The Parish of St. Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow recognises the importance of its ministry to children and young people and its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people entrusted to the church's care.

This Policy is for the Ministry Team, PCC members and all groups for, or including, children and young people.  These include: Children's Church; Pram Service; Youth Group; Holiday Club; Choir; and Bellringers.

Mission Statement

As part of its mission the Church is committed to:

• Valuing, listening to and respecting children and young people as well as promoting their welfare and protection;
• Safe recruitment, supervision and training for all the children's/youth workers within the church;
• Adopting a procedure for dealing with concerns about possible abuse;
• Encouraging and supporting parents/carers;
• Supporting those affected by abuse;
• Giving pastoral support to those who have abused;
• Making links with statutory childcare authorities and other organisations if and when required.

Church Policy

The Parish of St. Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow recognises the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children andyoung people.  It also acknowledges that children and young people can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. The Parochial Church Council has therefore adopted the procedures set out in this Policy with reference to the Diocese of Chelmsford Diocesan Child Protection Policy (2006).

NominatedPerson

A nominated person for Child Protection Issues will be appointed annually by the PCC.  The role of the nominated person will be as set out in Section 7.4 of the Diocesan Child Protection Policy.

Appointment, Support and Training

This Parish is committed to safe recruitment procedures and on-going child protection training for all children's and youthworkers.  This Parish will follow the guidelines in the Diocesan Child Protection Policy when recruiting new volunteers or employees to work with children and young people. (Section 9 - Safe Recruiting and Section 11 - CRB Checklist).

Each person working with children or young people under the age of 18 is expected to complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) application form and a Confidential Disclosure Form and to supply the names of two referees.  References will be taken up by the nominated person. Clearance from the CRB is required before the individual can begin working with children/young people.  Re-checking for CRB clearance will take place when advised by the Diocesan Child Protection Adviser.  Portable CRB clearance is no longer acceptable.

Each person working with children / young people must attend a child protection training course at least once every 2years.

Every adult working with children on behalf of this parish will be provided with a copy of this policy.

Children's Activities

Any planned activities whether on or off church premises must follow the good practice and health and safety guidelines contained in the Diocesan Child Protection Policy (Sections 4 and 8). 

There must be at least two, and ideally three adult staff present at each session of any group or activity for children or young people. The adult/child ratios recommended in the Diocesan Child Protection Policy must be observed for activities involving children under the age of 8 (see table below).  Anyone under the age of 18 years cannot be counted in the ratio as a helper and should never be left in charge of a group of children. 

Registers should be kept for all groups and activities. These should include emergency contact details for parents / carers and should be stored securely.

For special events and activities (e.g.outings, fun days) parental permission must be given in written form, a risk assessment should be carried out, and approval sought from the PCC in advance.

Other Groups using Church premises

All regular parish users of church premises for activities involving children and young people will be provided with a copy of the Parish Child Protection Policy and will be expected to comply with this.

Copies of the Parish Child Protection Policy will be given to all non-church hirers and users of our church premises to show the standards of care that we expect of all users of our facilities.  The hirers and user-groups will be expected to adhere to a similar standard of care for the children attending their sessions.

Responding to allegations of abuse

Under no circumstances should a church worker carry out their own investigation into any allegations or suspicion of abuse.  The person in receipt of the information should observe the following procedure:

• Write down what you have been told or seen as quickly as possible after the incident. Sign and date. Do not add your thoughts or feelings. This record must be factual and as accurate as possible. Use the words expressed by the individual.
• Inform the nominated person as soon as possible. If this person is not available, speak to your incumbent (providing the allegation is not against them or a church warden) or the Diocesan Child Protection Adviser.
• If an allegation is made against anyone in the church (including the Incumbent) do not speak to this person about the allegation.
• Suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than the nominated person, incumbent, church warden, or Diocesan Child Protection Adviser.
• If a referral needs to be made to Social Services, do not delay if the nominated person is not available.
• Do not question the child/young person to enable you to obtain more information.
• Notify the Diocesan Child Protection Adviser as soon as possible after the incident and when a referral is made to Social Services or Police.

If and when required, the nominated person, with support from the PCC, will work with the statutory agencies and other organisations.  The role of the nominated person is to collate and clarify the precise details of any allegation or suspicion and pass this information to Social Services and the Diocesan Child Protection Adviser.  It is Social Services' task to investigate the matter under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989.  Guidance on taking action is found in Section 3 of the Diocesan Child Protection Policy.

Support for those who have been abused

Pastoral care, working with statutory agencies as appropriate, should be offered to these individuals.  If it is not possible to offer this support the Diocesan Child Protection Adviser must be informed to establish pastoral support from another source.

Working with Offenders

Where a known offender is in the Parish, a written agreement must be in place outlining what this person is able to take part in and what is not suitable for them to take part in. The incumbent, a churchwarden, the nominated person and the Diocesan Child Protection Adviser will be required to monitor this situation. There will be regular meetings with the individual to establish that the agreement is being adhered to.

Further help andinformation

Copies of the Diocesan Child Protection Policy are held by the Vicar, the Churchwarden and the nominated person.

The Nominated Person is:         Miss Jo Wood              Tel:01371 878219

The Vicar is:                             Canon David Ainge      Tel: 01371 872504

The Churchwarden is:  Mr.Sydney Smith                     Tel:  01371874266

The Diocesan Child Protection Advisor is: Revd Jean Halliday, Diocesan Office, 53 New Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1AT Tel: 01245294457 Mobile:  07903 831 965

Other useful contacts are:

Mr. Steve Kersys  (Diocesan Children's Work Advisor), Diocesan Office, 53 New Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1AT Tel: 01245 294448

Post currently vacant  (Colchester Area Youth Officer)

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000

This Parish Child Protection Policy was endorsed by the PCC on 15^th September 2008 and will be reviewed annually.