Safeguarding Policy
Safeguarding Policy Statement for Grimsby Baptist Church
The vision of Grimsby Baptist Church is ‘To know Jesus and to make Him known’
In fulfilling this vision the church:
• Has a programme of activities with children
• Welcomes children and adults at risk into the life of our community
• Makes our premises available to organisations working with children
Definition of Terms
For the purpose of this policy, the term child refers to anyone under the age of 18 years. There is no
standard single definition for an adult at risk. For our policy we are using the following simple definition
taken from Thirtyone:eight:
‘Any adult aged 18 or over who due to disability, mental function, age, illness or traumatic circumstances
may not be able to take care or protect themselves against the risk of significant harm, abuse, bullying,
harassment, mistreatment or exploitation’.
Our Safeguarding Responsibilities
The church recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children and adults at risk, regardless of
gender, ethnicity or ability.
As members of this church we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safeguarding of all
associated with the church and will pray for them regularly. In pursuit of this we commit ourselves to this
policy and to the development of sound procedures to ensure we implement our policy well.
Prevention and reporting of abuse and responding to concern
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 well-being 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.
Safe 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 safeguarding of children and adults at risk.
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 adults at risk
so that all children and adults are shown the respect that is due to them.
Safe practice and safe premises
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 safe community
The church is committed to the prevention of bullying. The church will seek to ensure that the behaviour of
any who may pose a risk to children and adults at risk in the community of the church is managed
appropriately.
Responsible people
The church has appointed Jeremy Bass as the Safeguarding Trustee to oversee and monitor
implementation of the policy and procedures on behalf of the church’s charity trustees.
The church has also appointed Andy Willett as the Designated Person for Safeguarding, and Catriona
Griffiths as deputy, to:
• advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk.
• take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
Our church minister, Jason Griffiths, is also an important part of the Church Safeguarding Team. Where
possible, the Church Safeguarding Team will work together if and when issues arise. However, each
person has a responsibility to report allegations of abuse as soon as they are raised.
(Further definitions of these roles can be found in Appendix 7 – Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities)