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ST PETER’S CHURCH, HALL GREEN
PARISH POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN
AND VULNERABLE ADULTS
Statement of values
The Parish Church Council of St Peter’s Hall Green recognises the need to
safeguard the children and young people in our care and guard against the
possibility of any form of abuse of children and young people by persons who
may be acting in the name of our parish.
We aim to create a welcoming, secure and safe environment for the nurture and
development of children and young people, in order for them to feel valued and
confident to ask for support and help.
Children and young people are a precious gift from God and their welfare is our
first priority, over and above the interests of the establishment. We have a clear
responsibility to do all that we can to ensure the safety and well-being of children
and young people. We will treat them with dignity and respect, take their views
seriously and always take appropriate action to ensure their welfare is given
priority. We will treat children and young people as individuals and pay particular
attention to anyone who has additional needs – physical, behavioural, learning or
from minority ethnic groups to ensure their full integration and protection within
the church family.
We welcome children and young people as an integral part of our church life now
and regard them as partners with us in the journey of faith. Their spiritual welfare
is particularly important. We recognise our responsibility to nurture them but also
that they in turn can teach us.
We will create policies and procedures that uphold the importance of our
responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people
entrusted to our care. A Parish Safeguarding Children Co-ordinator will be
appointed to ensure the implementation of this policy.
The Parish Safeguarding Children Co-ordinator is at present the Vicar, Canon Martin Stephenson and can be
contacted on 0121 777 1935
Our Policy
• We commit to providing a safe physical environment for work with children
and young people.
• We will ensure the children and young people in our care know who they
can talk to if they have any concerns.
• We will seek to be honest and open in our relationships with our children
and young people and ensure that we listen to them, taking into account
both what is said and what may be communicated by posture, tone or
gesture. - 2 –
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• We will always listen to and take seriously any child or young person who
reports that they have been abused, following our procedures.
• We recognise our responsibility always to respond to and report abuse in
whatever context, inside or outside the church environment.
• We will always report allegations of abuse and concerns about a child or
young person in accordance with our procedures.
• We will always report all allegations of abuse to the appropriate statutory
agency and to the Bishop’s Safeguarding Children Advisor.
• We will keep all records in relation to safeguarding concerns, allegations
and the recruitment of volunteers and paid workers securely.
• We will raise awareness within the whole church community that we are
committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
• We commit to the safe recruitment of all new and current volunteers and
paid workers who have contact with children and young people.
• We will challenge unacceptable behaviour eg bullying.
• We will respect personal privacy of children and young people and be
sensitive if they wish to opt out of an activity.
Everyone in the church community is called upon to adhere to these values.
Anyone who has a concern about a child has a responsibility to take action.
VULNERABLE ADULTS
- We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and
that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our
lives. - As members of this parish we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral
care for all adults to whom we minister. - We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be
vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church. - We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions
of trust. - The parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment
of people who may be vulnerable. - It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional,
sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of vulnerable people and to report
any such abuse that we discover or suspect to the incumbent or the
designated lead persons for adult safeguarding
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- We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection
of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable. - The parish is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and
regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who
may be vulnerable. - The parish adopts the guidelines of the Church of England and the
Diocese. - Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by
these recommendations and the guidelines established by this church.
PARTICULAR RESPONSIBILITIES
Clergy and those who have a position of responsibility within the church
Those with a leadership role within the church are expected to work with the
whole congregation to promote the welfare of children in the church and the
community.
Parish Safeguarding Children Co-ordinator (PSCC): David Smith
Parish Adult Safeguarding Co-ordinators: Julia Tortise and Kath Hawker
• Act as parish representatives on all matters relating to the protection of
children and young people/vulnerable adults and helps to develop a
culture of ‘informed vigilance’ within the parish.
• Acts as a link between the parish and diocese in terms of information
sharing and training opportunities
• Available to offer support and/or advice to the clergy and children/youth
workers in matters relating to welfare of children.
The Parish Safeguarding Children Co-ordinator and The Parish Adult
Safeguarding Co-ordinators are appointed by the PCC and responsible to the
PCC and the vicar.
Children’s Advocate: Jo Weir 0121 704 0597
• Has regular contact with children and leaders in the parish
• Reports to PCC meetings and will raise any issues regarding children and
represent their views and needs in regard to ministry, worship and
pastoral care.
