Safeguarding is very important to us at Belhaven and Spott. Our aim is to protect the congregation's children and adults who are at risk. To that end, all volunteers who carry out regulated work within the congregation - e.g., Launchpad, Lazers, Messy Church, Car Rota, etc. - must be PVG-registered with Disclosure Scotland. ("PVG" = Protecting Vulnerable Groups.)
These individuals must also attend appropriate training with Church of Scotland Safeguarding Service, either in person or online, and this training must be updated every 3-to-5 years. All Elders who are also Trustees and members of the Kirk Session must also attend Trustee training with the same organisation. This training must also be refreshed every 3-to-5 years. These are legal requirements and cannot be ignored.
If any person in the Congregation suspects or witnesses harm or abuse, or it is reported to you as a member of the Congregation, you must immediately report it to our Safeguarding Coordinator, Helen Baptie, who will then contact the Church of Scotland's
Safeguarding Service at 121 George Street. (Helen can be contacted on 01368 862782 or 07944 560733, either to report an incident or to ask about training or other related issues.)