Safeguarding

Welcome to the Safeguarding page for New Park Road Baptist Church.

Safeguarding Policy Statement for New Park Road Baptist Church

This statement was agreed at the Church Meeting on 26th November 2023. 

Our safeguarding responsibilities 

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.

•  It is the duty of each member to help prevent the abuse of children, young people  and adults at risk, and to respond to concerns about their well-being. Any abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected will be reported in accordance with our Safeguarding Procedures. The church will fully co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the church.

•  The church will exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children, young people 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.

•  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. 

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

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

Safeguarding contact points within our church  

The church has appointed- 

(a)   Mrs Rachel Swaby as Designated Person for Safeguarding, to advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and take appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected. (Tel 07956 580 672 Email rachel@nprbaptist.org)

(b)  Mrs Audrey Hayes as deputy to assist the Designated Person for Safeguarding.

  (Tel 07941 841 847 Email hayespeck@gmail.com)

(c)   Mrs Susan Saidu as safeguarding trustee, she is responsible for raising the profile of safeguarding within the church. She will oversee and monitor the implementation of the policy and procedures on behalf of the church trustees. 

(d)  Mrs Gill Ashley-Smith as DBS administrator, responsible for handling DBS checks for people involved in children, young people and adults at risk. She reports to the Designated Person for Safeguarding.

Our church minister is also an important part of the Church Safeguarding team. Where possible this team will work together if and when issues arise. Each person has a responsibility to report allegations of abuse as soon as they are raised. 

Putting our policy into practice 

•A copy of the safeguarding policy will be displayed permanently on the church notice board and church office.

•Each worker with children, young people and 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 all the policy and procedures will be made available on request to any church member 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.