Walsworth Road Baptist Church, Hitchin

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Introduction

 

The purpose of the Child Protection Policy, procedures and guidance is simply to provide protection for the children and young people who attend Walsworth Road Baptist Church and guidance for those who work or have any contact with children in the church. Children and young people are those under the age of eighteen.

 

A policy is necessary because children are sometimes harmed by people who care for them. The harm can be intentional or unintentional. It can be malicious or caused by thoughtlessness or inadequacy. We need to be open and honest about the reality of the world in which our children are growing up.

 

A policy is necessary because;

  • good practice will meet the needs of children at each stage of their development.
  • some of the children attending church groups may be suffering harm elsewhere
  • people looking for opportunities to harm children may try to establish relationships with children through church communities
  • thoughtless or careless attitudes can harm children
  • persons working with children and young people  may place themselves in situations where they are open to accusations or suspicion

And there may be adult survivors of child abuse within the congregation who need to know the church is doing all it can to prevent others from suffering and to help those who have been abused.

 

The challenge for the church is to seek to develop a community of care where children are safe, survivors of abuse find healing, those who are accused find support and those who have abused discover the opportunity for redemption. The church will work to develop a community that is truly inclusive.

Reference John 13:35:

‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

 

Child protection is about the mission of the church in the context of a world that is sometimes loveless and harmful.

 

The church is committed to the protection of children and young people from physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect.

For the definitions of physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect please refer to the Baptist Union Booklet, Safe To Grow.

 

The Policy Statement and Guidelines have been produced with reference to the Baptist Union of Great Britain booklet Safe to Grow.

 


Child Protection Policy

WRBC recognises and welcomes the contribution children and young people make to the life of our church. Children are an important part of the family of God. All children and young people, whatever their gender, racial background, culture or ability, should have the opportunity to grow up safe from harm. They should be treated with respect and kept safe. They should be nurtured within our church community.

 

The church is committed to providing a safe environment for children, young people and those who work with them.

 

As members of this church we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all, especially children and young people.

 

We accept our individual responsibility to prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children and young people and to report any abuse discovered or suspected.

 

We recognise that our work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church .

 

We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children and young people.

 

We are committed to the provision of support, resources, training and supervision for those who work with children and young people.

 

The church will follow, as appropriate, the guidelines and procedures published by the Baptist Union of Great Britain in the booklet Safe To Grow.

 

Each person working with children and young people must undertake to observe the church’s agreed procedures and good practice guidelines.

 

The church requires all organisations which use its premises and who are dealing with children and young people, to confirm that they accept the WRBC Child Protection Policy and/or have a child protection policy based on the recommendations in the Home Office Code of Practice Safe from Harm.

 

As part of WRBC’s commitment to children and young people the church has appointed a Child Protection Team. A nominated person will co-ordinate the work of the WRBC Safe To Grow, Child Protection, Team.   The names, addresses and phone numbers of the co-ordinator and other Safe To Grow Team members will be publicly displayed together with copies of this policy.

 

This statement was agreed at a Church meeting held on 28 th March 2007 .

 

Issued on behalf of the Church by: Rev A J Henton Pusey