PCC > Parish policies > Safeguarding and child protection

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

(Approved, March 2010)

Parish address: Honey Hill & Hospital Road, Bury St
Edmunds, Suffolk

Vicar: The Revd Malcolm Rogers

Child Protection Coordinator: Mrs Ruth Marple

Assistant coordinators:

St Mary’s: Mrs S Filkins

St Peter’s: Miss H Sykes

St Mary’s Choir Mrs R Marple

Further Contact Details:

Bishop’s Advisor: 01473 298522

NSPCC: 0800 800500

Childline: 0800 1111

Social Services 01473 715111

Customer First 0808 8004005

CHURCH SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

All people are precious in the sight of God. We as Christians should therefore be especially careful to safeguard the welfare of all those, especially children and young people, who choose to attend services and activities within our parish. (According to law, a child is anyone under the age of eighteen.) This document (hereafter ‘the policy’) is the way in which the Parochial Church Council (hereafter the PCC) hopes to fulfil this responsibility. The PCC recognises that many people have been, and continue to be, the victim of many kinds of abuse. (A definition of abuse can be found at the end of this document.) The PCC is committed to valuing, listening to, and relating effectively with all potentially vulnerable people whilst ensuring their protection within church activities. Our aim has been to achieve best practice to protect both children, vulnerable adults, and staff-without deterring volunteers from coming forward.

POLICY PRINCIPLES

A copy of the policy should be readily available within each church, and at the Hyndman Centre. It is imperative that all children are aware of its existence, and of the identity of child protection representatives. The Childline, NSPCC and Child Protection Coordinator’s (hereafter CPC) telephone numbers should be readily accessible on the policy. All clergy, paid staff, CPC’s, Deputy CPC’s, PCC members, church Committee members, those in contact with minors, Readers, bell ringers, retired clergy, Organists and choir representatives should hold a copy of the policy, as should the PCC secretary. The policy includes the necessary pro-forma for the use of clergy, churchwardens, CPCs and children’s workers in order to fulfil legal requirements. No other forms should be used without CPC or clergy consent.

All parents should be advised that this policy is available online.

The PCC has adopted the following as the key points of the policy:

· To annually review a Safeguarding Policy consistent with the House of Bishops and Diocesan Policies, having in mind the current provisions of the insurance policy.

· The appointing of a Child Protection Coordinator and three Deputies, one each for St Mary’s, St Peter’s and St Mary’s Choir.

· Ensuring that all in positions of status; and those working with children and young people, are given the support and training they need in order to encourage good practice and future recruitment.

· Adhering to the Diocesan guidelines for the employment of staff and volunteers.

· Adopting the recommended diocesan system for dealing with and reporting allegations of abuse, whoever may be implicated. A flow chart for referral can be found at the end of this policy, and all clergy, PCC, churchwardens, CPC’s and volunteers should acquaint themselves with it.

· Providing pastoral care for those who have been the victims of abuse, and for those who have been accused and/or not found guilty of abuse.

· Maintaining good links with the statutory child care authorities, and the Bishops Safeguarding Officer.

· Ensuring good practice in the area of child supervision, adult/child ratios etc. A code of practice is available at the end of this policy for the use of all those in contact with minors.

· Encouraging and supporting all parents and carers in their God given role.

· The incumbent has overall legal responsibility.

POLICY PROCEDURES

Recruitment

· Formal applications should be sued for all posts, both paid and voluntary. Part one of which is confidential to clergy, CPCs, group leaders and parish administrators; part two being confidential to clergy and CPCs. Application forms will be made available in both churches and the Parish Office.

· Two references, relevant to the post, must be sought which comply with the following criteria: References must be given by an upstanding member of the community, but not by the clergy judging the application, or a close family member. Spot checks may be made to judge validity.

· Declaration forms for any previous convictions must be completed by the new applicant until July 2010, when the new vetting and barring system will come into being and replace them.

· From July 2010 all posts are subject to registration on the Vetting and Barring list.

· All those that regularly work with children and young people have to have an Enhanced CRB Disclosure. The parish intends to use a rolling programme to ensure that within a 3-5 year period all workers will comply with this requirement. The Enhanced Disclosure is reviewable after years. We will allow the transfer of CRB disclosures at the incumbent’s discretion, provided the check is under 3 years old, and that proof of continued employment within the post for which it was applied is given.

· Where the applicant has little experience within his/her new post extra support must be given initially. All posts are subject to a three month probationary period.

· In an interregnum, all returns must be seen by a churchwarden or one of the stipendiary clergy.

· Training, provided by the Diocese, must be given to all working with minors every 3 years and within 6 months of their appointment.

· Paid staff including clergy must be given a formal interview and written job description in which Child Protection matters are discussed. The need for an Enhanced Disclosure CRB check, regular training, and vetting and barring registration should be dealt with. Three months after appointment a review should take place to discuss any matters arising.

INCIDENTS AND ALLEGATIONS

Accident forms must be kept in both churches and at the Hyndman Centre. They should be completed at the time of the incident and afterwards signed by a member of the clergy, churchwarden or CPC.

