Our Safeguarding Policy
Our Safeguarding Policy
Our Safeguarding Procedures
Safeguarding procedures for Stroud Baptist Church
The safeguarding procedures of Stroud Baptist Church set out how our Safeguarding Policy statementt is implemented in all its services, groups and meetings that are held in the life of the church.
Each trustee, Church Leader and Worker (Paid or voluntary) is required to be familiar with these procedures.
For those in leadership roles, to have attended both level 2 and level 3 BUGB Excellence in Safeguarding training to ensure that there is the knowledge and confidence needed to deal with safeguarding issues as they arise.
Additionally all church workers (paid or voluntary) who work with children (definition of children: those not yet had their 18th birthday) and/or adults at risk should attend the BUGB level 2 Excellence in Safeguarding training before they are able to work without supervision.
The following gives information on how to recognise and report abuse and how to respond to concerns raised within the church.
It is vitally important that these procedures are read and well known.
Procedure for recognising, responding, recording and reporting abuse
What to do when there are concerns that a child, young person or adult is being abused
- It is important to say that everyone has a part to play in helping to safeguard children and adults at risk in the life of the church. It is not just for those in leadership roles.
Abuse comes in a range of settings by those known to them or more rarely, by a stranger. It may be through inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm.
Key Points
- Does the behaviour of a child or adult cause concern.
- Does the behaviour of any individual towards either a child or adult cause concern.
- If an allegation in any context is made about a child or adult being harmed
If you have a concern, there is a duty to:
‘Recognise, Respond, Record and Report’
Does it look, feel or sound right?
trust your instincts. if it feels wrong in any way, then it probably is.
1. RECOGNISE….that abuse may be taking place.
- RESPOND…to the concern. Do not delay or leave it to someone else to act.
Ways to contact:
Get in touch with the safeguarding team on their designated address: safe@stroudbaptist.co.uk
Phone/text the DPS or other members of the safeguarding team.
Put a concern in writing.
Remember do not speak to anyone else about it.
Safeguarding Trustee
Name Mike Taylor Phone Number 07494904994
Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
Name Janet Ryan Phone Number 07419749005
Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS)
Name David Jewitt Phone Number 07908417368
3. RECORD… you may be asked to put something in writing or you can use this way of reporting as an initial contact to the safeguarding team.
This can be either handwritten or typed. If you have one, use a standard incident report form (available from the church website or from the safeguarding team), if not write your notes on any paper or device available to you. Pass your concerns to the Designated Person Safeguarding (DPS) or another member of the safeguarding team if the DPS is unavailable as quickly as possible and within 24 hours.
- Include name, date of birth and address of child/adult (as much information as you can obtain at this point).
- Use the 4Ws Who, What, Where, When.
- Include descriptions of any bruising or injuries noticed.
- Use their own words where possible.
- Sign and date all pieces of paper.
- Pass on any other notes.
- Keep secure and confidential until able to pass on the concern.
1. RECOGNISE….that abuse may be taking place.
- RESPOND…to the concern. Do not delay or leave it to someone else to act.
Ways to contact:
Get in touch with the safeguarding team on their designated address: safe@stroudbaptist.co.uk
Phone/text the DPS or other members of the safeguarding team.
Put a concern in writing.
Remember do not speak to anyone else about it.
Safeguarding Trustee
Name Mike Taylor Phone Number 07494904994
Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
Name Janet Ryan Phone Number 07419749005
Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS)
Name David Jewitt Phone Number 07908417368
3. RECORD… you may be asked to put something in writing or you can use this way of reporting as an initial contact to the safeguarding team.
This can be either handwritten or typed. If you have one, use a standard incident report form (available from the church website or from the safeguarding team), if not write your notes on any paper or device available to you. Pass your concerns to the Designated Person Safeguarding (DPS) or another member of the safeguarding team if the DPS is unavailable as quickly as possible and within 24 hours.
- Include name, date of birth and address of child/adult (as much information as you can obtain at this point).
- Use the 4Ws Who, What, Where, When.
- Include descriptions of any bruising or injuries noticed.
- Use their own words where possible.
- Sign and date all pieces of paper.
- Pass on any other notes.
- Keep secure and confidential until able to pass on the concern.
1. RECOGNISE….that abuse may be taking place.
- RESPOND…to the concern. Do not delay or leave it to someone else to act.
