Child Protection Policy Statement
Policy statement on children, young people and the church
This statement was agreed at the church meeting held on 15th Jan 2003.
It will be displayed prominently within the church building and there will be an annual report on its implementation at the church meeting.
- As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protecting and safekeeping of all 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, providing resources and training those who work with children and young people, and to provide appropriate supervision in relation to this policy.
- The church is committed to following the Home Office Code of Practice Safe from Harm and adopt the guidelines and procedures published by the Baptist Union of great Britain in it's publication Safe to grow (revised edition)
- Each worker with children and young people must understand this policy and undertake to observe it. Each shall be given a copy of the church's agreed Good Practice Guidelines, and shall agree to work according to it.
- As part of our commitment to children and young people, the church has appointed Liz Chennels and Andy Lloyd to be their Advocates. Their role will be regularly explained to children, and their names, addresses and phone numbers publicly displayed.
- A Child Protection Team will be appointed and it's membership ratified annually; an elder will always be one member of this team.