Safeguarding

A full copy of the updated church Safeguarding Policy, is available to view by appointment at the church with the administrator.

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

For the purpose of this guide, the term ‘child’ refers to anyone under the age of 18 years.

There is no standard single definition for an adult at risk, so for our policy we are using the following simple definition taken from Thirtyone (formerly Churches’ Child Protection Advisory 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’.

SECTION 1 – SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT

SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT FOR SHEFFORD BAPTIST CHURCH

Our vision

Is to follow Jesus Christ and make him known to others.

To that end, we base our core values on Biblical principles and seek to be a community which, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is increasingly Christlike.

We therefore:-

·         Welcome children and adults at risk into the life of our community

·         Subject to resources, hope to run activities for children and adults at risk

·         Make our premises 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.

 

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

 

Respecting children and young people at Shefford Baptist Church

 

Listening

 

• Treat all children and young people with respect and dignity.

• Use age appropriate language and tone of voice. Be aware of your own body
language, what this may be communicating and the impact this might have on the
individual child or young person

• Actively listen to children and young people. Be careful not to assume you know
what a child or young person is thinking or feeling. Listen to what is spoken and

reflect back what they have said in age appropriate language to ensure you have
understood. At the same time, observe their body language to better understand
what is being said. NSPCC research (2013) with children who disclosed abuse showed that fear of not being listened to, understood, taken seriously, or being believed were some of the barriers to sharing worries with adults.

Intimate / personal care

• Do not invade the privacy of children or young people when they are using the toilet or
washing

 

·         Do make sure another adult is present if, for example, a child has soiled
themselves needs changing / washing. If possible, the child’s own parent or
carer should be called in to carry out such a task.

Social interaction

Do not engage in any of the following:

 

·         Games involving physical contact between a leader and a child or young
person

 

·         Making suggestive remarks or threats to a young person, even in fun

 

·         Using sexually suggestive games

 

·         Making inappropriate or sexually suggestive comments about or to a child or
young person, even in ‘fun'

 

·         Scapegoating, belittling, ridiculing, rejecting or any action that may cause
humiliation or embarrassment to a child or young person.

 

Precautions

 

• When it is necessary to put boundaries in place to manage behaviour or keep
children and young people safe, this should be done without using physical
punishment. (A situation may, however, arise where a child or young person needs
to be restrained in order to protect them or a third person. Should this happen, a
written report should be submitted to your DPS, and discussion undertaken with the
child / young person’s care givers. A risk assessment should be considered, with
support of the DPS, parent/ carer and child / young person in order to reduce
likelihood of future restraint).

• Do not respond to, or encourage, excessive attention-seeking that is overtly sexual
or physical in nature.

• Be aware that children can use behaviours to communicate feelings and concerns,
and should any behaviours appear to be overtly sexual or physically risky in nature,
then report your concerns and seek advice from your church DPS in the first
instance.

• Workers should not normally plan to be alone with children and young people. Plan
activities that involve more than one other person being present, or at least are
within sight and hearing of others. This should be a key guiding principle for good
practice.