HOLYWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

As an organisation using AccessNI to help assess the suitability of applicants for positions of trust, Holywood Baptist Church complies fully with Access NI’s Code of Practice (available HERE ). It ensures the correct handling, use, storage, retention and disposal of Disclosure applications and Disclosure information. We also comply fully with obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998 and other legislative requirements with regard to the safe handling, storage, retention and disposal of Disclosure Information.

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Child Protection forms are available here.

Good Practice Guidelines are available here.

Our Ex-Offenders Policy is available here

Storage and Access

In line with the churches GDPR policy, disclosure information is kept securely in a locked, non-portable safe which is located in a locked room. Access to this information is strictly controlled and limited to those who are entitled to see it as part of their duties.

Handling

In accordance with Section 124 of the Police Act 1997, Disclosure information is only ever passed to those who are authorised to receive it in the course of their duties. A record is maintained of those people with whom Disclosures or Disclosure information has been shared and we understand that it is a criminal offence to pass this information to anyone who is not entitled to see it.

Usage

Disclosure information is only used for the specific purpose for which it was requested and for which applicants full consent has been given.

Retention

Once a recruitment decision has been taken, Holywood Baptist Church does not retain Disclosure information for any longer than is necessary. We comply with AccessNI’s Code of Practice requirement to ensure that all Disclosure certificates will be destroyed once a decision, recruitment or otherwise, has been made. They will be retained no longer than 3 months after the Access NI certificate has been issued to the person.

Disposal

After the retention period has elapsed, the Church will ensure that any Disclosure information is destroyed by shredding or burning. While awaiting destruction, Disclosure information will not be held in any unsecured receptacle e.g. waste bin.

However, the church will keep the following information:
- a record of the date of issue of a Disclosure,
- the name of the subject,
- the type of disclosure requested,
- the position for which the Disclosure was requested,
- the Access NI Unique reference number of the certificate
- the details of the recruitment decision taken.

The church has a growing ministry to children and young people and takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people entrusted to the church’s care. A child or young person is a person under 18 years of age. A worker should be anyone aged 16 years or over who is engaged in work or a voluntary activity which involves contact with children or young people.

1. The church is committed to providing, in a Christian environment, the highest possible care for children and to safeguarding their welfare by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.
2. All workers will treat others with dignity, respect, sensitivity and fairness when involved in church organised activities.
3. All individuals recruited to work with children or young people will be required to complete a church application form and to meet with the organisation leader to discuss the task and our Good Practice Guidelines available to download here. (Be aware this is a fifty page document)
4. The church also promotes the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy which can be viewed here.

(Paper copies are available on request)

What To Do If You Suspect That Abuse May Have Occurred

Tell your leader in charge.

Complete a ‘Report of Concern’ form – Form 6.

Give the form to your leader in charge who should report your concerns as soon as possible to the co-ordinator Gayle McKee who is nominated by the church to act on their behalf in referring allegations or suspicions of neglect or abuse to the statutory authorities.

Contact Gayle at: cpc@holywoodbaptist.org.uk

Child Protection forms are available here.

Good Practice Guidelines are available here.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, then please feel free to get to know us, and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

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 the Church Building (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10.30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits in the lounge after the service. 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 we use an infra-red loop system for sound 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 main foyer.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10.30am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. Sometimes a person might pray out loud or read a small passage from the bible. We then share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. One of our leaders will then give a sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. (add section re communion) We then finish with a final worship song. There is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

Freely Christian Stock Photo

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

Creche (0 months to 3 years).
Junior Church (4+ years)
Rooted (years 8 & 9 - not every week, check with Welcome Team)

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. At the end of the notices someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. On your first visit you will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy.

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Home 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 daytime and some evenings. Check out Home 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.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, contact us at info@holywoodbaptist.org.uk.

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries:

Men's Ministries
Women's Ministries
GriefShare
Ignite (For Year 8+)
Seniors Lunch
English Language Class

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Alistair McNeice		Aaron Williamson
Alistair was appointed as pastor of the church when it was re-constituted in 2009. Prior to his appointment Alistair was Head of Chemistry at Sullivan Upper School whilst also being an elder at Strandtown Baptist Church. Alistair is married to Karen and they have four children, three sons and a daughter. You may contact Alistair by email		Aaron has been with us since 2012. Originally part-time as he was studying and then in a greater role, mainly with the young people in the church. Aaron serves as a pastor alongside Alistair and is married to Naomi with three young children.You can contact Aaron by email

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.