The Child Protection policy of Belle Vue Baptist Church
Policy Statement on Children, Young People and the Church
This statement was agreed at the church meeting held on May 31st
2001.
The Diaconate will review the policy and monitor progress in
carrying it out annually in the September meeting.
The church is committed to operate on Christian values. As such we
commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of
all.
We recognise that our work with children and young people is the
responsibility of the whole church.
We recognise that children and young people are part of the church
and have much to give as well as to receive. We listen to them.
We are committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who
work with children and young people.
We accept that it is the responsibility of every adult in the
church to ensure that Belle Vue Baptist Church is a safe
environment, free from physical, sexual and emotional abuse of
children and young people, and to report any abuse discovered or
suspected following the church's Procedure if Abuse is Disclosed,
Discovered or Suspected.
As part of our commitment to children and young people the church
has appointed Jill Simmonds to be an Advocate. Their role will be as
an advisor to those working with children and young people and to
liaise with appropriate people and authorities where necessary.
Their role will be clearly explained to church.
Each person who works with children and young people, whether as
a leader or as a helper, must confirm their acceptance of the
church's policy as set out above, and agree to work within the Good
Practice Guidelines for work with Children and Young People set down
by the church. Each shall have copies of the church's Policy
Statement, Good Practice Guidelines and Procedure if Abuse is
Disclosed, Discovered or Suspected. Their acceptance will be
affirmed by signing the appropriate form. A list of all the approved
workers in the church is available for inspection and everyone on
the list will need to be reaffirmed at the church's Annual General
Meeting.
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Good Practice Guideline for Work with Children and Young People
These guidelines were agreed at the church meeting held on 28th
June 2001.
They are intended
- to protect children and young people by minimising
opportunities for abuse
- to protect leaders and helpers from false allegations of
abuse.
The guidelines
- Leaders and helpers must avoid being alone with a child or young
person where their activity cannot easily be observed. On church
premises, this may mean leaving doors open, or asking another adult
to remain nearby.
- Leaders and helpers must make sure another adult is present in
the same room if a child has soiled themselves and needs to be
cleaned.
- In a counselling situation with a young person, where privacy and
confidentiality are important, another adult must know the interview
is taking place and with whom. Another adult must be in the
building, must be able to easily observe the meeting and the young
person must know they are there.
- Groups should always have at least two adults present on the
premises to ensure that the group is never left unsupervised.
- When groups meet outside church premises, two adults must always
be available; this is especially important when a group meets in a
private house. A child or young person should not be invited alone
to a leader's or helper's home without the presence of another
adult.
- When providing transport for children and young people, leaders
and helpers should try to ensure that there is more than one
passenger in each vehicle. If this is not possible, the child or
young person should sit in the rear of the car.
- Children and young people should be treated with respect and dignity
befitting their age, and leaders and helpers should take care with
their language, tone of voice, how they use their bodies and how
they dress. Leaders should avoid rough games, physical control and
discipline, invasion of privacy, inappropriate touching, making
comments that could be regarded as suggestive (even if made in
"fun") and any scapegoating, ridiculing or rejecting a child or
young person.
- Leaders should not let youngsters involve them in excessive
attention seeking that is overtly sexual or physical in nature.
- An atmosphere of mutual support and care should be encouraged
among those working with children and young people, so that any
inappropriate practices can be discussed and amended.
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Procedure for Report of Suspected Abuse
Types of abuse
- Physical
- where children's bodies are hurt or injured.
- Emotional
- where children don't receive love and affection,
may be frightened by threats or taunts, or are given
responsibilities beyond their years.
- 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.
If abuse is disclosed or discovered:
- Do not delay.
- Do not act alone.
- Do not start to investigate.
- Consult with the appointed church Advocate. If the Advocate
is unavailable, or is involved in an allegation then the
minister or any of the deacons shall be consulted.
- If the child is in immediate danger, call the police.
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