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PCC
• Appoints PSCC and receives regular reports from Children’s Advocate
• Ensures issues relating to children within the church are considered at
PCC meetings (to be a standing item on the PCC agenda)
• Reviews Parish Child Protection Policy annually and ensures it is being
implemented.
• Ensures all leaders are recruited and appointed in accordance with Parish
child protection policy
• Ensures insurance cover is adequate
• Ensures premises where young people meet are of a good and
acceptable standard. This includes a regular (at least quarterly) fault
finding inspection of premises in regular use.
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND BIRMINGHAM
The Bishop’s Safeguarding Adviser is Stephanie Haynes.
She can be contacted on 07342 993 844 StephH@cofebirmingham.com
If an allegation of child abuse is made against a member of the clergy or
someone holding the Bishop’s licence the procedure outlined in Section 10
of ‘God’s Children Our Diocese’ will be followed.
PROTECTING CHILDREN AND
YOUNG PEOPLE and VULNERABLE ADULTS
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Parish Safeguarding Children Co-ordinator
Martin Stephenson 0121 777 1935
Parish Adult Safeguarding Co-ordinators
Julia Tortise 07957 393371
Kath Hawker 0121 711 8173
Vicar of St Peter’s
The Revd Canon Martin Stephenson 0121 777 1935
………………………………………………..
Children’s Advocate
Jo Weir: 0121 704 0597
Bishop’s Safeguarding Advisor - 5 –
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Stephanie Haynes – T: 07342 993 844 e: StephH@cofebirmingham.com
Churches’ Child Protection
Advisory Service 0845 120 4550
CHILDLINE 0800 1111 (for children)
NSPCC 0800 800500
Our Procedures
At St Peter’s it is recognised that the following people have contact with children
and young people or are in a position of responsibility and trust within the church
community, which gives them the opportunity or expectation that they might have
regular or unsupervised contact with children
• Clergy and Readers
• Director of Music
• Church wardens and deputy wardens
These people must complete an enhanced disclosure with a check of the
relevant barred list every 5 years.
Recruitment Procedures
The Vicar and the PCC have overall responsibility for the recruitment of paid
workers and volunteers in all church sponsored organisations.
At St Peter’s the following groups are covered by the parish child protection
policy and the parish adult safeguarding policy:
• Junior church
• Tots and Co
• Day Centre (Lunch club for older people)
The 80th Birmingham Boys’ Brigade and The 80th Birmingham Girls’ Brigade and
conform with our parish safeguarding policy. Any safeguarding concerns are
reported to the Parish Safeguarding Children Co-ordinator or, if not immediately
available, to the Vicar.
The Guide and Scout Associations attached to St Peter’s have their own
safeguarding procedures and report directly to their District Safeguarding Lead.
[However, for Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Brigade Annual Camp, where volunteers
are recruited who are not BB or GB Officers, St Peter’s will conduct the
necessary procedures for DBS checks and keep records of this]. - 6 –
6
We will require these and all hirers of our premises who run regular activities for
children and young people but are not covered by the St Peter’s policies, to have
their own child protection policy and procedures and to provide us with an
assurance that these are implemented and to provide us with a copy.
Responsibilities of the church in recruitment
• We will provide every worker and volunteer with clear instructions and
information in respect of their role, adequate support and supervision and
regular opportunities for review (See Appendix A)
• We will assess all new and current volunteer and paid worker roles and,
where the role is deemed to be eligible, apply for an appropriate level
criminal record check (Appendix D gives guidance as to which roles
require a check. Appendix E has the forms to be completed)
• We will keep a Parish Information log of Disclosure and Barring
Applications and renew application every 5 years (Appendix G)
• We will keep a record of volunteer contact information (Appendix H)
• We will formally commission people into the role and confirm the
appointment in writing
• We accept responsibility for initiating and providing initial and on-going
training for all our paid workers and volunteers
• If there are concerns about a volunteer, or an allegation has been made
against that individual, the volunteer will cease to act in that role until the
results of the investigation are made clear.
