Safeguarding

Promoting a Safer Church

SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT

The vision statement of Shrewsbury Baptist Church is:

We are a people on a mission sent to partner God in His mission to the world.

His amazing love for us has given us a deepening compassion for the people in our

community, a heart for those most in need.

We want to see people come to know Jesus as their Saviour and King.

We humbly embrace all who engage with us in this mission, and we rejoice in the diversity of

those whom God is adding to His church.

We are committed to following Jesus. We want to be like Him so that His love will flow

through us in everything we do.

We are disciples of Jesus, learning together, praying together, enjoying using our gifts in His

service, all for His Kingdom and His glory.

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.

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:

JEANNIE COOPER, Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS)

They 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: jeannie@shrewsburybaptistchurch.org.uk

NICKY ROBINSON, Safeguarding Trustee

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.

Email: nicky.robinson@shrewsburybaptistchurch.org.uk

REV NICK PRICE, Church Minister

Our 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.

Phone number: 07483 361791 Email: nick.price@shrewsburybaptistchurch.org.uk

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.

Putting our policy into practice

A copy of the safeguarding policy statement will be displayed permanently on the

church noticeboard and church office and is available on our church website.

Each worker with children and/or adults at risk will be given either an electronic or physical 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 church AGM, together with a report on the outcome of the annual safeguarding review.

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.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

New to Church? A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at Crowmoor (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am. When you arrive, you will be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team, who will introduce themselves to you.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits from 10am, before the service begins. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the rear of the main auditorium and in our annex building.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10:30 am. We share items of news and other notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the Church. We will have a time of sung worship, led by our worship group. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. We usually have an all age talk before the children go out to their groups, when there is a time of prayer and intercession, followed by a Bible based sermon that we can apply to our everyday lives. There will be prayer during the service and on the 1st Sunday in the month we share communion together. The service finishes with some more worship songs. There is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

What about my children

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, songs and notices. We really value worshipping God all together as a family and there is often an all-age talk before the children leave for their groups. At some point in the service it will be announced that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. You will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy.

The children's group activities vary depending on their age. There is a creche and junior church for primary school aged children, with a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, craft, and games. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.