CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
ST BONIFACE CHURCH
QUINTON ROAD WEST
QUINTON
BIRMINGHAM
B32 2QD
March 2017
The first version of this policy was adopted by the PCC of St Boniface Church on the 15 December 2011.
This version was revised and approved by the PCC on the 9th March 2017
It shall be reviewed annually by the PCC, or earlier if changes to legislation, guidance or process makes this necessary.
A copy of this policy will be made available to all workers involved in children’s work and a copy will be publicly displayed at St Boniface Church.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Heading Page
Introduction 4
Aims and Purpose 5
Definitions 7
What is Abuse 8
Sharing Concerns 11
Working with Children 15
Safe Recruitment 18
Staffing Ratios 21
Taking Children offsite 22
Pro-formas 24
Contact details 29
INTRODUCTION:
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these[1]’
St Boniface Church is called by God to make disciples and to be active in the spiritual, social and physical regeneration of Quinton.
Our Key Values are
· God at the Centre
· Every Member in Ministry
· Every Member Growing
· Every Member reaching out in Love
· A Community of Love and Honesty
· A Community seeking to reflect God’s heart for the vulnerable
We want all children who are involved in any of the activities at St Boniface to be part of this vision, exploring and developing their understanding of the Christian faith and their relationship with Jesus in ways that are relevant, accessible and creative, in a safe environment. At St Boniface, we are privileged to have so many children who take part in a variety of activities either led by the church or using the church premises with our approval. We are grateful to those who work with our children, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.
The PCC of St Boniface Church is keen to ensure that we continue to provide a safe environment for our children and support those who work with them. This policy sets out the principles that we will follow in activities led by our church, and offers some guidelines on how to deal with specific situations.
We expect that those who use our premises for their own children related activities to implement their own policies and procedures.
The PCC will have ownership of this policy and will review it on an annual basis. The Vicar and Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator will ensure that any new guidance from the Diocese will be reflected in this policy and will ensure that those involved in children work are aware of this policy and receive training on child protection issues. Whilst this policy sets out the process to be followed at St Boniface, we recognise that not every situation will necessarily be covered in this policy. Where a concern arises that is not covered in this policy, then we will have regard to the guidance given by the Diocese of Birmingham which will determine what, if any, action is taken.
Aims and purpose:
The aim of this policy is to identify and outline the issues and principles of safeguarding children at St Boniface Church. It is based on the work done at a national level as set out in the House of Bishop’s document ‘Protecting All God’s Children – The Policy for Safeguarding Children in the Church of England’ (4ed 2010), the work done by the Birmingham Diocese as set out in ‘God’s Children: Our Diocese (2011), and the document Safer Recruitment & DBS Application Procedures (2015). We will always refer to these over-arching documents copies of which are available in the church office.
The PCC adopts the principles set out by the House of Bishops. We are committed to:
· The care, nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all
children and all adults
· The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people
and adults when they are vulnerable
· The establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a
loving environment where there is a culture of ‘informed
vigilance’ as to the dangers of abuse.
We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the
Church, in line with safer recruitment principles, including the use of
criminal records disclosures (Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks).
We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that
a child or young person may have been harmed, co-operating with
the police and local authority in any investigation.
We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with
him or her an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a
position of trust.
We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and
referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community
known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
We have learned from each other and especially from those who have had
thorough scrutiny of practice and procedures. The following key values
or approaches are regarded as important underpinning our
safeguarding practice:
· the child’s welfare is paramount;
· prevention is vital;
· transparency of process is necessary;
· accountability of the entire church is necessary;
· partnership with statutory authorities is essential;
· use of independent specialist advice where appropriate will support our decisions;
· the active management of risk is necessary;
· a culture of informed vigilance by all is a must.
Definitions:
A child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached his/her 18th birthday.
‘Children’ therefore means ‘children and young people’ throughout
this document. Notwithstanding this, in direct work, the term ‘young people’ will be used to refer to children over the age of eleven.
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010 states:
‘The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living independently or is in further education, is a member of the armed forces, is in hospital, in prison or in a Young Offenders’ Institution, does not change his or her status or entitlement to services or protection under the Children Act 1989, Working Together, 1.19.
Safeguarding covers vetting and safer recruitment, safer working practices, responding to concerns, working with partner agencies, dealing with allegations against those responsible for children and other matters that may be relevant.
Child protection is used for responding to concerns where it appears that a child may have been harmed.
Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator (PSC)
The PSC will be responsible for all the duties set out in the Diocesan document ‘God’s Children: Our Diocese, and in particular is responsible for –
· the cascading of information in respect of Diocesan policy
developments, local parish policy developments and training opportunities for children’s workers and youth workers regarding child protection and safe practice.
· To provide support and/or advice to the incumbent and to all children’s workers and youth workers in respect of the following:
o Concerns about the welfare of specific children or young people within the parish;
o Concerns about the behaviour of specific adults within the parish.
The details of the current PSC is listed on the attached contact sheet.
Child Advocate
In line with the motion passed at Diocesan Synod in March 2004, we will appoint a Children’s Advocate on the PCC as someone who can be a voice and speak on behalf of the children at St Boniface. The person will represent the children’s views and needs with regard to ministry, mission, worship and their pastoral care, which might include being someone to whom children or young people feel they can go to with concerns or even to disclose abuse.
