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Greenford Baptist Church Youth Work and Child Protection Policy

Statement of Intent

“Greenford Baptist Church is committed to the development and safekeeping of all who are involved with it. As such, we aim to prevent the abuse, in any form, of all the young people involved in the life and work of the church. We also aim to develop and train all those involved in the church’s work with young people. Furthermore, as a church, we accept that the responsibility for fulfilling this commitment and it’s subsequent aims rests with each and every member of the church”.

The Policy

This document should be read in conjunction with the “Statement of Intent – Youth Work & Child Protection”, and should form the basis of further documents outlining the church’s agreed procedures relating youth work and child protection.

Reporting instances of abuse

The church will seek to ensure that any instances of abuse, in any form, are reported to the Leadership Team, the Children’s/Youth Advocate and to any other relevant agencies.

Supervision and Training

The Leadership Team will seek to ensure that everyone working with young people will receive appropriate supervision and training.

The church will seek to ensure that resources are made available where the health and safety of the young people would be put at risk due to a shortfall in facilities or personnel.

Implications of Baptist Union’s publication “Safe to Grow”

The church will seek to ensure that the guidelines, recommendations and procedures laid down in the Baptist Union’s publication “Safe to Grow” will be adhered to wherever possible.
The Leadership Team will seek to ensure that each worker receives a copy of all the relevant literature related to youth work and child protection.
Each worker will seek to ensure that they familiarise themselves with the relevant literature related to youth work and protection.
The Youth Advocate

a) The church will appoint at least one “Youth Advocate” (as described in “Safe to Grow”). This person will be confirmed in post at the church members’ meeting in November of each year.

b) The Leadership Team will seek to ensure that the role of Youth Advocate is explained…

(i) To the Youth Advocate at regular intervals
(ii) To the young people at regular intervals
(iii) To the church at the church members’ meeting in July of each year

c) The Leadership Team will seek to ensure that the Youth Advocate receives appropriate training and supervision.

d) The church will seek to ensure that resources are made available to the Youth Advocate to ensure that (s)he may fully facilitate their role.

e) The Leadership Team will seek to ensure that the name of the Youth Advocate and some appropriate contact information is available to the young people at every event involving young people. It should also be generally available at Greenford Baptist Church.

Equal opportunities and access to services

a) The church will seek to ensure that in the life of the church, and it’s work young people, no person is treated less favourably because of their race, ethnic/cultural origin, age, sex or physical status*.

*The Leadership Team reserve the right to refuse access to, or involvement in, the work with young people, in the event that a person has an illness that is deemed by the Leadership Team to put others at risk.
b) The church will seek to ensure that any occasion where (6a) is breached will be reported to the Leadership Team and to the Youth Advocate.

Review of the policy

The church will review this policy and its procedures every year at the church members’ meeting in November.
Any complaints in relation to the work of the church with young people should be presented to both the Leadership Team and the church’s appointed Youth Advocates. These can be contacted via the addresses below.

This policy is agreed by the church at the member’s meeting on 27th November 1996.