Safeguarding 

Promoting a Safer Church

We take Safeguarding seriously and believe that everyone has their part to play in helping to safeguard children and adults at risk within the life of the church. Please speak to one of the Safeguarding team or report a concern if:

• the behaviour of a child or adult at risk gives cause for concern.
• an allegation is made in any context about a child or adult at risk being harmed
• the behaviour of any individual towards children or adults at risk causes any concern. 

In an emergency where you believe that a child or adult at risk is at immediate risk of harm, contact the police then inform the Designated Person for Safeguarding (Hazel Barton) as soon as possible. 

If you wish to speak to someone outside of Belmont Road Baptist Church then please contact the Safeguarding Officer at the the Central Baptist Association. 

Our safeguarding policy is....
SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT FOR BELMONT ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
 
Our vision
The vision statement of Belmont Road Baptist Church is:
To show
Passion for Jesus and
Compassion for others
In fulfilling this vision, we:

• Welcome all children and adults including those at risk into the life of our community
• Run activities for children and adults including those at risk
• Make our premises available to organisations working with children and adults including those 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.
 
If in doubt please refer to the Baptist Union policy document entitled  “Model Safeguarding Policy & Procedures” (this is available from any designated person or the church secretary).
 
 
 
Safeguarding contact points within our church
 
The church has appointed the following individuals to form part of the church safeguarding team:
 
Paula Moore, Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
She 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.
 
 
Michele Gill, Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS)
She will assist the Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS) in helping 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.
 
 
Eirwen Marshall, Safeguarding Trustee
She 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.

 
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.
 
Further definitions of these roles can be found in the BUGB publications ‘Safe to Grow’ (2011) & ‘Safe to Belong’ (2015) and Best Practice Guide for Baptist Union of Britain Churches (2017)
 
 
Putting our policy into practice

• 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.