safe to grow

children and young people in the Church

Today, we have to recognise the fact that some children and young people are abused physically, emotionally, sexually or by neglect. It is possible that children may come to church bearing the marks of abuse from home: While churches work safely and responsibly with millions of children and young people, just occasionally those who have been entrusted to work with them may cause them harm. In 1993 the Home Office produced a set of Recommendations and Guidelines to give all voluntary groups, including churches, a framework for action to prevent abuse taking place. Called "Safe from Harm", the Recommendations and Guidelines do not have the force of law, but recommend the steps that should be taken to safeguard children and young people. Churches hold a trusted position in the community and we are expected to follow the recommendations so that all who work with children and young people, as well as the church’s leaders, know how to protect them from abuse and to act responsibly if abuse is discovered or disclosed.

In 1994 the Children’s Working Group of the Baptist Union published ‘Safe to Grow’. This is a booklet written to give churches and their leaders the guidance they need to follow and the guidelines to keep the church’s children safe.


Policy Statement

The following statement was unanimously agreed at the church meeting held on the 25 January 2006. It will be reviewed annually at a church meeting where progress in carrying it out will be monitored.

1. As members of this Church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safe-keeping of all, particularly children and young people. We believe children to be a gift of God, made in His image, of equal value.

We believe they belong in our church. They have much to give as well as to receive. We will listen to them, respecting their wishes and feelings, as we nurture them in worship, learning and community life.

2. It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children and young people, and to report any abuse encountered in accordance with the Child Protection Procedures.

Our church will be a place of safety, of acceptance and of love for all children and young people.

3. We recognise that our work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church.

4. The Church is committed to providing support, resource and training to those who work with the children and young people, and providing supervision.

5. Each worker with children shall be given a copy of the Church’s agreed good practice guidelines and procedures and must undertake to observe them.

6. As part of our commitment to children and young people, the church has appointed Mr Tony Whittington as Child Protection Co-ordinator to oversee the effective implementation of the Policy Statement in the day to day life of the church. Also to provide advice and awareness training to members on issues of child protection.