Safeguarding
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Evesham Baptist Church’s policy for children, young people and adults with care and support needs.
At Evesham Baptist Church, we seek to follow the lifestyle and teaching of Jesus Christ, communicating and exemplifying welcome to all groups of people within the church and into the community valuing and respecting differences and enabling each person to grow in their faith within a safe, secure, inclusive, and loving environment.
This is what the Lord asks of you, only this; that you act justly, that you love tenderly, that you walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
Definition of terms
The term ‘child/young person’ refers to anyone under the age of 18 years.
There is no standard single definition for an adult at risk, so for our policy we are using the following simple definition taken from Thirtyone:Eight (formerly CCPAS – Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service):
“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 or find themselves to be particularly vulnerable to the risk of significant harm, abuse, bullying, harassment, mistreatment or exploitation”.
Our safeguarding responsibilities
The church seeks to welcome into our midst children/young people and adults at risk into the life of our community and recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk, regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability. Our premises are also available to organisations working with children/young people and adults at risk.
As members of this church we commit ourselves to the nurture, 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/young people and adults at risk, and the duty of each church member to respond to concerns about the well-being of children/young people 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/young people 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/young people and adults at risk.
• Respecting children/young people and adults at risk
The church will adopt a code of behaviour for all who are appointed to work with children/young people and adults at risk so that all children/young people and adults are shown the respect and dignity that is due to them.
• Safer working practices
The church is committed to providing an environment that is as safe as possible for children/young people 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 and will strive to develop the understanding, tolerance and appreciation of all within the church. It 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 minimised and managed appropriately.
Evesham Baptist Church’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures are based on the Policy Document produced for use in Baptist churches in England and Wales. This Policy Document in turn is written to allow for the wide range of churches and activities and while some aspects may not immediately appear to be relevant to this church, the principles that the policy and procedures are based on apply fully.
The BU Safeguarding Policy Document can be found at: Safeguarding Policy & Procedures September 2022
Safeguarding contact points within our church
The church has appointed the following individuals to form part of the church safeguarding team:
Heather Fernie – Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
Heather will advise the church on any matters related to the Safeguarding of children/young people and adults at risk and take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
Email: DPS@eveshambaptistchurch.org
Graham Wells – Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS)
Graham will assist the Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS) in helping the church on any matters related to the Safeguarding of children/young people and adults at risk and take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected. In the event of the DPS not being available, the Deputy DPS will act in his/her place.
Email: DPS@eveshambaptistchurch.org
Andy Foster – Safeguarding Trustee
Andy will raise the profile of Safeguarding within the church and oversee and monitor the implementation of the Safeguarding policy and procedures on behalf of the church trustees.
Email: SGTrustee@eveshambaptistchurch.org
Kay Wall, left, (Advocate for children and young people) and Janis McCance, right, (Advocate for adults at risk)
Advocates speak on behalf of the children, young people and adults at risk and are their voice in our church. They will speak for these people, to find ways of enabling them to contribute to the life of the Church and to help the people of God hear God through them.
Email: advocates@eveshambaptistchurch.org
Edward Pillar – Minister
Email: minister@eveshambaptistchurch.org
Putting our policy into practice
- A copy of the Safeguarding policy statement will be displayed permanently on the church noticeboard and held in the church office and is available on our church website.
- Each worker with children/young people and/or adults at risk will be given a full copy of the Safeguarding policy and procedures – available digitally – and will be asked to sign to confirm that they will follow them. (See Appendix 7)
- A full copy of the policy and procedures – again, available digitally – 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 Deacons will ensure that Safeguarding is included in the agenda of the AGM, that the policy statement will be read annually and affirmed at the church AGM. There will also be a report on the outcome of the annual Safeguarding review carried out by the Deacon with responsibility for Safeguarding, in consultation with the DPS (Designated Person for Safeguarding) and his/her deputy.
- The Deacons will ensure that the church has a DPS and a deputy. In the event of neither being available, the Minister will act in his/her place.
- The Deputy DPS and the Minister make suitable investigations. Where appropriate, they will inform the relevant authorities (this could be Social Services, local BU Safeguarding link). In the case where anyone is in danger of immediate harm, then a report should be made to the police by calling 999.
- In the case of an alleged offence, it is very important that the detailed procedures and responsibilities for this are carefully followed – these are listed in the Sample Church Policy, Procedures and Guidelines document – (Section 2.1 and Appendix 2).
- If the alleged offence involves someone from the Church, that person shall immediately be suspended from the work by the Minister or DPS whilst the investigation takes place.
