Safeguarding

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the term that describes the function of protecting adults and children from abuse or neglect and also includes measures to prevent vulnerable people from coming to harm in the first place.

Safeguarding is an essential part of any responsible organisation’s governance and practice. As churches, seeking to reflect the character and commands of Jesus, we want to do this to the best of our ability and operate in an exemplary manner within our communities.

Safeguarding Policy

It is the policy of the Baptist Union of Wales to safeguard the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults by protecting them from neglect, physical, sexual and emotional harm.

As churches, we are fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of our members and those entrusted to our care.  Members of the church, paid staff and volunteers will at all times conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the Christian church. They will show respect for and understanding of human rights, promoting an ethos of listening and ensuring the safety of all especially children and vulnerable adults.

The church will care for children and young people, and vulnerable adults and safeguard them by following good practices in relation to the following:

• Responding appropriately to concerns and allegations
• Safer Recruitment of workers and volunteers
• Promoting good working practices
• Training and supporting our workers in their role and in the protection of children and vulnerable people

The Baptist Union of Wales works closely with the Interdenominational Safeguarding Panel on all safeguarding matters. The panel safeguarding officer is our lead safeguarding officer and should be contacted directly with safeguarding matters and concerns.

Training

Safeguarding training is essential for everyone who works directly with children, youth and vulnerable adults and also those who are responsible for the work e.g. trustees and elders. The Interdenominational Safeguarding Panel facilitates safeguarding training for the Baptist Union of  Wales. The training is based on our safeguarding policies and aims to help workers and volunteers understand these guidelines and know what to do if they are concerned about an individual or situation.

The Panel offers three types of safeguarding training:

1. Level 1 Sessions are suitable for volunteers (2 hours)
2. Level 2 Sessions are for ministers, leaders and staff (6 hours)
3. Local Church Safeguarding Coordinator Training for those responsible for safeguarding matters in the local church.

For training sessions currently being offered (free of charge),
you can visit: TicketSource

Visit Training (panel.cymru) for more information. You can also contact the Panel Office if you would like to find out more or arrange a session.

How to respond if you have a safeguarding concern

You can also contact the Panel for help or advice about safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults by telephoning 01745817584 or email post@panel.cymru
For more sources of support and advice please visit panel.cymru/en/advice-and-support or panel.cymru/en/emergency-contact-numbers

Safer Recruitment and DBS Checks (DBS)

The Interdenominational Safeguarding Panel is responsible for processing DBS checks for the Baptist Union of Wales ministers, employees and volunteers. You can contact sian@panel.cymru  01745 817584 for information and advice about the DBS process.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is just one part of the Safer Recruitment process. See section 2  of The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Handbook for more details.

How to apply for a DBS Check:

Route 1. PAPER DBS APPLICATION FORM:  contact the panel office  to request paper DBS application form(s). They will be sent to your postal address or to your church safeguarding coordinator or secretary.

Route 2. ONLINE DBS APPLICATION FORM: complete JOTFORM FORM 1  to start the process. This form gives the information to ensure that your role is eligible for a DBS and what level of check you will need. You will then receive a link and password from employmentcheck.org.uk to complete your online DBS application form. Please complete this step promptly. You will receive an email reminder every 5 days until the process is complete.

FACE TO FACE ID CHECKS are a required part of every DBS check including online applications. Many ministers and staff can carry out this role – so ask in your local church first.

You will receive a paper DBS CERTIFICATE directly from the DBS at the end of both routes. Those following the paper route will need to post the certificate to the Panel office.

You should renew your DBS check every 4 years.

For more information please visit: DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) (panel.cymru)

Our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Handbook forms the safeguarding policy and procedures for the Baptist Union of Wales. It includes good practice guidelines on working with children and vulnerable adults and outlines what to do if you have a concern about an individual or situation.

To view or download a copy of the complete Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Handbook 2022 (including updated sections 1 and 2 and new appendices) please click the picture or this link or go directly to the individual sections using the links below.

To download a policy statement that you can use for your church, follow this link.

The handbook takes you step by step through:

Section 1: including Our statement of Intent  and the Individual church policy statement 

Section 2: Safer recruitment and selection procedures (including DBS check information and flowcharts)

Section 3: Working with Children and Young People and how to respond to concerns 

Section 4: Working with Vulnerable Adults and how to respond to concerns  

Section 5 Pastoral Care 

Section 6 : Appendices:  including new appendices 1,  2a, 7, 8, 9, 10 

Section 7 : There are forms  that will help you to put the policies into practice and a new GDPR info sheet  

The Interdenominational Safeguarding Panel

The Interdenominational Safeguarding Panel was established in 2001 and became a not for profit company limited by guarantee in 2009. The Panel supports churches from the Baptist Union of Wales in all aspects of safeguarding practice in their work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. This includes policy work, training, advice and support, case work and DBS checks.

The Panel is a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) registered body and is responsible for processing the DBS checks for the Baptist Union of Wales. These are processed through the office in Denbigh. Contact us for more information or to order forms.

Contact the Panel office or visit the website for more information on all aspects of safeguarding within the church and to arrange training sessions.

Interdenominational Safeguarding Panel
Unit 1 Vale Parc, Colomendy Industrial Estate
Denbigh LL16 5TA
Tel: 01745 817584

post@panel.cymru