OUR POLICY AND GUIDELINES ON CHILD PROTECTION

Issue 2 (2000)

CONTENTS

1. Policy Statement
2. Good Practice Guidelines for the prevention of abuse
3. Procedures if abuse is suspected or disclosed
4. Good Practice Guidelines on the appointment of Helpers and Leaders

1. POLICY STATEMENT ON CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE CHURCH

• It is the responsibility of each one to ensure that our children and young people are not abused in any way as they meet in their groups.

• The Church is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and providing supervision for those who work with children and young people.

• The Church is committed to taking up references and adequately assessing the suitability of helpers and leaders who apply to work with children and young people.

• The Church adopts the guidelines and procedures published by the Baptist Union of Great Britain in its booklet ^‘Safe to Grow’. These are based on The Home Office Code of Practice.

• Each worker with children and young people will be given a copy of the church guidelines and procedures and will undertake to observe them.

• As part of our commitment to children and young people the church has appointed Christine Parker to be their Advocate. Their role will be to offer consultancy and advice to leaders of children's and young people's work in matters of child welfare and protection. She is also available to advise on any specific problems, on behalf of a child, young person or leader.

2. GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR THE PREVENTION OF ABUSE

THE GUIDELINES APPLY TO GROUPS AT CHURCH, ON TRIPS AND HOLIDAYS.

Each child/young person should be treated with respect. He/she should not be ridiculed or spoken to in an inappropriate manner. Workers should take care where they put their body and not touch a child in any way which could be open to misinterpretation.

You, the worker:

• Should not invade the privacy of children/young people when they are washing or showering.

• Should not engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games with children/young people.

• Should not make sexually suggestive comments about or to a child/young person, even in 'fun'.

• Should not scapegoat, ridicule or reject a child/young person.

• Should not smack a child/young person. Alternative methods of discipline should be agreed by workers.

• Should not allow a child/young person to involve them in excessive attention seeking that is overtly sexual or physical in nature.

• Should not develop an exclusive relationship with a child/young person.

• In a counselling situation should make sure that another adult knows the interview is taking place and with whom. It would be advisable to be in a public rather than private place..

• Should not invite a child/young person to be alone with you in your home. Whether a visit is planned or unplanned you should make sure that the parent(s) know where he/she is.

• When transporting children/young people should use the back seat to its appropriate capacity before using the front seat. It is advisable that a lone child/young person should always sit in the back of the vehicle.

• Vehicles used for church work must be fully insured and driven with due care and attention by experienced drivers.
• Seat belts must be worn at all times
• The minibus should normally have at least one worker, apart from the driver when children/young people are being transported.

• Should never be alone in sleeping accommodation with a child/young person except briefly in exceptional and emergency circumstances (e.g. if a child/young person becomes suddenly ill) when no other worker is available. In such circumstances the door must be open and another adult should know that the situation has occurred as soon as possible.

• If one worker sees another one acting in any way which might be misconstrued he/she should speak to them and to an appropriate leader about their concerns. Agreed disciplinary measures should be available for when they are needed. Workers should encourage an atmosphere of mutual support and care which allows them to be comfortable enough to discuss inappropriate attitudes or behaviour. Regular workers' meetings and periodic review of the guidelines should enable this.

1. Physical - where children's/young peoples bodies are hurt/injured.
2. Sexual - where adults or other children/young people use children/young people to satisfy their sexual needs.
3. Neglect - where adults fail to care for children/young people to such a degree that their health and development are significantly impaired.
4. Emotional-where children/young people do not receive love and attention, are rejected, may be frightened by threats or taunts or are given responsibilities beyond their years.

• If you have concerns it is important to record your observations of the child/young person, their behaviour or what they or others have said which gives rise to your concerns.

• Do not question a child/young person in depth but indicate to them that you have noticed that they have, for example, a sore on their leg. Make some general remark that indicates to the child/young person that you are concerned for them as an individual. You could possibly say that if they need anything, to let you know.

• It is difficult to act on ‘suspicions’ unless there are frequent matters of real concern or injuries which have unsatisfactory explanations.

• Share your concerns with the Group Leader and discuss with the Children's Advocate whether the situation should be referred further.
• Pass on your notes, duly dated and signed, to the Children's Advocate.

• Thank them for sharing this with you.
• Reassure them that you will get help.
• Listen to the child/young person carefully.
• Do not question them.
• Do not make any suggestions to them or ask leading questions e.g. ‘X did it didn't he?’ ‘It was Y wasn't it?’
• Keep the child/young person safe if they are in immediate danger.
• Tell the child/young person that you must pass this information on to people who can help children/young people with such problems.

• Make notes as soon as possible giving details of what the child/young person said, what you said, how the child/young person looked, was feeling, what the child/young person wants, fears, what action you took, note any visible injuries (position, colour, size, shape).

• Tell your Group Leader and refer the matter to The Children's Advocate for advice as soon as possible. Provide them with your notes (signed and dated) and the child's/young person's name, address, date of birth and any other details known. They will refer the matter to The Social Services or discuss it with them. However if you cannot contact the Advocate you should not hesitate to speak to Social Services yourself.

• Do not delay - seek advice immediately.
• Do not act alone.
• Do not try to investigate.
• Tell your Group Leader or if not available the Children's Advocate.

4. GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES ON THE APPOINTMENT OF HELPERS AND LEADERS

• All paid staff and volunteers should have clear roles.

• Time should be taken to get to know people who are potential helpers or leaders, as soon as they come into the church.

• When an application is received for a position as helper/leader references should be asked for and taken up regarding character and previous work with children/young people.

• An interview before appointment should explore all the applicant's experience of working or contact with children/young people if this is deemed appropriate.

• A probationary period with a named person, as supervisor, should be expected of new helpers/leaders. This will depend on their past experience of children/young people's work.

• An annual review involving as many leaders and helpers as possible should take place to assess the need for further training, team building and general policies.

• The following forms and letters are available for use in putting into practice the above guidelines:

1. Volunteer Helper Form
1. Letter to referee
1. Reply Form for Referee
1. Volunteer Contract

WHEN A CHILD TELLS (I)

• DO listen to the child rather than directly questioning him or her

• DO make a note of the discussion, recording the timing, setting and those present as well as what was said

• DON’T stop a child who is freely recalling potentially significant events

• DO record all subsequent events up to the time of any formal interview with the child

WHEN A CHILD TELLS (2)

• "What you have told me is very important."

• "I want to help you. To do that I need to tell somebody whose job it is to talk to children like you about what has happened."

• "Thank you for telling me."

• "You are being very brave^."

• "I don't know" (better than false reassurances)

• "Did daddy (or Tom or Jane or...) do it?"

• "Mummy did it, didn't she?"

• "I don't believe you"

• "Are you sure ...you didn't fall?"

• "Daddy will get into a lot of trouble"

PROCESS OF INVESTIGATION

2. Referral to Social Services

3. Grounds to investigate further?

4. Information gathering

5. Strategic planning/protection

6. Investigation

• Risk
• Criminal

7. Assessment of risk

8. Child Protection Conference

• Registration
• Child Protection Plan
• Core group