CHILD PROTECTION

CHILD PROTECTION

Parish Responsibilities in Working with Children

Each parish (or benefice or mission community) should accept the prime duty of care placed upon the incumbent and the parochial church council to ensure the well being of children in their care. In order to meet this responsibility, the parish representatives should:

• Create a culture of ‘informed vigilance’ which takes children seriously.

• Ensure that appropriate health and safety policies and procedures are in place.

• Provide appropriate insurance cover for all activities undertaken in the name of the parish.

• Ensure that current Health and Safety requirements are met for all groups involving children. Child care providers e.g. pre-school and nursery groups or after-school clubs should take advice from the Diocesan Children’s Adviser about the regulations for their activity and the need to register the group with the Local Authority.

• Adopt and implement a child protection policy and procedures, ideally using the Diocese of Ely Policy which is based on the House of Bishops Policy. Consideration should also be given to local parish requirements.

• Appoint a child protection co-ordinator to work with the incumbent and the council to implement policy and procedures. The co-ordinator must ensure that any concerns about a child, or the behaviour of an adult, are appropriately reported both to the statutory agencies and to the Bishop’s Child Protection Adviser. The co-ordinator’s post is subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check.

• Where there is an established programme of children’s activities, it may be useful to appoint a person to be a children’s advocate, who may not be actively engaged in children’s work but who can offer an extra source of support for children who wish to talk over any problems.

• Ensure that appropriate pastoral care is available for those adults who have disclosed that they have been abused as children.

• Provide, as appropriate, support for parents and families in the congregation, being aware particularly of parents whose children have suffered abuse.

• Ensure that those who may pose a threat to children and young people are effectively managed and monitored. (See Section 2 of the Diocese of Ely Child Protection Procedures folder for further advice – every parish should have a hard copy of this).

• Display the “Childline” telephone number (0800 11 11) prominently on a notice-board that is accessible to children.

• Ensure that all those authorised to work with children and young people or in a position of authority are recruited according to up-to-date safe practice guidelines, and appropriately appointed, trained and supported while in post.

• Provide all authorised personnel with a copy of the parish child protection policy, procedures and good practice guidelines.

• Pay particular attention to children with special needs and those from ethnic minorities, to ensure their full integration within the church community.

• Review the implementation of the child protection policy, procedures and good practice annually.

Rural parishes or parishes held in plurality may wish to join together to implement the policy and procedures. It should be noted, however, that people working in isolated situations can be vulnerable and extra care should be taken to ensure that behavioural guidelines are followed.

Local ecumenical projects should agree which denomination’s child protection policy to follow and this decision should be ratified by the Bishop and other appropriate church leaders.

For further information please refer to the Diocese of Ely Child Protection Procedures folder www.ely.anglican.org/information/child_protection/

Each parish should hold at least one hard copy of this folder.  Additional copies can be printed from the website.

Should you have any concerns or queries regarding the above or information contained within the Child Protection Procedures folder please contact

• Mrs Yvonne Quirk, the Bishop’s Adviser for Child Protection 01223 276957 or
• Mrs Sarah King, Assistant Secretary to the Bishop of Ely and CRB and ISA Officer 01353 662749