POLICY STATEMENT

(Adopted from the Baptist Union of Great Britain ‘Safe to Grow’ 2011 guidelines)

Shirley 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 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 implementation.

Prevention and reporting of abuse and responding to concern:

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 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.

Safe behaviour: a code of behaviour for workers:

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

Safe practice and safe premises:

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.

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 Clint Zvavamwe as the Safeguarding Trustee to oversee and monitor the implementation of the policy and procedures on behalf of the church’s charity trustees.

The church has appointed Clint Zvavamwe as the Designated Person for Safeguarding and Catherine Chipande as Deputy Designated Person to:

• Advise the church on any matters related to 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 noticeboard in the main hall entrance.

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 Safeguarding Policy will be made available on request to any member of the church and to the parents or carers of any child or young person.

The policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed annually.

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