Safeguarding

The safety and well-being of children and young people is of the highest priority in all ABC’s activities and events. All our leaders and helpers are required to have DBS clearance, and we operate a safeguarding policy which covers all aspects of our church groups and events. This is continually reviewed, and a summary statement is on display on the noticeboard at church.

Download Best Practice Guidelines

Download Full Safeguarding Policy

Summary Statement

This statement was agreed at the annual church members meeting. It will be read annually at the church meeting and progress will be reviewed.

As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all, especially children and young people.

It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children and young people and to report any abuse discovered or suspected.
We recognise that our work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church.
We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children and young people whether paid or volunteer.
The church is committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who work with children and young people, and to providing supervision.
The church is committed to following the Home Office Code of Practice Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018), and adopts the guidelines and procedures published by the Baptist Union of Great Britain in Safe to Grow (2015).
Each worker with children and young people must know the recommendations and undertake to observe them. Each shall be given access to a copy of the church’s agreed procedures and Good Practice Guidelines.
We have appointed Jane Spencer as a Designated Person, who has professional expertise in child protection matters, and may be referred to in confidence should relevant concerns arise.

If you have any concerns for a child or in relation to any child protection matter then speak to one of the following who have been approved as safeguarding co-ordinators for this church.