ST BOTOLPH’S CHURCH BARTON SEAGRAVE CHILD PROTECTION /SAFEGUARDING
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
THE GOLDEN RULE
“Keep all
relationships with children and young people open, observable, readily
understood and shared with more than one responsible adult. All work with children and young people must
be well supervised and the people doing it carefully selected, well trained and
advised of their child protection duties.”
The
appropriate ratios of adults to children will be maintained, with a minimum of
two adults with any group. The approved
ratios are.
a)
0-2 yrs
1 adult to 3 children
b) 2-3 yrs
1 adult to 4 children
c)
3-8 yrs
1 adult to 8 children
d)
8-18 yrs
1 adult to 10 children
e)
No adult should be expected to work with
children alone
v The rights
feelings and dignity of children should be maintained at all times. Workers should treat all children/young
people with respect in their attitude, language used and actions
v Children’s
privacy should be respected and questionable activities (eg
rough/sexually provocative games, or comments) should be avoided. Children should also be discouraged from initiating
such activities among themselves.
v We believe
that appropriate physical contact between adults and children is usually good
and healthy. It should be encouraged in
public places, but discouraged where an adult and child are on their own. For example, if a child is upset or hurt,
physical comfort may be offered.
Inappropriate physical contact should be avoided and the contact geared
to the age of the child concerned. It
would for instance, be inappropriate to kiss a teenager better, or let them sit
on your lap.
v Workers
should avoid inviting a child to their home, particularly if they will be alone
with them. If this does happen it should
be with the knowledge of the team/leadership and the parent fully aware.
v Babies and
children should be changed if they are in wet or soiled clothing. If volunteers are in agreement, written
permission must be given by parents if workers are to undertake this task
v
A Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) enhanced
check will be required
v
All records are confidential and must be kept
in a safe place. During an interregnum, the Rural Dean is responsible for any
records: the Church Wardens will liaise with the RD in the appointment of new
workers or any child protection issues which may arise.
It is recognized that
making decisions about Schedule 1 offenders (those convicted of abusing
children) is a very complex and sensitive area.
It may well be advisable and necessary to seek advice through the CCPAS (Churches
Child Protection Advisory Service)
v The Child
Protection Co-coordinator will ensure that anyone who is working with children
and young people is briefed on our child protection policy and procedures and
on how it impacts on their role.
v The CP Co-coordinator
will be available to attend any church group to inform, discuss and to help
members to implement the policy and procedures.
v Each group
leader will be given an information pack which contains the child protection
policy and procedures and general information about child abuse. It will be their responsibility to make it
available to individual volunteers.
Action – CP Coordinator
v Periodic
group or individual discussions with the CP Coordinator will identify further
training needs.
v Key individuals
and groups will be kept up to date with changes/additions to the child
protection policies and procedures by the CP Coordinator
v Parents of
children and young people participating in church activities will be informed
of our child protection arrangements and policy.
v Copies of
Child Protection Policy and Procedures will be displayed on all relevant notice
boards and the church website – action – CP Coordinator.
v Local
child protection telephone numbers will be placed strategically at various
points on the church premises – Action – CP Coordinator
v The CP Co-coordinator
will report at each Annual General Meeting on developments in our child
protection policy.
v
Organizations wishing to use the premises
will be asked to verify their possession of a CP policy and procedures
v
The incumbent or his representative will if
necessary assess the adequacy of an organizations procedures prior to agreement
of their use of the premises
v
Organisations unable to provide an acceptable
CP Policy and Procedures of their own will be encouraged to adopt ours in order
to use the premises.
v
The relevant church group’s representative
will bring our Policy and Procedures and the name of the CP Coordinator to the
attention of the organizations using the premises.
v
When a child or young person makes an
allegation of abuse we should listen carefully and sensitively. Any concerns or allegations of abuse must be
reported immediately, via the relevant church group’s leader to the incumbent
or CP Coordinator.
v If
concerns are expressed to the CP Coordinator, he will immediately notify the
incumbent, or in his absence, the Rural Dean.
The incumbent will advise the Rural Dean or his representative on the
action taken. If a member of staff is
the subject of an abuse allegation the same process will follow. If this involves the incumbent or the Coordinator
the Church Wardens will facilitate the procedure.
v In all
cases of child abuse allegations the lead-investigating agency is Social
Services, backed up by the police where necessary. If there is doubt and controversy surrounding
the allegation a wise course of action is to consult with Social Services or the
NSPCC. This can be done in confidentiality
and without divulging names at this stage.
v We need to
remember that the well being of the child or young person is our first and
overriding concern
v Unless the
person wishes to remain anonymous, this should include the referrers details
(name, address, telephone number) and as much factual detail as possible about
the child and family concerned (names of family members, address, name &
date of birth of subject child, ethnic origin etc.
v The
referrer will be informed that information relating to any child at risk, or
potentially at risk, will be shared with the Coordinator and may result in
referral to the Social Services Department, who may wish to interview the
referrer as part of the child protection investigation.
The
church has a comprehensive Health and Safety Policy and our Safeguarding policy
should dovetail into this. Certain key
areas are as follows
v
Premises should be safe for the age of
children. Furniture and equipment that
may be dangerous needs to be made secure or fenced off.
v
A Register of attendance for each group must
be kept, including the names of leaders and helpers.
v
A first aid kit should be available in the
church building or at the venue of the children’s activity and clearly marked.
v
An accident/incident report book should be
kept in church or at the venue of the children’s activity.
v
All those who drive on church organized
activities must be over 21 and must have held a full driving license for over 2
years
v
All cars carrying children must have
comprehensive insurance
v
All cars should be in roadworthy condition
v
All children must wear suitable seat belts,
or be secured in seats If these are not available
children should not be carried
v
At no time should the number of children in
the car exceed the number of seats. or belts available
v
Where a child is known to have a disability
or special requirement, a non driving adult should travel in the car. This adult should sit in the back, behind the
driver, with the child in the seat beside him/her.
v
Drivers must comply with all speed
restrictions and other driving regulations
v
Drivers must not consume alcohol or drugs
when there are young people in their care
v
It is acceptable for an adult to transport
children as long as they have parental permission.
v The CP
Co-ordinator will periodically consult church user groups for their
views on the workability of the policy and procedures. The CP Co-ordinator will then report to the
PCC on any necessary or recommended changes to the policy and procedures.