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CHILD PROTECTION POLICY and
Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults A: Introduction This
policy statement sets out the means by which St Barnabas Church, Clapham Common
will ensure that every precaution is taken to care, nurture and protect
children and vulnerable adults in our care or receiving services provided by
us. It is based on the Children Act,
Home Office Safe from Harm guidelines and the House of Bishops recommendations. The policy will be reviewed yearly and
approved by the PCC at the first meeting of each new calendar year. B: Aims Our
aims are to promote good practice in the protection of children and vulnerable
adults and to protect those, who on either a paid or voluntary basis work with
them on behalf of or in the name of St Barnabas’ Church, Clapham Common. C: Principles 1.
Children
and vulnerable people will be protected. 2.
The
welfare of the child is paramount. 3.
All
allegations of abuse will be taken seriously. 4.
We
will collaborate with statutory and voluntary agencies. 5.
Volunteers
will be trained and supported. 6.
Declarations
of offences will be sought from all volunteers and paid staff with regular
direct contact with children or vulnerable adults. D: Definitions Children
are defined as children and young people aged under 18 years. Vulnerable adults
may be regarded as those who are elderly and frail (especially if they live
alone), have learning difficulties, have mental health problems or in other
ways, in the judgement of the incumbent, appear less than fully
self-sufficient. E: Procedures The
PCC will appoint a Child Protection Representative. This person may be the incumbent or, if not, will work alongside the
incumbent to ensure that the Guidelines produced by the Diocese of Southwark in
relation to child protection are adhered to.
Details of this role are set out in Supplementary Guidelines for
Implementing Parish Child Protection Policy. Currently, it is the policy of St Barnabas’ Church, Clapham
Common to appoint the incumbent as the Child Protection Representative. F: Volunteers St
Barnabas Church, Clapham Common thrives on the tireless work of volunteers
supporting and enhancing that of the clergy in all aspects of our mission, both
internally and in relation to outreach work.
It is considered that interviewing all volunteers would place an
unacceptable burden on those organising activities and may stem the flow of
willing volunteers; however, the church will undertake a review of all
volunteer roles to determine which roles are considered likely to have
substantial direct contact with children or vulnerable adults. The church welcomes previous offenders to the
congregation but it will be left to the incumbent's discretion in consultation
with the Child Protection Representative (if, at any time, the CPR is not the
incumbent) as to their suitability of working with children. The Child Protection Representative will
then ensure that the volunteer completes: a
Confidential Offences Declaration Form, and a
Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure Form. The
list of volunteers will be reviewed annually at the beginning of each calendar
year and the CRB forms will be updated every three years. Diocesan requirements will be followed for
paid staff. G: Good Practice
Guidelines for Children's Activities 1.
At each meeting of children & young people there should
be at least two adults present. 2.
Where possible the gender of the adults should reflect that
of the group i.e. at least one man if there are boys
present, at least one woman if there are girls. 3.
If a single leader of a group is felt appropriate, several
groups may meet in a large room e.g. the hall or in adjoining
rooms with an open door between. 4.
If a child or young person is interviewed alone there should
be a second adult nearby. 5.
No person under the age of 18 years should be left in sole
charge of children of any age. 6.
In the case of the crèche there must be at least two adults
present even if there is only one infant. 7.
No child or young person should be left unattended at any
time. 8.
A registration form must be completed by each parent/carer
for every child who attends regularly. 9.
A register should be kept of children attending each
activity. It should include name,
address, telephone
number, date of birth and next of kin. 10.
A
record should be kept of attendance at each meeting. 11.
Written
permission (informed consent) from parents/carers must be obtained for
activities off the premises. 12.
If a
child is to be transported in a car or minibus the leader/driver must ensure
that they are covered by appropriate
insurance and if a minibus is used the person driving is authorised, holds an appropriate
licence and has passed the Midas Test.
Health & Safety Regulations must be followed. H: Administration The
leader of each activity will be responsible for ensuring: 1.
