SAFEGUARDING POLICY

The vision statement of the church is “Seeking to know God through Jesus and make His love known in our community”

In fulfilling this vision

we welcome children, young people and adults into the life of our community

have a programme of events for children, young people and adults

when needed will make our premises available to organisations working with children, young people and adults.

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.

Safe 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.

Safe 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 points within our church

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

Mrs Alexandra Rance, Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)

and Safeguarding Trustee

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.

Phone number: 07808127676 or 01536 649784
Email address: alexandra_bbcdn@msn.com

Mrs June Newsome, Team Member

She will assist Alexandra in raising the profile of safeguarding within the church and help oversee and monitor the implementation of the safeguarding policy and procedures on behalf of the church trustees.

Phone number: 01933 460940 
Email address: junenewsome@hotmail.co.uk

Our church minister, Revd Rick Preston (minister@RingsteadSharedChurch.org.uk, 07961 867784) 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).

Putting our policy into practice

• A copy of the safeguarding policy statement will be displayed permanently on the church noticeboard and church office, and is available on our church website.
• Each worker with children and/or adults 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.