- Where this is possible, the Deacons will appoint persons in the church as Advocates for Children and Young People and Advocates for Adults at risk.
- A ‘Who’s who?’ poster showing those in the church with responsibilities for Safeguarding will be displayed prominently, together with contact details and a photograph.
- The Deacon with responsibility for Safeguarding will monitor the training needs of those involved in this work, and keep them informed of relevant training opportunities – this will usually be through the Heart of England Baptist Association (HEBA) who run courses at Level 2 and 3 BUGB Excellence in Safeguarding. This should be done at least once every four years.
- All those working with young people should be referred to a copy of the BU Gateway to Level 2: Excellence in Safeguarding, which is a good useful introduction to Safeguarding in a church context and on the BU website, and work through the document. This document however is not intended to be a replacement for Safeguarding training.
- The normal practice will be to allow a period of twelve months from the time anyone becomes associated with the church in any way and them becoming involved in the teaching, leading or mentoring of children/young people or adults at risk.
Anyone inside or outside the worshipping fellowship wishing to volunteer as an adult helper in a
non-teaching role will be given every encouragement provided they accept that the church is
founded on a Christian constitution and accept the authority of the trustees and the delegated
leader of the department they are working in.
Where it seems appropriate for someone to become involved prior to the 12-month period, the
permission of the Deacons is to be obtained in consultation with the DPS.
Particular care will be taken by the minister and Deacons to seek opportunity to meet and engage with any volunteers who are not regularly amongst the worshipping community both before and during their period of service - In the event of the Deacons giving permission, DBS clearance is to be obtained. If the person is involved prior to the receipt of DBS clearance, they are to sign a self-declaration form and they are not to be allowed to work unsupervised in any circumstance.
What to do if abuse is suspected or disclosed (Reproduced from BU Safeguarding policy)
Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child/young person or adult at risk. Somebody may
abuse or neglect a child/young person or adult by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children/young people and adults at risk may be abused in a range of settings, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. There are many ways in which people suffer abuse.
Everyone has their part to play in helping to safeguard children/young people and adults at risk within the life of the church:
- If the behaviour of a child/young person or adult at risk gives any cause for concern
- If an allegation is made in any context about a child/young person or adult at risk being harmed
- If the behaviour of any individual towards children/young people or adults at risk causes concern
If a child or young person tells you of an incidence of abuse – OR if you have concerns that there may be abuse even if it is not reported – then you have a duty to inform your Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS). Immediate action may be required, so you should not delay in doing this.
If an adult tells you of an incident and doesn’t want any action taken and you believe them to have the ability to make that judgement AND you don’t suspect others to be at risk, you can maintain their confidentiality. However, if the incident involves someone in the life of the Church, you do have to inform the Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS) as the Church has a responsibility to ensure others are not at risk.
What to do
- Listen to and acknowledge what is being said.
- Try to be reassuring and remain calm.
- Explain clearly what you will do and what will happen next.
- Try to give them a timescale for when and how you / the DPS will contact them again.
- Take action – don’t ignore the situation.
- Be supportive.
- Tell them that: They were right to tell you; You are taking what they have said seriously; It was not their fault; That you would like to pass this information on to the appropriate people, with their permission.
- Be open and honest.
- Give contact details for them to report any further details or ask any questions that may arise.
- Make brief notes immediately after leaving the individual
What NOT to do
- Do not promise confidentiality.
- Do not show shock, alarm, disbelief or disapproval.
- Do not minimise what is being said.
- Do not ask probing or leading questions, or push for more information.
- Do not offer false reassurance.
- Do not delay in contacting the DPS.
- Do not contact the alleged abuser.
- Do not investigate the incident any further.
- Never leave a child/young person or adult at risk waiting to hear from someone without any idea of when or where that may be.
- Do not pass on information to those who don’t need to know; not even for prayer ministry.
Appendix 1 – The Theology of Safeguarding
Each and every person is fearfully and wonderfully made, knitted together in their mother’s womb, and loved by God who knows everything about them (Psalm 139). All are precious and have worth to God. Therefore, the church should strive to be a place of welcome, inclusion and care for all – no matter their age, abilities, health or history.
Jesus tells us that we are each called to love others and to treat them with the respect, dignity and love that we would want to receive ourselves (Matthew 22: 39). Therefore the church should always aim to be a place of care, compassion and love – no matter how undignified someone may appear.
There are many examples of Jesus bringing healing and comfort to people in pain and discomfort, those isolated and alone. At the sight of people in distress he is filled with compassion (Mark 1:41). Therefore the church should strive to be a place of healing, comfort and hope – no matter what the cause of suffering and sorrow.
