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Safeguarding

South West Gospel Partnership (SWGP) is committed to the care and safety of all those we come into contact with.  Any allegation or concern regarding abuse must be treated seriously and we ask you to let us know at the earliest opportunity, either if the concern relates to you or another. A concern can arise when you observe or suspect abusive behaviour, when an allegation is made or disclosed, or where there are indicators (signs and symptoms) of suspected abuse on the victim.

If anyone is in immediate danger, then please telephone the police on 999. 

To raise a concern within SWGP, please contact Ian Lewis (SWGP Director) or Simon Dowland (Trustee Responsible for Safeguarding). Ian may be contacted in confidence at St Bartholemew’s Church Office, 1 King Edward Road, Bath, BA2 3PB, 01225 427428 or [email protected]. Simon may be contacted in confidence at Headley Park Church, St Peters Rise, Headley Park, Bristol, BS13 7LZ, 07845 025392 or [email protected].

If you would like to report a concern or seek advice outside of SWGP please contact an external agency such as independent safeguarding charity Christian Safeguarding Services  ([email protected] or 0116 218 4420).

The SWGP Safeguarding Policy (latest revision: Nov 2023) is available here.

 

The following statement was adopted by the SWGP Trustees at their meeting held on 8th July 2021. It is based, with permission, on text produced by the South Central Gospel Partnership. This statement was just an initial communication about our commitment to safeguarding, one step on a continual process of improving our attention to these vital matters.

 

SWGP STATEMENT ON THE SAFEGUARDING OF ADULTS

South West Gospel Partnership ‘SWGP’ (incorporating the Ministry Training Course)

This statement will be reviewed each year.

  1. We recognize that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.
  2. We commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults to whom SWGP ministers.
  3. We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being through any and all interactions SWGP may have with them.
  4. We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.
  5. We commit SWGP to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.
  6. It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of vulnerable people and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
  7. We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable.
  8. SWGP is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who may be vulnerable.
  9. We will seek out and adopt best practice guidelines.
  10. Each person who works on our behalf with vulnerable or potentially vulnerable people will agree to abide by this statement and the guidelines we establish.

We appoint Simon Dowland to represent the concerns and views of vulnerable people at our meetings and to outside bodies. 

 

The SWGP Trustees

 

Ian Lewis, Chair

Spencer Shaw

Mike Cain

Ad Taylor-Weekes

Tim Howlett

John Martin

Paul Mallard

Simon Dowland

 

Date: 8th July 2021