• We will ensure appropriate supervision of anyone who is known to have
offended against a child or young person who attends activities organised
by the Parish Church Council of St Peter’s Church Hall Green
• We commit to the support of adult and child survivors of abuse
• We commit to providing appropriate support and guidance to any
individual within our church community who is accused of causing harm to
a child or young person in our care.
• We will review our Child Protection Policy annually to ensure that it meets
all current legislation, House of Bishop’s policies and God’s Children:Our
Diocese
•
Responsibilities of volunteers and paid staff
It is expected that leaders and regular helpers of church groups that work with
children and young people will;
• Complete an application form (Appendix B) and confidential declaration
(Appendix C)
• Name 2 referees, one of whom should be from a current employer or
previous church
• Complete a disclosure if required (Appendix E)
• Have an appropriate interview
• Sign a volunteer agreement (Appendix F)
• Be open to support and review
• Receive supervision and support in their role - 7 –
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• Inform the vicar in writing of any relevant change in circumstances
Good Practice Guidelines
Creating a safe environment when working with children and young
people
Have a ratio of at least one adult for every
3 children aged 0-2 years
4 children aged 2-3 years
6 children aged 3-5 years
8 children aged 5+
There should be at least 2 leaders with groups of up to 10 children and at
least 3 thereafter. Ensure there are sufficient adults for the activities
planned and to cover eventualities such as one child/ young person
needing individual attention
• If a group is of mixed gender try to have leaders of each gender
• If groups meet in different rooms, open the doors & have a ‘floating adult’
• Avoid situations where a child/ young person is left alone with an adult,
including taking children and young people as lone passengers in the car.
• Ensure leaders are clear about what is expected of them and who will
support and supervise them in the role.
Risk assessments/consents
• Look at the meeting place and check for hazards (eg piles of chairs that
could be pulled over by young children, trailing flexes, slippery floors, hot
kettles, doors that are not secure, unlit paths) Check fire exits and
emergency evacuation procedures
Appendix M GCOD has a Health and Safety Checklist.
• Ensure you have a register of contact details of responsible adults of
children in the case of accident/emergency and relevant dietary and
medical details of the child/young person. (See GCOD Appendix G for
sample form)
• If planning an activity away from the usual premises, carry out a risk
assessment of the alternative venue and ensure parents/carers have
signed appropriate consent form for activity. (See GCOD Appendix H and
I for a sample form) - 8 –
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• Photos should not be displayed without the prior permission of parents
and guardians. Do not name children in website and other public photos,
and use group photos rather than of individuals. All children should be
properly dressed. If planning to take photos ensure the appropriate
consents have been signed (See Appendix S3 GCOD for sample form)
• No unsecured computers or mobile internet devices should be available to
the children. Be aware of the precautions regarding internet safety – (See
GCOD 4.8: Internet and Mobile Phone safety, and see the notes under
‘Recommended Guidelines’ p.8 below.
• Ensure that leaders are aware of the location of the First Aid box and have
received First Aid Training. Record any accidents in an Accident book
(Appendix J of GCOD has a sample Accident Book)
• Ensure group has adequate insurance cover
RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES WHEN WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND
YOUNG PEOPLE
Good working practice
• Treat all children and young people with dignity and respect
• Respect personal privacy
• Be sensitive to others
• Be sensitive to a child’s wish to opt out of an activity
• Provide access for young people to talk to an appropriate adult about their
problems
• Challenge unacceptable behaviour eg bullying
• Do not allow abusive peer activities eg initiation ceremonies, ridiculing
• Plan activities appropriately
• Do not rely on your good name to protect you.
• Provide an example for others to follow
• Do not show favouritism to any individual
• Remember that your actions may be misinterpreted by others
• Don’t jump to conclusions about others without checking the facts
• Never exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues
• Do not allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate attention seeking
behaviour such as tantrums or crushes
• Seek support ie don’t try to deal with everything on your own.
(GCOD Sec 4 p3) - 9 –
9
Touch
• Any physical contact should only take place in public
• Physical contact should reflect the child’s needs, not the adult’s.
• Any physical contact should be age-appropriate, and generally initiated by
the child rather than the adult.
• Any physical activity which could be sexually stimulating to the adult or
child should be avoided.
• If physical contact is offered it is not appropriate to hold the youngster face
to face. An arm around the shoulder when the youngster is alongside the
adult is more appropriate.
