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Peterhead Methodist Church
Safeguarding Children and Young People

Our church takes the safety of our children seriously. We drew up the following policy statement to help us ensure we had fully thought the whole issue of safeguarding your children whilst in our care. Please read it fully and consider whether it's appropriate to protect your children.

1. Policy Statement on safeguarding the welfare of children.

"We seek to safeguard all members of our Church community of all ages. It is the responsibility of each one of us to help prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children and young people."

This policy will be administered by a person/persons appointed by the Church Council.

2. Guidelines to minimise situations where the abuse of children might occur.

  1. The whole Church has a responsibility to be vigilant.
  2. No adult will be left alone with child or young person where they cannot be observed (doors should be left open).
  3. Ensure that youth workers, pastoral visitors and others on official Church business do not arrange to meet a young person off Church premises without a parent or other adult present.
  4. Always have at least 2 adults present with a group on or off Church premises. In exceptional circumstances e.g. you find your organisation understaffed on the night, please contact an approved youth worker from the list in the emergency folder, which is in the vestry. In the event of an emergency a Church Steward will be contacted to provide support. Phone numbers in the emergency folder.
  5. Side entrance to Church will be lit during hours of darkness.
  6. Side door will be locked during youth/junior church and any other youth meeting.
  7. During church worship if any children wish to use the toilet they should use the toilet in the hall, accompanied where necessary by a parent. If a child goes on their own and does not return after a reasonable period then the parent or two approved workers should check on them for the child's safety.
  8. Youth workers should use only the disabled toilet or the toilet at the front door of the church.
  9. During church worship adults should use the toilet in the foyer at the front door of the church.
  10. Any ADULT who requires making use of the back premises during a service should be aware that a Church Steward will accompany them.
  11. Badges will identify stewards and youth workers while on the Church premises. Youth workers awaiting approval will be issued with visitor badges until final approval is given. Visitor badges will be issued until full disclosure is obtained. Visitors are not allowed to lead sessions, supervise activities or take charge of small group.
  12. No under-18 year olds to be on the Church premises without adult supervision.
  13. A phone number will be prominently displayed where children and young people can talk with an independent person. (Childline 0800 1111)
  14. Children to be dropped off and collected at the beginning and end of meetings/activities by a parent or responsible adult. Outwith these arrangements parents will be responsible for their children.
  15. All youth workers will be made aware of how to deal with a situation where a child makes a disclosure regarding any form of abuse.
  16. The Alpha co-ordinator will inform hosts and leaders of any known safeguarding issues. After Church services and during social events parents need to know where their children are and that they are safe.

Approved Forms:

  • Anyone wishing to work with children and young people will be required to apply for and complete the CRBS DISCLOSURE SCOTLAND forms and necessary checks WILL be made.
  • All new workers (from June 2000) will require to provide 2 referees. This should not be the Minister.
  • Volunteers will serve a probationary period (normally 12 months).
  • Church Council will have the final responsibility for the appointment of youth workers.
  • Renewal training will take place every 5 years for approval to continue.

Transport and out of Church activities:

  • Where children/young people have to be transported by car/minibus, as far, as is possible there should be more than one passenger in the vehicle.
  • The last/only child should be placed in the back seat. In an emergency every effort will be made to get parental consent before transporting the child.
  • All youth trips will require parental consent. Parental consent forms will be issued to all organisations and stated guidelines will be adhered to.
  • Arrangements for such trips must be submitted and approved by the Safeguarding Administrator.
  • Emergency procedure folders will be distributed for all overnight trips.
  • Parental consent will be sought at the start of each session for ad hoc outings.

Photography and other media:

  • It is possible that youth/junior church members may appear in photographs or other media that will be used for publicity purposes (Church Magazine, Newsletter, Local Newspaper, Church Web site, etc).
  • Care must be taken to ensure that parental permission has been obtained before using these in whatever form. This will be done in the annual consent form.

PROCEDURE FOLLOWING ALLEGATION OR SUSPICION OF ABUSE.

All allegations/suspicions are to be referred immediately and directly to the person in charge. No investigation or questioning is to be undertaken. If the person in charge is implicated, refer direct to the Minister or Church Official. ALL allegations/suspicions are to be referred, no matter how insignificant they seem to be, or when they occur.

If a child discloses to you abuse by someone:

  1. Allow the child to speak without interruption, accept what is said, but DO NOT investigate.
  2. Alleviate feelings of guilt and isolation, while passing no judgement.
  3. Advise that you will try to offer support, but that you MUST pass the information on.
  4. The group leader is to report immediately to the Minister or appropriate Church Official (Phone numbers in the emergency folder).
  5. Write down notes, dates, times, facts, observations, verbatim speech, if possible, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the incident/disclosure has occurred.
  6. Check with the appropriate person within 24 hours to ensure action is taken.

Incidents of serious abuse are likely to be rare, but it is important that all leaders and helpers involved in the group conduct themselves at all times in ways which will not lead to their actions being misconstrued or misrepresented.

A code of good practice for adults working with young people.

YOU MUST:

  • Treat everyone with respect
  • Provide an example you wish others to follow
  • Plan activities which involve more than one person being present, or at least which are within sight or hearing of others
  • Respect a young person's right to personal privacy
  • Have separate sleeping accommodation for leaders and young people
  • Provide access for young people to talk to others about concerns they may have
  • Avoid physical horseplay such as wrestling or tickling etc
  • Remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well-intentioned
  • Recognise that special caution is required even in sensitive moments of counseling, such as when dealing with bullying, bereavement or abuse.

YOU MUST NOT:

  • Permit abusive youth peer activities(e.g. initiation ceremonies, ridicule, bullying)
  • Play physical contact games with young people
  • Have any inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others
  • Jump to conclusions about others without checking facts
  • Allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour such as tantrums or crushes
  • Exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues
  • Show favouritism to any individual
  • Make suggestive remarks or gestures
  • Rely on your good name to protect you
  • Believe 'it could never happen to me'.

Child Protection Awareness - when a child tells you about abuse.

General points

  • Look at them directly.
  • Try to keep your eye level with or lower than the child's.
  • Tell the truth.
  • Let them know you are going to tell someone more experienced.
  • Assume that the child has been threatened.
  • Try to find out what they are afraid of, so you will know how to help best.
  • Make notes as soon as possible; try to write down exactly what the child says.

Try to avoid saying

  • Why? How? When?
  • Are you sure?
  • Why didn't you say before?
  • I can't believe it.
  • Statements such as "this is really serious", "don't tell anyone", "I am shocked".
  • False promises

    • Helpful things to say

  • I believe you.
  • I am glad you told me.
  • I am sorry that it happened.
  • It is not your fault.
  • I care, and will help you.
  • You were right to tell, and it's ok to tell.
  • You were brave to tell.
  • The abuser was wrong. (It is better not to say bad).

    • To finish

  • Tell the child again that you believe them.
  • Let the child know what you are going to do next.
  • Praise the child for telling and surviving the abuse.
  • Always finish on a positive note.

See also the following permission forms

Peterhead Boys Brigade Peterhead Methodist Youth Council
Saveguarding our Children Saveguarding Permission Forms