be carefully selected, trained, and supported.

• Respect for all

The church has adopted a Code of Behaviour (Appendix 1) to ensure everyone working with children and adults at risk treats them with respect.

• Safer working practices

The church is committed to providing a safe environment and ways of working that promote safety and well-being.

• A safer community

The church is committed to preventing bullying and managing behaviour of anyone who may pose a risk to children, young people and adults at risk.
 
Safeguarding contact points within our church
 
The church has appointed the following individuals as our safeguarding team:
 
Paula Moore, Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
She will advise 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.
 
Michele Gill, Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS)
She 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.
 
Gill Kaye, Safeguarding Trustee
She 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.
 
The church minister is also an important part of the Church Safeguarding Team and collaborates on issues.  All are required to report allegations as soon as they are raised.
 
Putting our policy into practice

• The safeguarding policy statement is always displayed on the church noticeboard and on our church website.
• All workers with children and/or adults at risk receive the Safeguarding Pack, which includes the Safeguarding Policy Statement, Code of Behaviour, and instructions of how to Recognise, Respond, and Report abuse, and must agree to follow it. Workers will also be given BU Gateway to Level 2 Excellence in Safeguarding.
• A full copy of the policy is available for all workers, and anyone associated with the church.
• Policies and procedures will be reviewed annually; updates are adopted and implemented as needed.
• At the February AGM the church members will annually recommit to their responsibilities for safeguarding, safeguarding review outcomes will be reported, and the video of the BU Level 1 safeguarding will be played. The safeguarding video will also be played annually to the church congregation in a September Sunday service.