Safeguarding

Our vision 

Bishop's Stortford Baptist Church aims to be a community of disciples of Jesus Christ that live out what the Bible teaches us so that God’s plan to save the world may be accomplished. 

In fulfilling this vision, we: 

  • Welcome children and adults at risk into the life of our community 

  • Run activities for children and adults at risk 

  • Make our premises available to organisations working with children and adults at risk 

Our safeguarding responsibilities 

The church recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk, regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability.  

The church recognises its legal duty to safeguard children, young people, and adults at risk, and to comply withstatutory requirements relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). 

The church will make a referral to the DBS where it believes that a person has caused harm, or poses a risk of harm, and has been removed from regulated activity, in accordance with UK legislation.

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. 

  • 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: 

Mandy Talbot - Designated Person for Safeguarding  
She will advise the church on any matters related to the safeguarding and take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected. 

Phone number 07717 841236
Email address   safeguarding@stortfordbaptist.org 

Deputy Designated Person For Safeguarding – to be appointed. 
They 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. 

Kristian Dimond 
He will assist the DPS in Safeguarding Matters and offer Pastoral support. 

Phone number   01279 834253
Email address   pastor@stortfordbaptist.org 

Safeguarding Trustee – to be appointed (currently Mandy Talbot is carrying out this role) 
They 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. 

Putting our policy into practice

  • A copy of the safeguarding policy statement will be prominently displayed 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 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 September Church Meeting, together with a report on the outcome of the annual safeguarding review.

Download Full Safeguarding Policy (PDF)