The details of the current Child Advocate is listed on the attached contact sheet.
Bishop’s Safeguarding Adviser
For each Diocese there will be a representative appointed to take steps to ensure that good practice to protect children is observed throughout his diocese, and to advise the Bishop on procedures to be followed when allegations of child abuse arise.
Church Of England Birmingham’s Safeguarding Training and Development Officer
This officer supports clergy and lay leaders (including both paid and volunteer workers in parishes and communities) in the safe delivery of children’s/youth ministry. He/she provides training and is the first point of contact if there are queries regarding safeguarding procedures.
Definitions and indicators surrounding abuse
What is abuse?
It is the responsibility of everyone in a church community to take action if they have a concern about a child. Some church members, eg children’s leaders, youth leaders, growth group leaders will have direct contact with children so it is more likely that concerns will come to their attention. However this does not remove the responsibility from the rest of the congregation.
Child abuse has many forms.
Physical Abuse: This may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, burning, poisoning, drowning, scalding or otherwise causing physical harm to a child, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.
Emotional Abuse: This may involve telling a child that he is worthless, inadequate, unloved or making fun of a child. It may also involve serious bullying (including cyber-bullying) causing a child to feel frightened or in danger.
Sexual abuse: This involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. It may also include child grooming, that is, the befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child and sometimes the family, to lower the child’s inhibitions for child sexual abuse. It lures minors into trafficking of children, illicit businesses such as child prostitution, or the production of child pornography. (This is commonly referred to as Child Sexual Exploitation, CSE)
Neglect: This is the persistent failure to meet a child’s physical or psychological needs likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Examples of neglect include:
· failing to provide adequate food, clothing and shelter
· failing to protect from physical and emotional harm
· failing to ensure that adequate supervision
· failing to ensure access to appropriate medical care
Domestic Abuse/Violence: any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (Psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.
Who abuses children?
a) Very rarely a stranger
b) often someone close to a child (eg parent, carer, babysitter, relative or friend of the family)
c) sometimes, someone in authority
d) sometimes, paedophiles and others who set out to join organisations (including churches) to get access to children
How might we recognise abuse?
Warning signs (These are only examples offered as a guide)
· Changes or regression in mood or behaviour (particularly where a child becomes withdrawn or clingy)
· Nervousness
· Sudden under-achievement or lack of concentration
· Changed or inappropriate relationship with peers and/or adults
· Attention seeking behaviour
· Persistent tiredness
· Running away/stealing/lying
Other areas where leaders should be vigilant are:
· Any injuries not consistent with explanation given for them or where different explanations have been given
· Injuries which occur on the body in places which are not normally exposed to falls, rough games, etc
· Injuries and illnesses which have not received medical attention
· Instances where a child is kept away from the group inappropriately
· reluctance to change for or participate in games or swimming
· any signs of neglect, under nourishment or inadequate care
· any allegations made by a child about sexual abuse
· child with excessive pre-occupation with sexual matters
· sexual activity through play, words or drawing
· child who is sexually provocative or seductive with adults
· an adult may give clues about major worries in a family but having difficulty being explicit
· an adult may present a scenario of ‘another person’ who needs help
· a parent/carer may be seen losing his/her temper with the child violently
· a parent is known to misuse alcohol or drugs
· a mother who shows signs of physical abuse
In addition, there are five signs of which to be aware regarding FGM. These are
1.The family belongs to a community which practices FGM
2. The family are making plans to go on holiday / requested extended leave from school
3. The child talks about a forthcoming special celebration
4. The child / woman may have difficulty walking or sitting
5. Their own mother or other siblings have had FGM
If a worker has a particular concern about FGM, then the Parish Safeguarding Coordinator must be notified. They will decide on any further action.
Many symptoms of distress in a child can point to abuse, but there may be other explanations. This (together with conflicting medical opinion) has sometimes been the reason for falsely accusing individuals of abuse. It is important that the above signs are not taken as indicating that abuse has definitely taken place, but that possibility should be considered. They should make us stop and think- not jump to conclusions!
Sharing Concerns:
Where there are suspicions of abuse and/or where an allegation of abuse has been made, the individual to whom the disclosure was made should share these concerns with, and seek guidance from the Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator or the Vicar. They will in turn decide whether to involve other individuals such as social services and the Bishop’s Safeguarding Adviser.
Very rarely, immediate steps will need to be taken to protect a child such as seeking medical attention or contacting social services, eg where a child is refusing to return home. In these cases attempts should be made to contact the Vicar and/or the Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator where possible, but action should not be delayed where this would result in significant harm to the child.
If a child or friend of the child tells that abuse has taken place, this must be taken seriously. Having reassured the child that they have been right to tell you, you should immediately record the exact details of this conversation - what the child said - what you said. Whilst it is not always possible or appropriate to record what a child is saying as they are talking, a written record of the conversation should be made as soon possible after the conversation has finished. If it is necessary to make initial notes on a piece of rough paper, then these should be retained along with the formal written record completed at a later time. A recording pro-forma is attached. When recording allegations made by a child or young person the following advice should be followed: