SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT FOR ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

Our vision

The vision statement of Zion Baptist Church is: a place where all are welcome, all can grow, and all are sent out to serve local and global communities.

In fulfilling this vision, we:

● Welcome children and adults who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘at risk’ into the life of our community

● Run activities for children and adults who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘at risk’

● Make our premises available to organisations working with children and adults who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘at risk

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Our safeguarding responsibilities

The church recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children, young people and adults who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘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 who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘at risk’, and the duty of each church member to respond to concerns about the well-being of children and adults. 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 who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘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 who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘at risk’.

Respecting children and adults who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘at risk’

The church will adopt a code of behaviour for all who are appointed to work with children and adults who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘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 who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘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 who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘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:

Mrs Evelyn Lisboa - Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)

She will assist in advising 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.

Email address: evelynlisboa@ntlworld.com

Mrs Jane Mann, Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)

She will assist in advising 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.

Email address: jane@deehouse.org.uk

Reverend Jason de Vaux, Safeguarding Trustee

He 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.

Email address: Revjasondevaux@mail.com

Our church minister is 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.

(Further definitions of these roles can be found in Appendix 4 – Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities; Best Practice Guidance for Baptist Union of Great Britain Churches; May 2023)

Putting our policy into practice

● A copy of the safeguarding policy statement will be displayed permanently on the church noticeboard in the Vestibule area and church office and is available on the church website .

● Each worker with children and/or adults who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘at risk’ will be given a full copy of the safeguarding policy and procedures 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 and procedures will be monitored and reviewed annually, and any necessary revisions adopted into the policy and implemented through our procedures.

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

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

For the purpose of this Statement, Policy and relating Procedures, the term ‘child’ refers to anyone under the age of 18 years.

There is no standard single definition for an “adult at risk who may be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘at risk’”, so for the purposes of this Statement, Policy and relating Procedures we are using the following simple definition taken from Thirtyone:eight (an Independent Christian Advisory & Support Service):

‘Any adult aged 18 or over who due to disability, mental function, age, illness or traumatic circumstances may not be able to take care or protect themselves against the risk of significant harm, abuse, bullying, harassment, mistreatment or exploitation’.

Date adopted: 28 May 2023

Next reviewed date: April 2024