Policies:

Gateway Baptist Church Safeguarding Policy

Our safeguarding responsibilities

Gateway Baptist 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. 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
  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 safekeeping of children and adults at
  risk.
• Respecting children and adults at risk
  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.
• Providing a safe environment and adopting safe working practices for all children, young
  people 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 will seek to ensure that the behaviour of any individuals who may pose a risk to
  children, young people and adults at risk in the community of the church is managed appropriately.
• 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, young people and adults at risk in the
  community of the church is managed appropriately.

Safeguarding contacts within our church:

The church has appointed the following as Gateway Baptist safeguarding team:

Linda Mayne – Designated Person for Safegauarding (DPS) – 07468 562562

Pauline Draper – Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding – 01444 247885

Nicola Cooper – Safeguarding Trustee

Steve Hobbis – our church minister is also an important part of the safeguarding team.

Email for the team:  safeguarding@gatewaybaptist.org.uk

Putting our policy into practice:

• A copy of the safeguarding policy statement will be displayed permanently on the church notice
  board and church office and is available on our church website.
• A copy of the Safeguarding Policy and associated procedures will be given to each Children’s
  Ministry volunteer.
• A full copy of the policy and procedures will be made available on request to any member of, 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 presented annually at a Church Members’ Meeting, together with a
  report on the outcome of the annual safeguarding review.