Policy Documents
Safeguarding Policy
Information about, and contact details for, the Designated Person (DP) for Safeguarding appointed by Stalham Baptist Church can be found here. The DP has a key role in helping the church to respond appropriately to any concerns that are raised about the safety or well-being of children, young people and vulnerable adults who are part of our church community.
If concerns are raised, the DP will work together with the Safeguarding Deacon and the Minister to ensure that any information is promptly assessed and any appropriate action is taken without delay. When needed, the DP will be the link between the church and other outside bodies, such as Social Services or the Police.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, so if you have any concerns about the safety or well-being of a child, young person or vulnerable adult please speak to the DP, even if you are unsure if it is something that will require action. It is better to discuss your concerns and be reassured than to ignore them and then worry that someone is at risk of harm.
If you wish to see a copy of the full safeguarding policy (around 50 pages long), please click on the pdf link.
Data Protection Policy
Under General Data Protection Regulation the Diaconate of Stalham Baptist Church is the Data Controller and can be contacted by email.
We hold personal information to enable the church to manage and run its various groups and activities including pastoral support. Data Protection legislation allows us to hold and process this information as is necessary for the church’s legitimate interests.
Your name, contact details and further details will be entered into our church database which is held on web-based servers. The full dataset will only be available to the Deacons, pastoral staff and Data Protection Officer of the church. Appropriate sub-sets of the data will be available to those volunteers within the church who have a designated role and for whom that role requires the information.
At their request any personal data of those no longer a member or a regular attender at the church or any of its groups will be removed from the database. Data may be retained for marketing purposes for those who only attend annual or other occasional events.
To enable us to provide adequate pastoral support the Pastoral staff may record information about people that may be regarded as sensitive. This information will be stored (in password protected documents) on their personal computers and the password only be known to them. This information will NOT be disclosed to anyone else without the subject's consent.
Anyone who may have personal data stored by the church has the right to ask to see that information (including the pastoral support information) by submitting a ‘Subject Access Request’ to the Church's Data Protection Officer. Such people also have the right to ask for information which they believe to be incorrect to be rectified.
Anyone concerned about the way their information is being handled should contact the Diaconate. If still unhappy they have the right to complain to the Information Commissioners Office.
Policy Updated: 14 August 2019
Diversity & Equal Opportunities Policy
Statement of Intent
Stalham Baptist Church is a Christian Organisation and registered charity, in membership with the Baptist Union of Great Britain. We are committed to treating all people equally, whether employees, volunteers, suppliers, and contractors or those who access our premises for any other purpose. Our values are aligned with Christian principles, and we believe in the inherent moral equality, dignity and worth of every individual
(There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28).
It is the policy of Stalham Baptist Church that all people, irrespective of their religion, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, age, disability, gender (including gender re-assignment), marital status or sexual orientation will be treated equally. The Equality Act 2010 provides the legal framework within which Stalham Baptist Church will implement this policy.
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Employees and Volunteers
Certain posts, whether paid or unpaid, will require that the post holder supports the ethos and the values of the Christian faith, uphold the principles of Stalham Baptist Church, and speak and act in line with Christian values in the course of their duties. These posts are recognised as having Genuine Occupational Requirements.
All information in relation to any of the above posts, including advertising and role definitions/job descriptions will make the position of religious belief clear.
After taking into account any genuine occupational requirement, entry into employment, promotion or change of post within Stalham Baptist Church is determined by personal merit and ability, relevant to the mission and purpose of the church.
Responsibility
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Reporting Concerns
It is the responsibility of every individual to eliminate discrimination by ensuring the practical application of the equal opportunities policy and reporting concerns about any possible breach of this policy to the Trustees.
All allegations of discrimination (including harassment) will be treated seriously.
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Any concerns should be reported to one of the following:-
Equal Opportunities Trustee: Church Secretary
Policy Updated: 8 September 2021