Individuals may become concerned that someone is, or may be at risk of, being harmed because of:

· Their own observations

· The child telling them

· The abuser telling them

· A report from another person

· An anonymous communication

If an allegation is made or there is any suspicion of child abuse of any kind, the matter must be reported to the CPC or one of the stipendiary clergy, assuming they are not involved. All reports must be written down, signed and dated. Particular notice should be taken of the diocesan guidelines on how to respond to an allegation of abuse, and the Flowchart for Referral, on page 9 of this policy. If a member of staff is implicated-the Social Services and the Bishops Advisor on Child Protection must be informed by the CPC or a Deputy CPC. If a parent or another minor is implicated, the CPC or clergy can choose to report the incident immediately, or not, dependent on consultation with the incumbent, (or church warden in an interregnum) and the perceived risk to the victim.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND HYNDMAN CENTRE USE

Specific Consent and accident forms have been made available for the likes of choir camp, holiday clubs etc. They are all available on application to the CPC, or a Deputy CPC. Please note that the CPC must be informed of all proposed trips and one off events.

All users of the Hyndman Centre who run activities for minors or vulnerable adults must sign a declaration that the leader has received recognised Child Protection training. This does not apply to those activities where parents or carers are present, eg. children’s parties.

STAFF/STUDENT RATIOS

The Diocesan Youth Office states that the following ratios should be adhered to:

0-2 year olds- 1 adult to 3 children 2-3 year olds- 1 adult to 4 children

3-8 year olds- 1 adult to 8 children Over 8- 1 adult to 12 children

Discretion should be used where varying ages and/or parents are involved.

PREVIOUS OR POTENTIAL OFFENDERS

Those who have been the perpetrators of abuse in the past should be welcomed into the church subject to a risk management plan. The Bishop’s Safeguarding Officer should always be informed of the presence of ex-offenders. The Officer will contact a Detective Inspector from the Police Public Protection Unit and a Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) for Suffolk County Council’s Children and Young Peoples Services to formulate the abovementioned plan. If necessary, the Bishop’s Safeguarding Officer will draft an attendance agreement in consultation with the Incumbent.

Confidential advice for potential offenders can be received from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation ‘Stop it Now’ freephone helpline: 0808 1000900.

Appendix A

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

CHILD PROTECTION CO-ORDINATORS

· Undertake review of policy each year (possibly February).

· Remind the churchwardens/incumbent to present policy to the first meeting of the PCC (usually June).

· Provide copies of the policy to new PCC members

· Help PCC implement the policy principles.

· Ensure that adequate training is undergone by all who need it, (‘Introduction to Safeguarding Children’ provided by Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board).

· Liaise with Bishop’s Advisor or Social Services.

· Receive all reports of abuse.

· Meet annually with CPC, all Deputy CPCs, Incumbent and Churchwardens to discuss policy and any matters arising.

· Ensure yearly register of children in October.

CHILDRENS AND YOUTH WORKERS (PAID AND VOLUNTARY)

· All workers must read and carry out the Safeguarding Policy

· All workers are subject to the recruitment procedures laid out above.

· Ensure any activities are covered by appropriate Consent Forms - available from any CPC.

· Keep registers for all children and staff at meetings.

· Bring to the attention of the Deputy CPC or CPC any concerns about children, volunteers, or the current guidelines.

· Invite CPC to one meeting per year to discuss policy, training and paperwork.

· At all times follow the Code of Conduct, Appendix B. Never be alone with a child unless unavoidable, and in which case inform the leader or CPC as soon as possible.

· Keep a record of the telephone numbers at the top of the policy, perhaps along with the weekly registers.

Appendix B

CODE OF CONDUCT

Discipline is the education of a person’s character. It includes nurturing, training, instruction, chastisement, verbal rebuke, teaching and encouragement. It brings security, produces character, prepares for life, is evidence of love and is God’s heart. (Hebrews 12: 5-12 and Proverbs 22:6). Ask God for wisdom, discernment and understanding. Pray for and with, all the children in your care.

Work on each individual child’s positives, do not compare them with each other, but encourage and build them up, giving them responsibility for simple tasks. Each child is unique, special, and each child needs a different method of being dealt with. We need to ask why a child may be misbehaving.

Be a good role model. You can’t expect children to observe ground rules if you break them yourself.

Do not teach on your own.

Take care to give quieter and well-behaved children attention and do not allow some children to take all your time and energy.

Be consistent in what you say, and ensure that other team members know what you have said-this avoids manipulation.

Look honestly at your programme - if children are bored, they misbehave. Is the programme at fault?

NEVER smack or hit a child and do not shout unless absolutely unavoidable. Change voice tone if necessary. Discipline out of love, and not anger. Call on support from other leaders if you feel you may deal with the situation unwisely in your anger.

Lay down ground rules, eg. no swearing, racism or name calling, and respect for property. Make sure the children understand what action will be taken if rules are broken.

Separate children who have a tendency to be disruptive when together. Always be patient and do this after giving a warning, however.

Have the child sit right in front of you or get a helper to sit next to the child. Be proactive and encourage helpers to be proactive and not wait to be told to deal with a situation.