That records, registration forms and registers are kept and
stored confidentially 2.
That each volunteer associated with that activity completes
an application form 3.
In conjunction with the incumbent, will determine whether
their role entails substantial direct contact with
children or vulnerable adults 4.
That the Child Protection Representative is informed of all
volunteers who require a CRB check 5.
That direct contact with children or vulnerable adults is
avoided until the volunteer has been cleared by
the CRB J: The Child Protection
Representative will: 1.
Liaise with the Vicar, Church Wardens and PCC for new employees/volunteers
of the church to be checked
via the CRB. 2.
Maintain an up to date list of all employees/volunteers. 3.
Ensure that each role within the church has a job
description which reflects child protection issues. 4.
Provide leaders responsible for recruiting volunteers with a
volunteer application form. 5.
Provide Offences Disclosure and CRB forms to each volunteer
referred to her/him. 6.
Check the evidence of address/identity provided by that
volunteer. 7.
Send the form to the Diocesan CRB Administrator. 8.
Receive back from the CRB the outcome of the check. 9.
Keep personal information on volunteers in a secure place. 10.
In
conjunction with incumbent and taking the advice of the Diocesan Child
Protection Advisor,
decide on an appropriate course of action in the event of a positive
disclosure. 11.
Keep
a record of the dates of CRB checks of all volunteers and ensure that they are updated three yearly. The
PCC and CPR must assure itself that there is a place where records can be
stored securely and confidentially. Retention of Offences Declaration forms
must be indefinite and the incumbent will be responsible for their long-term
storage. K: Action if an
allegation of abuse is made or an adult working with a child is concerned about possible
abuse A
child should always be taken seriously.
The adult should consult the leader of the activity and then the Child
Protection Representative or the incumbent. The adult should not investigate or
contact Social Services directly except in an emergency. The Diocesan Child
Protection Advisor is available for consultation where appropriate. L: The Role of the
Diocese of Southwark The
Diocese will act as an Umbrella Body registered with the Criminal Records Bureau
in the name of the South London Church Fund and Southwark Diocesan Board of
Finance, through which parishes and associated organisations may apply for CRB
checks for volunteers. As such the PCC has signed up to the Policy Statement
Regarding Recruitment, Disclosures and the Security of Disclosure Information. M: Training Child
Protection training for volunteers involved in working with children will be
arranged on a three year rolling programme.
Records of attendance will be kept by the Child Protection
Representative. New
employees/volunteers will be individually briefed. All workers, paid or voluntary will be given a copy of the policy
to ensure consistency of approach. N: Insurance St
Barnabas Church, Clapham Common is covered for Public Liability Insurance with
the Ecclesiastical Insurance Company. The observance of `reasonable care' is a
standard insurance condition. The policyholder has a duty to adopt ‘best
practice'. The Ecclesiastical Insurance Company considers the implementation of
the Church of England Policy essential for the maintenance of public liability
insurance in the field of child abuse. P: Church Premises The
Incumbent/Administrator/CPR will ensure that the Guidance on the Child
Protection Policy in relation to groups who hire the church is implemented
through the Lettings Policy. Casual
users will sign and agree to abide by the church's Child Protection
Information. Long-term and regular users/hirers, which include termly or longer,
shall sign that they will abide by the church's policy and provide their own
policy to the Administrator. R: Monitoring The
implementation of the policy (supervision, registers, registration forms etc.)
will be monitored on a minimum basis of twice yearly during the Autumn and
Summer Term. S: Evaluation To
ensure accountability the Child Protection Representative will present an
evaluation report to the PCC at the first meeting of each calendar year. Contact Numbers Parish Child Protection Representative - David Adams - 020 7228 0513 Diocesan
Child Protection Advisor - Claire Turney - 020 8668 1775 Diocesan
CRB Administrator - Linda Craven - 020 7939 9402 Policy adopted by St Barnabas’ Parochial Church Council 2005 |