Safeguarding

Our Deacons

 

The Deacons are the trustees of the church and are responsible for all the legal mechanisms of the church. They can often be found doing other jobs or roles around church so look out for them!

 

SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT FOR WEST KINGSDOWN BAPTIST CHURCH

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Our vision

 

Seeking to be a welcoming community and provide a place of hospitality, we welcome children and adults at risk into the life of our community. Our activities are open to children and adults at risk, and may at times be offered specifically for them. Our premises are made available to organisations working with children and adults at risk.

 

Our safeguarding responsibilities

 

The church recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk, regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability.

 

As members of this church we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all associated with the church and will pray for them regularly. In pursuit of this, we commit ourselves to this policy and to the development of sound procedures to ensure we implement our policy well.

 

Prevention and reporting of abuse

 

It is the duty of each church member to help prevent the abuse of children and adults at risk, and the duty of each church member to respond to concerns about the well-being of children and adults at risk. Any abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected will be reported in accordance with our procedures. The church will fully co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.

 

Safer recruitment, support and supervision of workers

 

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

 

Respecting children and adults at risk

 

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

 

• Safer working practices

 

The church is committed to providing an environment that is as safe as possible for children and adults at risk and will adopt ways of working with them that promote their safety and well-being.

 

• A safer community

 

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

 

Safeguarding contact point within our church

 

The church has appointed the following individual to form part of the church safeguarding team:

 

NAME, Mrs Janet Stevenson, Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)

 

They 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.

 

Please contact if you have a safeguarding concern:

Mrs Janet Stevenson

Phone number: 07511 528638

Email address: ridgewood2009@hotmail.co.uk

 

Our church minister is also an important part of the Church Safeguarding Team. Where possible, the Church Safeguarding Team will work together if and when issues arise. However, each person has a responsibility to report allegations of abuse as soon as they are raised.

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Putting our policy into practice

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• The DPS will also work with the Baptist Union Safeguarding department when necessary. 

• Each worker with children and/or adults at risk will be DBS checked and either completed full safeguarding training or working towards it.

• The policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed annually, and any necessary revisions adopted into the policy and implemented through our procedures.

• The church will adhere to advice provided by the Baptist Union in regards to contracts and other procedures as required.

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Please Note: 

We do have more information to load onto our website when time is available regarding lone working, first aid etc. 

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