Take the child aside and talk to them, challenge them to change, whilst encouraging them on their strengths. If a child’s behaviour is constantly disruptive, seek advice and guidance from a leader.

Do not give lifts without another adult present or have several children in the car.

Do not touch children inappropriately.

Do not invite a young person to your home alone.

Do not be sexually suggestive about or to a young person.

Always let your leader know if a problem/concern has arisen when working with young persons.

Pray before you meet and talk over the session before you leave.

Appendix C

DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE AND HOW TO DEAL WITH DISCLOSURE

Definitions of child abuse recommended as criteria for registration by the Department of Health, “Working Together under the Children Act 1989” are as follows:

PHYSICAL INJURY

Actual or likely physical injury to a child or failure to prevent physical injury (or suffering) to a child, including deliberate poisoning, suffocation and Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy.

SEXUAL ABUSE

Actual or likely sexual exploitation of a child or adolescent. The child may be dependent and/or developmentally immature.*

Sexual exploitation represents the involvement of dependent, developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities they do not truly comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent or that violate social taboos or family roles (Kempe and Kempe 1978.) Kempe, T S & Kempe, C.H. (1978) Child Abuse, London: Fontana Open Books)

NEGLECT

The persistent or severe neglect of a child or the failure to protect a child from exposure to any kind of danger, including cold and starvation or extreme failure to carry out important aspects of care, resulting in the significant impairment of the child’s health or development, including non-organic failure to thrive.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Actual or likely severe adverse effect on the emotional behavioural development of a child caused by persistent or severe emotional ill-treatment or rejection. All abuse involves some emotional ill-treatment. This category is used where it is the main or sole form of abuse.

The Department of Health in a consultation paper issued in February 1998 has proposed the following additional category.

ORGANISED ABUSE

Organised abuse is sexual abuse where there is more than a single abuser and the adults concerned appear to act in concert to abuse children and/or where an adult uses an institutional framework or position of authority to recruit children for sexual abuse.

It is not easy to give precise guidance, but the following may help in trying to respond to a child wanting to talk about abuse:

General Points

Show acceptance of what the child says (however unlikely the story may sound)

Keep calm.

Look at the child directly.

Be honest.

Tell the child you will need to let someone else know – do not promise confidentiality.

Even when a child has broken a rule, they are not to blame for the abuse.

Be aware that the child may have been threatened or bribed not to tell.

Never push for information. If the child decides not to tell you after all, then accept that and let them know that you are always ready to listen.

Helpful Things You May Say or Show

I believe you (or showing acceptance of what the child says).

Thank you for telling me.

It’s not your fault.

I will help you.

Don’t Say

Why didn’t you tell anyone before?

I can’t believe it!

Are you sure this is true?

Why? How? When? Who? Where?

Never make false promises.

Never make statements such as “I am shocked, don’t tell anyone else.”

CONCLUDING

Again reassure the child that they were right to tell you and show acceptance.

Let the child know what you are going to do next and that you will let them know what happens (you might have to consider referring to Social Services or the Police to prevent a child or young person returning home if you consider them to be seriously at risk of further abuse.)

Contact the person in your church/organisation responsible for co-ordinating child protection concerns or the Bishop’s Adviser on Child Protection or contact Social Services/Police/NSPCC.

Consider your own feelings and seek pastoral support if needed.

Make notes as soon as possible (preferably within one hour of the child talking to you), writing down exactly what the child said and when she/he said it, what you said in reply and what was happening immediately beforehand (eg a description of the activity.) Record dates and times of these events and when you made the record. Keep all hand-written notes, even if subsequently typed. Such records should be kept safely for an indefinite period.

A QUICK 10 POINT CHECK LIST IN THE CASE OF ALLEGED ABUSE

1. DO NOT TELL PARENTS –

Could be the abusers despite what child may say or you might think.

2. DO NOT TELL THE PERSON ACCUSED

Even if it is the vicar!

3. BELIEVE THE CHILD BUT BE NON-COMMITAL –

Reassure, keep calm, show acceptance, tell him/her what you are going to do next. Use listening skills – ie use expressions such as – ‘I see, yes, mm…’

4. DO NOT QUESTION THE CHILD –

You are not skilled enough, not legally allowed, child will see it as interrogation and think you do not believe him/her, may jeopardise any criminal case.

5. DO NOT PROMISE CONFIDENTIALITY –

Tell them that you have to tell X.

6. DO NOT SUGGEST THAT THE CHILD WAS TO BLAME –

eg ‘were you naughty?’

7. BE AWARE OF THE FEARFULNESS OF THE CHILD –

Most are threatened or bribed not to tell.

8. CONTACT YOUR INCUMBENT/CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE-

Even if victim and worker are away from the parish – a time lag is dangerous for the child and likely to benefit the abuser eg confusion of evidence, second thoughts. If no one is available in the parish contact the Bishop’s Adviser or Social Services.

9. MAKE NOTES –

Of what you and the child said to each other, when the conversation occurred or if it is a suspicion, write details down eg position of bruises. Keep these notes even if you later type them up as a summary. You can mark in the position of any injuries on a body diagram.

10. SEEK PASTORAL SUPPORT FOR YOURSELF IF NECESSARY.