Safeguarding Policy

Commitment

1. Grace Baptist Church Portsmouth (GBCP) is committed to:
  • Welcoming children and adults at risk into the life of our community.
  • Running activities for children and adults at risk.

Our safeguarding responsibilities

2. The church recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children and adults at risk. 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. In pursuit of this, we commit ourselves to our Safeguarding Policy (separate document) and to the development of sound procedures to ensure we implement our policy well.

  • Prevention and reporting of abuse

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

  • Safer recruitment, support and supervision of workers

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

  • Respecting children and adults at risk

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

  • Safer working practices

    • 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.

  • A safer community

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

    Putting our Policy into Practice
    • A copy of this Safeguarding Statement will be displayed permanently on the church notice board and church office, and is available on our church website.
    • Each worker with children and / or 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 copy of the Safeguarding Policy will be made available on request to any member of the church, or other person associated with safeguarding.
    • The Policy will be monitored and reviewed annually, and any necessary revisions adopted into the policy and implemented through our procedures.
    • This Statement will be read annually at the church AGM, together with a report on the outcome of the annual safeguarding review.

    3. Elders and Co-ordinators will regularly review this statement.

    Safeguarding contact points within our church and other key contacts

    4. The church has appointed the following individuals to form part of the church safeguarding team:

    List of Contact Names and Addresses/Telephone Numbers

    Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS), Andrew Gribbin Via website
    Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS), (vacant) Via website
    Health & Safety Officer, (vacant) Via website
    Association of Grace Baptist Churches South East 020 7278 1225
    Grace Baptist Church Portsmouth graceportsmouth.com
    Christian Safeguarding Services 6-8 Marshalsea Road, London, SE1 1HL
    Our Safeguarding Support and Advice 0116 218 4420
    Childline 0800 1111
    Local Police Emergency and Non-emergency 999 | 101
    NSPCC 0808 800 5000
    Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for children 023 9268 8793
    Out of Hours 0300 555 1373
    Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) adults 02392 680810
    Out of Hours 0300 555 1373
    Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) (see details below)

    If you have concerns about someone who works with children such as a nursery worker, childminder or someone who works in a school – contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), Hayley Cowmeadow on 023 9288 2500 or email LADO@portsmouthcc.gov.uk and also the linked Quality and Sufficiency Officer on 023 9284 1974 or via eydelivery@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

    Definition of a child :England

    In England a child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. Child protection guidance points out that even if a child has reached 16 years of age and is: living independently, in further education, a member of the armed forces, in hospital; or in custody in the secure estate, they are still legally children and should be given the same protection and entitlements as any other child (Department for Education, 2018a).

    NSPCC
    OHCHR

    Definition of Adult

    An Adult is a person aged 18 years or over.

    Regulated Activity (Adults) gov.uk

    Definition of Adult at Risk

    The Care Act (2014) puts adult safeguarding on a legal footing. Under The Care Act, an adult at risk is someone over 18 years old who:
    • has care and support needs
    • is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
    • as a result of their care and support needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.
    The Care Act (2014)