• It is appropriate for helpers to monitor one another in the area of physical
contact and to be able to point out to each other anything that could be
misunderstood.
• If an adult persists in inappropriate touch with a young person this must be
challenged. If there are any concerns advice must be sought, without
delay from the vicar and/or the PCPC and/or the Bishop’s Child Protection
Advisor.
(GCOD Sec 4p8)
Using e-mail, chat rooms, text messaging and instant messaging software
These are the means of communication of choice for most young people, and
church leaders and youth workers are increasingly likely to use them. You need
to bear in mind the following points when doing so:
• E-mail: Youth workers should ensure that any communication they have with
young people is always public, not private. If workers are sending e-mails to
young people, e.g. to remind them of future youth meetings, ensure that the
church leaders are aware you are communicating with young people via e-mail
and that the parents/carers are happy with this. The content should be ‘public’.
Ideally send group e-mails rather than individual e-mails and copy the e-mail to a
colleague.
• Text messages: are private by nature, so take care when you use this medium.
Save messages as text files to ensure an open record exists. Churches should
have protocols about the use of Instant Messaging Services (IMS).
• Chat rooms: Due to the potential for misuse by those who are a risk to children
and the difficulties of managing it is strongly recommended parishes do not use
chat rooms to communicate with young people.
(Written by Childnet International for the Department for Education and
Employment, March 2001)
• Instant messaging software: as with text messages and chat rooms, care
should be taken when using this form of communication. It is recommended
seeking approval from church leaders and obtaining parental consent before
adding under 18s to your address book or contact list. Save ‘conversations’ to
ensure an open record exists. All forms of instant messaging and email are - 10 –
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conversational in style. However, it should be remembered that these forms of
communication are in fact written and that the written word is more permanent
than verbal conversation. You should therefore consider the following:
• The boundaries between your church role and private life. All communication
should be appropriate to your church role.
• Communication should be clear and not open to misinterpretation. If you are
using an ‘online name’ rather than your real name, be open and transparent
about this so that this is not misinterpreted as an attempt to conceal your true
identity.
• The agreement of protocols and boundaries between children, young people
and their leaders
RESPONDING TO A DISCLOSURE OR SUSPICION OF ABUSE
For a child to confide in an adult that s/he is being/has been abused they must
feel enough trust to be able to tell about their problem. This is both a privilege
and a responsibility. It is important to be aware that
• the child may want the abuse to stop but still love the abuser
• the child may think that you are able to stop the abuse without anything
else happening.
If it is possible, try to have another adult present whilst the child speaks, but do
not prevent the child from speaking if this is not a possibility or if it would
inhibit the child.
DO
• Listen
• Take time
• Take it seriously
• Reassure the child that he/she is right to tell
• Be honest with the child
• Be clear that, in order to help the child you cannot keep this information to
yourself
• Explain to the child what will happen next and reassure that you will
support them
• Consult and get support, but only from someone who needs to know and
who will keep the matter confidential
• Write down immediately what the child has said. Have your signature
witnessed and dated
• Report to the Bishop’s Child Protection Advisor (BCPA) or the Social
Services Dept.
(Appendix Q of GCOD has a suggested form for recording a disclosure.
Section 3.2 give full information of how to record a disclosure) - 11 –
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DON’T
• Show shock
• Try to silence
• Ask leading questions
• Keep the secret or agree to keep the secret
• Jump to conclusions
• Alert the perpetrator
• Make promises you can’t keep
HELPFUL THINGS TO SAY
• I’m glad you came to me
• I’m sorry this has happened
• I’m going to get help so that this stops happening
• You have been very brave to tell me
• You were right to tell me
TRY TO AVOID SAYING
• What , why, how, when, where, who?
• Are you sure?
• Why didn’t you say before?
• I can’t believe it
• I’m shocked
CONFIDENTIALITY
• It is vital that you do not speak to anyone implicated in the allegation
• You do not attempt to gain further information from the child or young
person
• You only talk to the people in the parish who have a responsibility for
these matters
• You reassure the child and tell them what you will do next.
REMEMBER:
SHARE RESPONSIBILITY APPROPRIATELY
SHARE INFORMATION APPROPRIATELY - 12 –
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What is abuse and neglect?
