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Safeguarding 

 

SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT FOR NORTH CHEAM BAPTIST CHURCH
 
Our vision
The vision statement of North Cheam Baptist Church is ‘Restored by Jesus to restore His purposes’.
 
As part of fulfilling this vision, the church:

  • welcomes children and adults at risk into the life of our community
  • runs activities for children and adults at risk
  • may make its premises available to organisations working with children and adults at risk

 
Our safeguarding responsibilities
The church recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children (0-18 years old), young people (11 plus years old) and adults at risk, regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability.
The church commits itself to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all associated with the church and will pray for them regularly. In pursuit of this, the church commits itself to this policy and to the development of sound procedures to ensure the policy is implemented 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 cooperate 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 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.
  • Safer working practices
    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 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 contact points within our church
The church has appointed the following individuals to form part of the church safeguarding team:
 
HELEN RABY, Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)
She will advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
Email address: safeguarding@ncbc.org.uk
 
STEPHEN DIXON, Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (DDPS)
He will assist the Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS) in helping the church on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected.
 
Tim Raby, Safeguarding Trustee
He 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 address: secretary@ncbc.org.uk
 
The church minister 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 the BUGB publications ‘Safe to Grow’ (2011) & ‘Safe to Belong’ (2015).
 
Putting our policy into practice

  • A copy of the safeguarding policy statement will be displayed permanently on the church noticeboard and is available on our church website.
  • Each worker with children and/or adults at risk will be given a full copy of the safeguarding policy and procedures and will be asked to sign to confirm that they have read them and will follow them.
  • 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 read annually at the Annual Church Meeting, together with a report on the outcome of the annual safeguarding review.

 

Glenys
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello 

Sunday mornings are our main gathering of the church. The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know beforehand what to expect.

Where and When

We meet at our church in Ridge Road (details here) for our Sunday service starting at 10:30am. For your first visit we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure that (if driving) you get a parking space in the car park right in front of our building, and then find somewhere to sit. When you arrive at the main doors you will be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access to the service. There is a sound loop for anyone who needs it – please let one of our stewards know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is a disabled toilet in the foyer.

Our Service

The service begins at 10:30am with a warm welcome from our minister or one of our leading team. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band, and often a children’s talk. This first part typically lasts approximately twenty minutes. Then, on most weeks (but see also next paragraph), children leave for their groups. The rest of the service includes a Bible-focused sermon, a little more singing, some prayer, and sometimes communion.

However, around once a month – usually on the first Sunday – the service is all-age and all the children stay together with the adults for the whole time. On these weeks we call this a ‘Community Celebration’ and all the service content is accessible for children.

Prayer is always available at the end of the service – just speak to the minister or one of our leading team if you would like this.


peopleAtChurch

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for children of all ages:

  • Crèche (0 months to 3 years). Children under 6 months are welcome but must be accompanied by their parent/grown-up at all times.
  • StoryKeepers (5-11 years) (3-4-year olds accepted when adult is in the church service)
  • Rock Solid (11-18 years)

Children start off in the main service. We really value worshipping God all together as a church family. Unless it’s our monthly all-age service, after around twenty minutes the person leading will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various activities. You may go with them to drop them off if they are unfamiliar with the groups or if you are unfamiliar with the building.

The children’s group activities vary depending on the age but there is a friendly welcome, Bible stories, prayer, games, videos, quizzes,  small groups, craft and hands-on activities. For StoryKeepers please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes, while the Rock Solid group find their way to the refreshments on their own!


Children

Other Ministries

We also run a specific ministry for women and girls (age 7+) called Flourish and a monthly afternoon tea called Rendezvous for those retired. We hold an occasional Men's Breakfast. Various small groups meet during the week for Bible study, prayer and friendship. See Activities menu for further information.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit
If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.
 
Name:
Telephone:
Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.