Ways to contact:
Get in touch with the safeguarding team on their designated address: safe@stroudbaptist.co.uk
Phone/text the DPS or other members of the safeguarding team.
Put a concern in writing.
Remember do not speak to anyone else about it.
Safeguarding Trustee
Name Mike Taylor Phone Number 07494904994
Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
Name Janet Ryan Phone Number 07419749005
Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS)
Name David Jewitt Phone Number 07908417368
3. RECORD… you may be asked to put something in writing or you can use this way of reporting as an initial contact to the safeguarding team.
This can be either handwritten or typed. If you have one, use a standard incident report form (available from the church website or from the safeguarding team), if not write your notes on any paper or device available to you. Pass your concerns to the Designated Person Safeguarding (DPS) or another member of the safeguarding team if the DPS is unavailable as quickly as possible and within 24 hours.
- Include name, date of birth and address of child/adult (as much information as you can obtain at this point).
- Use the 4Ws Who, What, Where, When.
- Include descriptions of any bruising or injuries noticed.
- Use their own words where possible.
- Sign and date all pieces of paper.
- Pass on any other notes.
- Keep secure and confidential until able to pass on the concern.
1. RECOGNISE….that abuse may be taking place.
- RESPOND…to the concern. Do not delay or leave it to someone else to act.
Ways to contact:
Get in touch with the safeguarding team on their designated address: safe@stroudbaptist.co.uk
Phone/text the DPS or other members of the safeguarding team.
Put a concern in writing.
Remember do not speak to anyone else about it.
Safeguarding Trustee
Name Mike Taylor Phone Number 07494904994
Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
Name Janet Ryan Phone Number 07419749005
Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS)
Name David Jewitt Phone Number 07908417368
3. RECORD… you may be asked to put something in writing or you can use this way of reporting as an initial contact to the safeguarding team.
This can be either handwritten or typed. If you have one, use a standard incident report form (available from the church website or from the safeguarding team), if not write your notes on any paper or device available to you. Pass your concerns to the Designated Person Safeguarding (DPS) or another member of the safeguarding team if the DPS is unavailable as quickly as possible and within 24 hours.
- Include name, date of birth and address of child/adult (as much information as you can obtain at this point).
- Use the 4Ws Who, What, Where, When.
- Include descriptions of any bruising or injuries noticed.
- Use their own words where possible.
- Sign and date all pieces of paper.
- Pass on any other notes.
- Keep secure and confidential until able to pass on the concern.
| DO Listen to and acknowledge what is being said. Use TED questions: Explain…to me about Describe…to me Try to be reassuring & remain calm. Explain clearly what you will do and what will happen next. Listen, observe and pass it on. Follow your church procedures. Take action – don’t ignore the situation. Tell them that: They were right to tell you; You are taking what they have said seriously. Thank and reassure them. | DON’T Promise confidentiality. Show shock, alarm, disbelief or disapproval. Minimise what is being said. Ask probing or leading questions or push for more information. Offer false reassurance. Delay in contacting the DPS. Contact the abuser. Investigate further. Share information with anyone other than the DPS or other members of the safeguarding team if the DPS is unavailable. Pass on information to those who don’t need to know, not even for prayer ministry. |
4. REPORT…to the DPS (or other members of the safeguarding team if unavailable).
If you think someone is in imminent danger of harm, report to the Police on 999
- Any safeguarding concerns around a church worker (paid or voluntary) should be reported to the DPS or any of the safeguarding team if the DPS is unavailable. Whilst investigations are underway, the worker will be closely supervised without raising suspicion.
- Any safeguarding concerns involving the Designated Person Safeguarding (DPS), Deputy Designated Person Safeguarding (DDPS), Safeguarding Trustee or Deacons/Trustees should be raised with the Minister. Do not tell them a concern has been raised.
- When a concern is expressed about a Minister, it should be reported to the Regional Safeguarding Lead Kath Needham Partnership Webnet Bristol 07389728669 safeguarding@webnetwork.org.uk in addition to the church’s usual procedure. Do not tell the Minister that a concern has been raised.
Pastoral Support will be offered to all affected by any safeguarding concerns. It may be necessary to appoint other people outside of the church to support individuals.
Where a statutory investigation is underway, this support will be provided with the knowledge of the statutory authority involved.