Our Vision 2025
To become a church that is a blessing and spiritual home for many in our village by sharing through action and words the life-changing good news of Jesus Christ with all.
In fulfilling this vision the church:
- Has a programme of activities with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
- Welcomes children, young people and vulnerable adults into the life of our community.
- The church recognises its responsibilities for the safeguarding of all vulnerable adults; and specifically, 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 vulnerable adults, 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.
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 the safekeeping of all persons 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.
The following positions of responsibility are required to produce a valid DBS certificate to the Safeguarding Trustee:
- The Minister/Pastor/Missional Leader
- All employees
- All regular group leaders and volunteers that are left in sole charge of children or vulnerable people
- Members of the diaconate.
Details from these certificates will be recorded onto a secure register held by the church.
To further reinforce these commitments and responsibilities, a safeguarding DVD will be shown during a member’s meeting annually and be available to all who wish to view it separately.
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 Points Within Our Church
The church has appointed the following individuals to form part of the church Safeguarding Team:
The “Safeguarding Team” has been formed at SGBC to give additional advice, support and accountability to those that currently serve the church in this area. It consists of 3 positions including:
Monica. Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
Monica will act as the first point of contact for the church family and visitors regarding any safeguarding concerns.
Advise the Safeguarding Team on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and take the appropriate action in consultation with (where possible) the Safeguarding Team when abuse is disclosed, discovered, or suspected.
Tim. Safeguarding Trustee
Tim 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. He will also review and update the church policy annually and give a summary report to the Diaconate also annually. He is also an approved Safeguarding facilitator and undertakes training courses through the CBA.
Pastor/Minister
Rev. Louise Gilbertson. Church Minister
The Pastor/Minister/Missional Leader is also an important part of the Church Safeguarding Team providing pastoral support.
Email: louisesgbc@gmail.com
The remit of the group will be to share information and make an initial group decision on what action to take regarding any incidents either personally witnessed or reported to them. All correspondence will be filed and all email correspondence will copy in (CC) the church email – office@lifeinseergreen.org
Where possible, the Church Safeguarding Team will work together when issues arise. However, each person has a responsibility to report allegations of abuse as soon as they are raised.
The church has on display, in numerous locations throughout the building, a “Tell Us” poster that reminds people of their most basic obligations to safeguarding. It also includes a photograph and details of each of the Designated Persons for SGBC.
Training
All church workers (paid and voluntary) who work with children and/or adults at risk should attend the BUGB Level 2 Excellence in Safeguarding training before they are able to work without supervision. The Baptist Union of Great Britain also publishes an ‘Introduction to Safeguarding’ guide for new workers (paid and voluntary) that is available free of charge from their website. This training must be repeated every 4 years in accordance with the Baptist Union (BU).
Putting Our Policy into Practice
- A copy of the safeguarding policy statement will be displayed permanently on the church notice board and church office albeit without the final signatures page and is available on the church website.
- Each worker with children and adults at risk will be given a full copy of the “safeguarding policy and procedures” document and will be asked to sign to confirm that they will follow them.
- A full copy of the policy and procedures will be made available on request to any member of, or other person associated with the church.
- The policy is monitored and reviewed annually, and after any incident where any revisions are appended and/or amended.
- The policy statement will be read annually at the church AGM, together with a briefing of the review.
- This policy document should be read in conjunction with the current SGBC Health and Safety Policy and subsequent Risk Assessments.
If you would like access to the church’s full safeguarding policy or have any queries about this statement, please email: office@lifeinseergreen.org