This Policy is based upon the Baptist Union “Safe to Grow” policy
document
River of Life Church, Worthing
Policy
statement on children, young people and the church
June
2003
This
statement was agreed at the Elders meeting on 24th June 2003
· As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all, especially children and young people.
· It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect of children and young people, and to report any abuse and neglect discovered or suspected.
· We recognise that our work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church.
· The church is committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who work with children and young people, and to providing supervision.
· The church is committed to following agreed procedures and Good Practice guidelines in its children’s and young people’s ministry.
· Each worker with children and young people shall be given a copy of the church’s agreed procedures and Good Practice guidelines and undertake to observe them.
Children and young people are part
of (or belong to) our church
today. They have much to give as
well as to receive. We will
listen to them. As we nurture them in
worship, learning, and in
community life, we will respect the
wishes and feelings of children
and young people.
The
church and all its appointed children’s and youth workers are committed to the
protection of children from physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect.
·
Sexual
where adults (and sometimes other children) use
children to satisfy sexual desires.
·
Neglect
where adults fail to care for children and
protect them from danger, seriously impairing health and development.
The
following may indicate abuse, but do not jump to
conclusions. There could be other explanations.
Physical
unexplained
or hidden injuries, lack of medical attention
Emotional
reverting
to younger behaviour, nervousness, sudden underachievement, attention seeking,
running away, stealing, lying.
Sexual
pre-occupation
with sexual matters evident in words, play, drawings; being sexually
provocative with adults; disturbed sleep, nightmares, bedwetting; secretive
relationships with adults or children; tummy pains with no apparent cause.
Neglect
looking
ill-cared for and unhappy, being withdrawn or aggressive, having lingering
injuries or health problems.
·
Do not
delay.
·
Do not
act alone.
·
Do not
start to investigate.
·
Consult
other leaders with whom you work, and contact the Link person.
· As far as possible a worker is not alone with a child where their activity cannot be seen.
· On church premises, this may mean leaving doors open, or two groups working in the same room.
· In a counselling situation with a young person, where privacy and confidentiality are important, try to make sure that another adult knows the interview is taking place and with whom. If possible, another adult should be in the building, and the young person should know they are there.
Ensure
that access to the building is safe and well-lit.
· Treat all children and young people with respect and dignity befitting their age; watch language, tone of voice, and where you put your body.
· Not engage in any of the following:
Ø
invading
the privacy of children when they are showering or toiletting;
Ø rough or sexually provocative games;
Ø making sexually suggestive comments about or to a young person, even in ‘fun’;
Ø inappropriate and intrusive touching of any form;
Ø
any
scapegoating, ridiculing, or rejecting a child or young person.
· Learn to control and discipline children without using physical punishment.
· Make sure another adult is present if, for example, a young child has soiled their underclothes and needs to be thoroughly washed.
· Not let youngsters involve you in excessive attention seeking that is overtly sexual or physical in nature.
· Not invite a child or young person to your home alone; invite a group, or ensure that someone else is in the house. Make sure the parents know where the child is.
· Not give lifts to children or young people on their own, other than for short journeys. If they are alone, it may be appropriate to ask them to sit in the rear of the car.
· Wherever possible, not share sleeping accommodation with children or young people if you take a group away. For each event, sleeping arrangements will be considered on an individual basis and notified to parents.
If you
see another member of staff acting in ways which might be misconstrued, be
prepared to speak to them or a Team Leader about your concerns. Leaders should
encourage an atmosphere of mutual support and care which allows all workers to
be comfortable enough to discuss inappropriate attitudes or behaviour.
Why
tell me?
If
a child chooses to tell you that they have been abused they have chosen you
because they trust you and they think you will know what to do. One of their
major reasons for deciding to tell you at this point is that they want the
abuse to stop. They think that you will be able to hear what they have to tell
you without being shocked and believe that you will be able to help. All too
often children’s attempts to tell of their abuse are thwarted by adults who
dismiss what they are saying without listening properly or those who do not
believe them. So, if a child chooses you they have done so for a reason.
Listen carefully to what the child tells you without
prompting or using any leading questions such as ‘Did he say ...‘, ‘Were you
at her house?’ If you have to ask any questions use open questions such as:
where, when, who, what? But only as much as will clarify the general picture
for you to understand that the child believes s/he has been abused. Do not
interrupt the child and do not ask for additional detail.