Abuse and Neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may
abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent
harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or
community setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a strange
for example, via the internet. They may be abused by an adult or adults, or
another child or children.
Physical Abuse
Physical Abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or
scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a
child.
Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the
symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional Abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as
to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional
development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless
or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of
another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to
express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they
say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally
inappropriate expectation being imposed on children. These may include
interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as
overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the
child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or
hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying
(including cyber bullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in
danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of
emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though in
may occur alone.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take
part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence,
whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may
involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape - 13 –
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or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing
and touching outside of clothing. They may include non-contact activities,
such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual
images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in
sexually inappropriate ways or grooming a child in preparation for abuse
(including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult
males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
Neglect
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or
psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s
health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of
maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a
parent or carer failing to:
! provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including
exclusion from home or abandonment)
! protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger
! ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate
care-givers)
! ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment
It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to a child’s basic
emotional needs.
Spiritual abuse
Spiritual abuse is not covered by the statutory definitions but is of concern
both within and outside faith communities including the Church.
Within faith communities, harm can also be caused by the inappropriate use
of religious belief or practice. This can include the misuse of the authority
of leadership or penitential discipline, oppressive teaching, or intrusive
healing and deliverance ministries. Any of these could result in children
experiencing physical, emotional or sexual harm. If such inappropriate
behaviour becomes harmful, it should be referred for investigation in
cooperation with the appropriate statutory agencies. Careful teaching, - 14 –
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supervision and mentoring of those entrusted with the pastoral care of
children should help to prevent harm occurring in this way. Other forms of
spiritual harm include the denial to children of the right to faith or the
opportunity to grow in the knowledge and love of God.
IMPACT OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Effects on all aspects of child’s health and development
Impact on child’s self-image and self-esteem
Difficulties in forming and sustaining close relationships
Difficulties in developing attitudes and skills to be an effective parent.
Impact is affected by Child’s means of coping and adapting
Support from family and social network
Subsequent life events
Response by professionals
Physical Abuse
! Neurological damage
! Physical injuries
! Disability
! Death
! Emotional and behavioural problems
Emotional Abuse
! Mental health
! Behaviour
! Self-esteem
Sexual Abuse
! Self-harm
! Inappropriate sexualised behaviour
! Sadness and depression
! Loss of self-esteem
Neglect
! Impairment growth
! Impairment intellectual development - 15 –
15
! Impairment of health
! Difficulties in social functioning & relationships
! Difficulties in educational progress
! Death
INDICATORS OF ABUSE
Note: These can also have other causes – so don’t automatically assume abuse,
but do report.
Physical Abuse
! Running away
! Work deteriorating
! Behaviour deteriorating
! Bullying
! Unexplained injuries or burns
! Unwilling to undress in front of
others
! Unwilling to receive medical help
! Too willing to do what is asked
! Refusal to discuss injuries
! Untreated injuries or illness
! Withdrawing from physical contact
! Unwilling to return home after
activity
! Fear of parents being contacted
Neglect
! Poor personal hygiene
! Irregular attendance/lateness
! Untreated illness or medical
problems
! Poor social skills
! Compulsive behaviour such as
stealing
! Regular tiredness
! Hunger
! Poor self-esteem
! Inappropriate clothes or
possessions
! Destructive behaviour
Emotional Abuse
! Fear of new experiences
! Eating problems
! Attention seeking
Sexual Abuse
! Pregnancy where unwilling to
identify the father
! Attempts to teach others about
sexual activity
! Bruises, scratches, burns or bite
marks in certain areas of the body
! Persistent infections in the genital
or anal regions
! Aggression or anger
! Social withdrawal
! Refusal to be with certain people
! Anxious or tearful
! Awareness of sexual matters
inappropriate for their age
! Public masturbation
! Provocative sexual behaviour or
promiscuity
! Eating disorders
! Attempted suicide or self harm
such as cutting
! In receipt of regular gifts of money
! Depression or disturbed sleep
! Too willing to do what is asked
! Lethargy or listlessness
! Soiling
! Anal or vaginal bleeding - 16 –
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! Repetitive/neurotic behaviour
! Drug or solvent abuse
! Self harm such as cutting
! Don’t care attitude
! Putting oneself down
! Changes in bedroom tidiness