Jesus was not afraid of challenging injustice and inequality, nor of confronting ignorance and arrogance. He sought out and spent time with marginalised people and he spoke passionately for those who had no voice (Matthew 23). Therefore the church should strive to be a place of righteousness, advocacy and justice, speaking up for people who are oppressed and abused – no matter how costly that may be.
Safeguarding is the protection of adults and children/young people from harm, abuse or neglect. If we believe that all people are precious in the eyes of God, their creator; if we believe that as Christians we should follow the example of Jesus in his compassion and care for others; if we believe that the church should be a sanctuary of safety and peace; and if we believe that we as Christians should speak out against injustice, then Safeguarding should be an automatic part of our church communities – as we strive to protect all people from harm, abuse or neglect and to love, care and support all who have been affected by such damaging behaviour.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:35 (NIV)
Appendix 2 – Definitions of abuse in children and young people
Defining child abuse or abuse against an adult is a difficult and complex issue. A person may abuse by inflicting harm, or failing to prevent harm. Children/young people and adults in need of protection may be abused within a family, an institution or a community setting. Very often the abuser is known or in a trusted relationship with the child/young person or adult.
Physical abuse happens when a child/young person is deliberately hurt, causing injuries such as cuts, bruises and broken bones. It can involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, slapping or suffocating. It is also physical abuse when a parent or carer fabricates, or induces, the symptoms of an illness in a child/young person.
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities. It does not necessarily involve violence and the child/young person may or may not be aware of what is happening. Sexual abuse includes: grooming a child/young person with the intention of sexually abusing them; all forms of penetrative and non-penetrative sex; sexually exploiting a child/young person in return for gifts, money or affection; inappropriate touching; and making, looking at and distributing indecent images of a child or young person.
Child Sexual Exploitation is a type of sexual abuse in which children/young people are sexually exploited for money, power or status. They may be tricked into believing they are in a loving consensual relationship. They may be invited to parties, given drugs and alcohol or groomed online. They may be trafficked into or within the UK for sexual exploitation.
Neglect is persistently failing to meet a child’s or young person’s basic physical and/or psychological needs resulting in serious damage to their health and development. Neglect is difficult to define as it is hard to describe the absence of something such as love or attention (Daniel et al, 2011). In practical terms, neglect may involve a parent’s or carer’s failure to:
• provide adequate food, clothing and shelter
• protect the child/young person from physical and emotional harm or danger
• supervise the child/young person properly
• make sure the child/young person receives appropriate medical care or treatment.
• Neglect often happens at the same time as other types of abuse (Daniel et al, 2011; Rees et al, 2011).
Emotional abuse is persistent and, over time, it severely damages a child’s or young person’s emotional development. Active emotional abuse involves an adult deliberately trying to scare, humiliate or verbally abuse a child or young person. Passive emotional abuse happens when a parent or carer denies the child or young person the love and care they need in order to be healthy and happy. Such adults might be emotionally unavailable; fail to offer their child praise and encouragement; interact with them in an age-inappropriate way; be over-protective, limiting their opportunities to explore, learn and make friends; or expect the child to meet the parent’s own emotional needs.
Appendix 3 – Signs and symptoms of possible abuse in a child or young person
A child or young person who’s being abused may feel guilty, ashamed or confused. He or she may be afraid to tell anyone about the abuse, especially if the abuser is a parent, other relative or family friend. In fact, the child or young person may have an apparent fear of parents, adult caregivers or family friends. That’s why it’s vital to watch for red flags, such as:
• Withdrawal from friends or usual activities
• Changes in behaviour — such as aggression, anger, hostility or hyperactivity — or changes in school
performance
• Depression, anxiety or unusual fears or a sudden loss of self-confidence
• An apparent lack of supervision
• Frequent absences from school or reluctance to ride the school bus
• Reluctance to leave school activities, as if he or she doesn’t want to go home
• Attempts at running away
• Rebellious or defiant behaviour
• Attempts at suicide
Specific signs and symptoms depend on the type of abuse and can vary. Keep in mind that warning signs are just that — warning signs. The presence of warning signs doesn’t necessarily mean that a child or young person is being abused.
