The Parish of Fawley

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This page was updated on: Tuesday, 12-Apr-2011 11:30:29 BST

Safeguarding Policy

Introduction
Church Details

All Saints’

St Francis’

The Good Shepherd

St George’s

Name of the Church (hereafter, “The Church”)

Location:

THE PARISH OF FAWLEY

Any other details Four different Churches – Four Addresses.

Church Statement.
The Church has a growing children’s and young people’s ministry.

The Parochial Church Council (the “PCC”) takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people entrusted to the Church’s care.

Church Mission.
As part of the mission, the PCC is committed to:

Listening to, relating effectively and valuing children and young people whilst ensuring their protection within church activities.
Encouraging and supporting parents/carers.
Ensuring that children’s/youth workers are given support and training.
Having a system for dealing with concerns about possible abuse.
Maintaining good links with statutory Child Care Authorities.

To ensure these are achieved the PCC has appointed: Sarah Manhood as the Parish’s Child Protection Co-ordinator.

Areas of Policy.
The PCC recognises that many children and young people today are the victims of neglect, and physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Accordingly, the PCC has adopted the policy contained in this document, (hereafter the “policy”).

The policy sets out agreed

Guidelines relating to the following areas:

Responding to allegations of abuse, including those made against leaders or members of the Church.
Appointing children’s/youth workers.
Supervision of activities and practise issues.
Helping the victims of abuse.
Working with offenders.

Definitions of Abuse.
Abuse fall into FOUR main headings, there is in some cases more than one form of abuse present. There is an overlap of categories in some cases.

(1) Physical Injury

(2) Sexual Abuse

(3) Neglect
(4) Emotional Abuse

An additional category has been proposed by the Department of Health - February 1998.

(5) Organised Abuse

This is Sexual Abuse where there is more than one abuser, and they appear to act in concert to abuse children.

Recognising and Responding to Abuse.
It is imperative we do not say that every situation is child abuse.

There are key signs that we should note and explore in each situation.

Physical Abuse:

Injuries that do not correspond to what is being told
Injuries occurring to the body not normally associated with rough and tumble games etc...
Neglect – under nourished, failure to grow, constant hunger, stealing, gorging food, inadequate care, etc...
Injuries that have not received medical attention
Reluctance to participate in games/swimming, which involves changing
Bruises, bites, burns, fractures etc which do not have a valid explanation

Possible Sexual Abuse:

Any allegations made by the child about sexual abuse
Child with excessive knowledge of sexual matters/adult sexual behaviour or who regularly engages in age-inappropriate sexual play
Sexual activity through words, play or drawing
Inappropriate bed-sharing

Emotional Abuse:

A child becomes clinging/withdrawn, extreme anxiety depression/aggression
Nervousness
Obsessions or phobias
Attention-seeking behaviour
Running away/stealing/lying
Persistent tiredness

What to do should suspect Abuse has Occurred.

Please report as soon as possible to Sarah Manhood (Parish Safeguarding Officer) or Priest-in-charge who will than take the appropriate and necessary course of action

Suspicions will not be discussed with anyone other than the above named

It is, of course the right of any individual to make direct referrals to the appropriate child protection agencies or seek advice from them

Working with offenders

Where someone attending the church is known to have abused children, then whilst extending friendship to the individual, the PCC in its commitment to the protection of all children will meet with the individual and discuss boundaries that the person will be expected to keep

If thought necessary and felt to be required a contract would be drawn up for the individual concerned.

Appointment / Supervision of workers
All workers (including Volunteers) are regularly checked through The Criminal Records Beauru and position reviewed, regularly. Each worker has a rigorous and detailed Check every 5 years.

Supervision of Children’s / Youth activities
All church organised activities are supervised and run by adults who have been cleared and approved by the C.R.B, along with the consent of the PCC.

The areas that are considered include the ratio of adults to children in respect of what indoor/outdoor activity/outing or event

The recommended ratios required are: