Policy Statement: Safeguarding of Children and Adults at Risk

This policy will be affirmed annually at a Church meeting deemed to be most appropriate where progress in carrying it out will be monitored.

As Christians we are charged to love and care for each other. We recognise that our work with children, young people (aged under 18 years) and adults at risk is the responsibility of the whole church. We believe that being part of the Christian family of the Church places responsibility on all her members, both institutional and individual, to ensure that the environment for all is safe. This includes particular attention to children, young people and those who are vulnerable who wish to share in the life of the church and who are offered support and pastoral care by the church, both formal and informal.

  1. As members of this church we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safeguarding of all children, young people (aged under 18 years) and adults at risk associated with the church and promoting their safety and well-being.
  2. It is the duty of each church member and each member of the wider church community to prevent the physical, sexual, spiritual and emotional abuse or neglect of children, young people and adults at risk and the duty of all to respond to concerns about the well-being of children, young people and adults at risk and to report any abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected. The church will fully cooperate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.
  3. We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children, young people (aged under 18 years) and adults at risk, whether paid or as a volunteer.
  4. The church is committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work.
  5. The church is committed to following the government's Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 guide.
  6. Each person who works with children, young people (aged under 18 years) or adults at risk will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by the church. Each worker with must know the recommendations and undertake to observe them. Every worker shall be given access to a paper or electronic copy of the church’s agreed procedures and Good Practice Guidelines.

This policy covers all of the church’s organised youth & children’s work and those activities which are specifically directed to the needs of adults at risk.

These include the following:

Start Central, Kids Central, Club Central, Youth Central, Home Central, Girls’ Brigade, Boys’ Brigade, Children’s Holiday Club, Ministerial work, Pastoral Work, Youth residential weekend, All one-off children & youth activities, Sunshine Group and Monday Club.

The church appoints:

Note: The Baptist Union of Great Britain defines an adult at risk as anyone aged 18 or over who due to disability, mental function, age, illness or traumatic circumstances may not be able to take care of or protect themselves against the risk of significant harm, abuse, bullying, harassment, mistreatment or exploitation.

Issue 03/01/24