Physical signs and symptoms
• Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, fractures or burns
• Injuries that don’t match the given explanation
• Untreated medical or dental problems
Sexual abuse signs and symptoms
• Sexual behaviour or knowledge that’s inappropriate for the child’s or young person’s age
• Pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection
• Blood in the child’s or young person’s underwear
• Statements that he or she was sexually abused
• Trouble walking or sitting or complaints of genital pain
• Abuse of other children/young people sexually
Emotional abuse signs and symptoms
• Delayed or inappropriate emotional development
• Loss of self-confidence or self-esteem
• Social withdrawal or a loss of interest or enthusiasm
• Depression
• Headaches or stomach aches with no medical cause
• Avoidance of certain situations, such as refusing to go to school or ride the bus
• Desperately seeks affection
• A decrease in school performance or loss of interest in school
• Loss of previously acquired developmental skills
Neglect signs and symptoms
• Poor growth or weight gain
• Poor hygiene
• Lack of clothing or supplies to meet physical needs
• Taking food or money without permission
• Eating a lot in one sitting or hiding food for later
• Poor record of school attendance
• Lack of appropriate attention for medical, dental or psychological problems or lack of necessary follow-
up care
• Emotional swings that are inappropriate or out of context to the situation
• Indifference
Parental behaviour
Sometimes a parent’s demeanour or behaviour sends red flags about child abuse. Warning signs include a parent who:
• Shows little concern for the child or young person
• Appears unable to recognize physical or emotional distress in the child or young person
• Denies that any problems exist at home or school, or blames the child or young person for the problems
• Consistently blames, belittles or berates the child or young person and describes them with negative
terms, such as “worthless” or “evil”
• Expects the child or young person to provide him or her with attention and care and seems jealous of
other family members getting attention from the child or young person
• Uses harsh physical discipline or asks teachers to do so
• Demands an inappropriate level of physical or academic performance
• Severely limits the child’s or young person’s contact with others
• Offers conflicting or unconvincing explanations for a child’s or young person’s injuries or no explanation
at all.
Appendix 4 – Definitions of abuse in adults with care and support needs
Defining child abuse or abuse against an adult is a difficult and complex issue. A person may abuse by inflicting harm, or failing to prevent harm. Children/young people and adults in need of protection may be abused within a family, an institution or a community setting. Very often the abuser is known or in a trusted relationship with the child/young person or adult.
Physical abuse – including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.
Domestic violence – including psychological, physical, sexual, financial emotional abuse; so called ‘honour’ based violence.
Sexual abuse – including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.
Psychological abuse – including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.
Financial or material abuse – including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
Modern slavery – encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.
Discriminatory abuse – including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment; because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Organisational abuse – including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.
Neglect and acts of omission – including ignoring medical, emotional or physical needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
Self-neglect – this covers a wide range of behaviour, neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.
Appendix 5 – Signs and symptoms of possible abuse in an adult with care and support needs
An adult who’s being abused may feel guilty, ashamed or confused. He or she may be afraid to tell anyone about the abuse, especially if the abuser is a relative or family friend. In fact, the adult may have an apparent fear of adult caregivers or family friends.
Physical Abuse – signs and symptoms
• Multiple bruising
• Fractures
• Burns
• Bed sores
• Fear
• Depression
• Unexplained weight loss
• Assault (can be intentional or reckless)
Neglect – signs and symptoms
• Malnutrition
• Untreated medical problems
• Bed sores
• Confusion
• Over-sedation
• Deprivation of meals may constitute “wilful neglect”
Psychological and Emotional Abuse – signs and symptoms
• Fear
• Depression
• Confusion
• Loss of sleep
• Unexpected or unexplained change in behaviour
• Deprivation of liberty could be false imprisonment. Aggressive shouting causing fear of violence in a public place may be an offence against Public Order Act 1986, or harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse
• Loss of sleep
• Unexpected or unexplained change in behaviour
• Bruising
• Soreness around the genitals
• Torn, stained or bloody underwear
• A preoccupation with anything sexual
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Pregnancy
• Rape
• Indecent Assault
Signs and Symptoms of financial or material abuse
• Unexplained withdrawals from the bank
• Unusual activity in the bank accounts
• Unpaid bills
• Unexplained shortage of money
• Reluctance on the part of the person with responsibility for the funds to provide basic food and clothes, etc.
• Fraud
• Theft
Signs and Symptoms of Organisational Abuse
• Inflexible and non-negotiable systems and routines
• Lack of consideration of dietary requirements
• Name-calling; inappropriate ways of addressing people
• Lack of adequate physical care – an unkempt appearance
Appendix 6 – Report form for suspected abuse
Download an Incident Report Form (opens a PDF in a new window)
Appendix 7 – Declaration: “I have read…”
Download an Evesham Baptist Church Declaration (opens a PDF in a new window)
Appendix 8 – Leadership Commitment
Download the Evesham Baptist Church Leadership Commitment document (opens a PDF in a new window)