‘Safeguarding’ is the practice and procedures we undertake in our church communities with the aim of providing safe environments for all, including ministers, other paid workers and volunteers, as well as for the protection of adults, young people and children from harm, abuse or neglect.
Every church should adopt a safeguarding policy and have in place up-to-date procedures enabling ‘safeguarding’ to be a priority in their church context.
HEBA works with Baptists Together in providing information and training so that Baptist churches can maintain safe environments for all.
You can read the HEBA Trustees' Safeguarding Policy here. The HEBA Trustee for Safeguarding is Revd Duncan MacLean.
HEBA has trained several members of our churches to deliver the Baptists Together Safeguarding Training Excellence in Safeguarding at Levels 2 and 3. More information on training is available for download.
A comprehensive collection of forms, model procedures, policies and service ideas are available on the Baptists Together website.
EXTRA SUPPORT FOR DPSs
We recognise that being a DPS is not only an important and responsible role, but often one that is undertaken by volunteers with limited experience of Safeguarding. With this in mind we have produced a DPS Welcome Pack that was put together to give you an immediate picture of what the main aspects of the role are. It is useful for both experienced DPSs and new ones alike. Email Keith Baldwin, Safeguarding Officer, at keith@baptist-heartofengland.org for more details or to request a copy of the document.
Keith is also running monthly DPS Surgeries where you can seek extra support on any aspects of your role as well as getting an insight into issues that are currently being discussed or addressed.
The current sessions for September are as follows;
SEPTEMBER
Saturday 28th at 12:00pm
OCTOBER
Tuesday 1st at 1.30pm
Tuesday 15th at 6.00pm
Saturday 26th at 4.00pm
These sessions will run for one hour and will be delivered via TEAMS. If you make a request to attend one of the above sessions Keith will send you a link. Although the sessions last an hour you are not expected to stay for the whole time in fact you can drop in and out as your time constraints allow. Please note it will not be a vehicle to discuss specific cases.
REQUIREMENTS FOR HOSTING A SAFEGUARDING EVENT
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That you can accommodate 20 - 30 participants with café style seating (i.e. tables that can accommodate 5-6 people)
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You have PowerPoint projection facilities for the trainer (this includes the ability to play audio from the Powerpoint presentation).
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You have facilities for the speaker to be amplified if necessary.
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Parking facilities (desirable).
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Wheelchair / disability access.
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You will have a suitable room set up and ready for use.
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Being able to offer refreshments on arrival and during a break (Usually tea/coffee and biscuits.)
Please contact Keith Baldwin if there are any issues with the above that you need to discuss - 07903 045670 / keith@baptist-heartofengland.org
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING UPDATE
If you are in need of Safeguarding Training, whether at Level 2 or Level 3 please check with your Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS) as to whether your own church is considering hosting an event.
Level 2 Training Events
(A greyed out Event indicates there are very few spaces left whilst those in RED are now full, please contact KEITH BALDWIN 07903 045670 or keith@baptist-heartofengland.org to check availability or for any other training queries.)
Sat,05 Oct at 9:30am Tamworth Baptist Church, Derwent, Belgrave, Tamworth B77 2LD
Sat,19 Oct at 9:30am King’s Community Church, Tame Road, Brandhall, B68 0JP
Sat,19 Oct at 9:30am Limbrick Wood Baptist Church, Faseman Ave, Tile Hill North, Coventry CV4 9RD
Sat,02 Nov at 1:30pm Madeley Baptist Church, 11 High St, Telford TF7 5AQ
Level 3 Training Events
Sat,05 Oct at 1:30pm Tamworth Baptist Church, Derwent, Belgrave, Tamworth B77 2LD
Sat,12 Oct at 9:30am Bedworth Baptist Church, 28 Coventry Rd, Bedworth CV12 8NN
Sat,19 Oct at 1:30pm King’s Community Church, Tame Road, Brandhall, B68 0JP
Sat,19 Oct at 1:30pm Limbrick Wood Baptist Church, Faseman Ave, Tile Hill North, Coventry CV4 9RD
Sat,26 Oct at 9:30am Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church, 300 Soho Rd, Handsworth, Birmingham B21 9NA
Sat,16 Nov at 1:30pm Madeley Baptist Church, 11 High St, Telford TF7 5AQ
BOTH COURSES ARE OF 3 HOUR DURATION
HOW TO APPLY FOR A SAFEGUARDING COURSE
If you wish to apply for a place on one of the listed Events please email keith@baptist-heartofengland.org with the following information:
Name: (how you represent your name will be how it appears on the Certificate)
Email address:
Home church: (your home church)
Church role: (ie Minister, Children's worker, Volunteer etc)
Course: (whether you require LEVEL 2 or LEVEL 3 or both)
Event: (the date and venue of the Course you wish to attend)
Please state if you have any special requirements in order for me to ensure you can access the material ie visual impairment.
NB: If you are applying for LEVEL 3 only, we will check that you have recently completed LEVEL 2 as this is a pre-requisite to taking the advanced training.
Fees
The cost for each individual participant from a church which gives regularly to Baptist Home Mission will be £15.00. (£25.00 for others). There is no charge for accredited, nationally and regionally recognised pastors/ministers.
Training for Ministers
All accredited, nationally and regionally recognised pastors/ministers are required to undertake the safeguarding training required by the National Ministerial Recognition Committee (MRC) to maintain their accreditation/recognition. A safeguarding training clause should be included in the Terms of Settlement for all of the above ministries.
The current training requirements are to undertake Excellence in Safeguarding Training through BUGB at level 2 and 3 every 4 years, and every year to undertake an online BUGB training session on a particular aspect of safeguarding.
The responsibility to ensure that non-accredited and non-recognised ministers undertake their safeguarding training remains with the church trustees. If you have any queries about this, please contact your Regional Minister.
Participants should be familiar with the safeguarding policy statement and procedures from their own Church.
Please email keith@baptist-heartofengland.org if you have any questions concerning Safeguarding Training.