Please click here to see a copy of the “Safe in our Care” guidelines referenced in the following policies.
Child Protection Policy
Keady Baptist Church is passionate about teaching children the good news of salvation contained in God’s Word, the Bible, and supporting them to live a life of God honouring discipleship. Along with this we seek to promote the general welfare, health and full development of every child we come in contact with.
We are committed to seeing this happen within a safe environment by safeguarding the welfare of children by protecting them from physical, sexual, emotional harm and neglect.
Adults selected to work within youth ministries should be secure in the knowledge that they have the full support of the Office Bearers.
1. Leadership
The Office Bearers believe that the selection procedures outlined in the “Safe in our Care” guidelines greatly assist the assessment of a person’s suitability to work with children, young people and adults at risk. As a result of implementing such procedures, leaders and helpers within the church will be more assured of their position and of the confidence placed in them by the Office Bearers. The procedures outlined in the “Safe in our Care” Guidelines must be followed for the appointment of leaders/helpers who will be 18 years or over.
2. Training
Leaders and helpers who work with children and young people should attend a Child Protection refreshers course on a regular basis.
3. Reporting of Concerns
The leaders in each of our organisations will be conversant with the reporting procedure where there is concern about the welfare of a child. Leaders must not hesitate to report a concern about a child if they are at any time concerned about their welfare.
4. Designated Person
The Office Bearers have appointed Christina Nesbitt as the Designated Person who will provide consultation, advice and support to organisations and to the Office Bearers on matters concerning the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The Office Bearers will keep organizational leaders updated with the name of the Designated Person. Any matter brought to the attention of the Designated Person will be treated in strict confidence. Information will be divulged only where there is a legitimate need to know.
5. Parental Consent Forms
Organisational leaders must ensure that they have home contact numbers, parental consent and medical information regarding the children in the organisation which they are working with. Special consent forms will be issued for any ‘off the premises’ activity and residential programmes.
6. Good standards of Practice.
Each organisation will be expected to comply with the good standards of practice outlined in the “Safe in our Care” Guidelines. This includes physical contact, recommended ratios, transport, residential programmes and outings, church sleepovers, photographs and working with children who have special needs.
7. Technology
Leaders should limit the direct Internet and mobile communication they have with individual children and young people in the organisation of which they are leaders. Leaders will operate under the standards outlined in the “Safe in our Care” guidelines in order to protect both young people and themselves.
8. Health and Safety
The Office Bearers expect organizations to adhere to the guidance on safety matters outlined in the “Safe in our Care” Guidelines. Leaders will be informed of fire and first aid procedures.
9. Implementation and Review
The Office Bearers are responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and will review it regularly with the leaders in charge of youth organisations.
Adults at Risk Policy
Keady Baptist Church acknowledges the duty we have to protect all who are members or participate in the life and work of our church community. Harm, abuse or exploitation can happen anywhere, even in churches. Safeguarding adults at risk, then, is an aspect of living out of the gospel imperative to love and care for one another.
We believe that all individuals, families and groups participating in the activities of Keady Baptist Church have a right to feel safe and secure and when systems fail we have a duty to act immediately. It is vital that we ensure that all of our members and visitors are protected from abuse, exploitation or neglect and the risk of harm. Safeguarding adults is complex and challenging and it is vital that we work in partnership with other agencies to protect all.
The allocation of duties for safeguarding adults at risk are set out in section 4 of the Safe in our Care guidelines.
The Office Bearers are responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and will review it regularly in consultation with the Designated Person.