Remember the child’s own words and make
notes during the meeting or at the first opportunity of what the child has told
you using the child’s words. Try to remember as much of the detail as possible,
so that you can pass it on appropriately. Date and sign any notes you have, and
keep a copy securely.
Do
not pass judgment
on what the child has told you. Remember that children who are abused are often
abused by someone they trust and love. Try not to sound or look shocked by what
the child is telling you, however awful it may sound to you, as this may stop
the child from telling any more.
Reassure
the child and discuss with him/her what will happen
next. Say that you will need to inform someone else and that someone trained in
listening to, and helping, children who have been abused will need to see
him/her to hear more about what has happened. Children often feel responsible
for what has happened. Explain that it is the adult who is responsible and the
child has done the right thing to tell you.
Inform
the ‘link’ person immediately. It is important that child abuse is investigated where appropriate
without delay and that the proper authorities are informed. If you have no
‘link’ person available, inform the social services or the police in your
locality immediately. Do not contact the person alleged by the child to have
abused them.
The
social services will ask you what the child has told you and will need
information about the child’s family, address and age etc. It is important that
you give as much information as possible as this will assist them
in any possible investigation. if you have made some notes let them have them.
(Keep copies.)
-2-
Seek support from your ‘link’ person and/or minister. It is always distressing to hear of child abuse for perhaps the first time. It is important that you do not keep
this to yourself. You will need support
and comfort yourself and reassurance. Do not
share this information beyond those who need to know and respect that confidentiality for the sake of the child and his/her family.
Support the child as much as you can through
what may be a difficult and disruptive time in their life. Your care and prayers will be valuable for the
child and his/her family.
In
Summary
· Look at the child directly.
· Try not to appear or sound shocked at what the child tells you.
· Accept what the child says.
· Be aware that the child may have been threatened.
· Do not pass judgment.
· Tell the child that they are not to blame.
· Do not press for information.
· Reassure the child that they are right to tell and you take the matter seriously.
· Let them know what you are going to do next, who you are going to tell and why, and loosely what will happen.
· Finish on a positive note.
· Make hand-written notes as the child is talking, or if this is not possible, as soon as possible afterwards make notes of exactly what the child said and the date and time.
What will happen next?
The
process of professional involvement in cases of child sexual abuse will usually
follow this course:
1. A strategy discussion involving Social
Services, Police Child
Protection team, other significant professionals and the person suspecting
abuse or to whom the child has talked.
2. A
decision will be taken as to whether an investigation is warranted: if so it
will then be planned.
3. The
investigation may include:
q an informal talk with the child
q a formal police (+/-
Social Services) video recorded interview following
disclosure
q medical examination
q preliminary family assessment.
4. If there is sufficient concern, a
child protection conference will be
held to decide the best
course of action to protect the child and help the family. There may be criminal prosecution
of the abuser.
River of Life
Church, Worthing
CHILDREN’S & YOUNG PEOPLE’S MINISTRY
Name of worker
__________________________________________________________
We welcome you as a leader with ___________________________________________
You are joining a team which, together with the whole church, commits itself to the care and nurture of children and young people.
On behalf
of the members of this church, we undertake to support you and your work, by prayer, by our
interest, and by providing resources and training.
As
members of a team, we seek to give each other mutual encouragement and support.
Any
concerns you may have should be shared
with other members of the team or, as appropriate, with the Elders.
The responsibilities of your job should have been made clear to you
by the Elders/Children and Youth Team.
Working with children and young people is a
responsibility but it also brings great rewards. We hope you will enjoy your
work.
Signed ______________________________________________
Pastor
Signed Youth/Childrens
Worker
Date _________________________
One copy
of this form should be retained by the worker and one by the Elders. If the job
description changes, a new form must be completed.
Reverse of Form
Declaration
To be completed
by the worker (name) ____________________________________
I understand the
nature of the work I am to do with
__________________________________________________________________
(Fill in the name and age range of the group.)
I have read the church’s guidelines for
safeguarding children. I understand that it is my duty to protect the children
and young people with whom I come into contact. I know what action to take if
abuse if discovered or disclosed.
Signed Date
.
River of Life Church,
Worthing
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
June 2003