Avenue Baptist Church - Safeguarding Policy Statement

The vision of Avenue Baptist Church ("the church") is:

to see a transformed world though changed lives by the love of Jesus Christ.

 

In fulfilling this vision the church:

has a programme of activities with children, young people and adults at risk,

welcomes children, young people and adults at risk into the life of our community,

makes our premises available to organisations working with children, young people and adults at risk.

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The church recognises its responsibilities for the safeguarding of all children and young people under the age of 18 (regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability) as set out in statute including The Children Act 1989 and 2004, Care Act 2014 and  Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government 2023).

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The church also accepts a responsibility to ensure the safeguarding of adults at risk, being any person aged 18 years or over, who is in receipt of or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.

Additionally, the church will seek to protect from abuse or exploitation individuals who are considered displaced refugees seeking sanctuary in the UK.

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As members of this church we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safeguarding of all children, young people and vulnerable adults associated with the church and will pray for them regularly.

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​​In pursuit of this we commit ourselves to the following policies and to the development of procedures to ensure their implementation:

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1. Prevention and reporting of abuse and responding to concern

It is the duty of each church member and each member of the wider church family to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children, young people and adults at risk and the duty of all to respond to concerns about their well-being or possible exploitation financially or in circumstances considered modern day slavery.

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It is the duty of all to respond to concerns about the well-being of children, young people or adults at risk and to report any child abuse or abuse to a vulnerable adult disclosed, discovered or suspected.

 

The church will fully co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.

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2. Safe recruitment, support and supervision of workers

The church will exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children, young people or vulnerable adults, whether paid or voluntary. All workers will be provided with appropriate training, support and supervision to promote the safeguarding of children or adults at risk in their care.

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3. Safe behaviour: a code of behaviour for workers

The church will adopt a code of behaviour for all who are appointed to work with children and young people so that all children and young people are shown the respect that is due to them. Similarly it will adopt a code of behaviour for those dealing with adults at risk.

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4. Safe practice and safe premises

The church is committed to providing a safe environment for activities with children and young people and will adopt ways of working with children and young people that promote their safety and well-being. A similar code will be adopted in respect of dealing with adults at risk.

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5. A safe community

The church is committed to the prevention of bullying of children and young people or vulnerable adults. The church will seek to ensure that the behaviour of any who may pose a risk to children and young people or adults at risk in the community of the church is managed appropriately.

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6. Responsible people

The church leadership has appointed Pam THOMPSON as the Safeguarding Trustee to oversee and monitor implementation of the policy and procedures on behalf of the church's charity trustees.

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The church leadership has appointed Terry WHEELER as the Designated Person for Safeguarding to:

• advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and young people or adults at risk.

• take appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.

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7. Policy and procedures  

• A copy of this policy statement will be displayed permanently on the notice board in the foyer.   

• Each worker with children and young people or adults at risk, whether paid or voluntary, will be given a full copy of the policy and procedures and will be required to follow them.

• ​A full copy of the policy and procedures will be made available on request to any member of the church, parents or carers of any child or young person or adult at risk from the church or any other person associated with the church.

• ​The policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed at least annually.  

• This policy statement will be read annually at the AGM church meeting. 

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Agreed and accepted by Church Meeting -       November  2016

Read and Renewed by AGM                                February 2017

Read and Renewed by AGM                                March 2018/ March 2019/March 2020 / July 2021 /March 2022 / March 2023

Revised Policy and updated statement               March 2024

Read and Renewed by AGM                                March 2025 / March 2026