Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy
St Briavels, Hewelfield and Brockweir Parish Churches welcome children at all times however we would expect that children under the age of 14 will be in the company of a parent or recognised guardian while at churches of St Briavels, Hewelfield and Brockweir is committed to the welfare of children and as part of that responsibility we will:
St Briavels, Hewelfield and Brockweir PCCs recognises that many young people today are the victims of neglect and physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Accordingly The PCC has adopted this policy to safeguard children and young people in the following areas:
For other policy concerning more general issues of safety and welfare see the Health and Safety policy.
We do consider the support of victims of abuse to be important and such victims will be referred to a social worker or their GP by the child protection officer.
Suspicions or reports of abuse from the past.
The PCC recognises that as a Church there may be an earlier history prior to attendance at the Church. We also recognise that dealing with such incidences will be beyond the knowledge and skill of any member of staff or Volunteer. In such an incident we would seek professional advice from an expert in that field.
See recruitment and Induction policy under separate cover. However, this includes the requirement of The PCC s that all staff and volunteer appointments are subject to references and CRB checks.
As a charity we undertake to follow the principles found within the Abuse of Trust guidance issued by the Home Office. It will therefore be unacceptable for those people in a position of trust to engage in any behaviour which might allow a sexual relationship to develop whilst the relationship of trust continues.
The PCCs have an appointed Child Protection officer. All Staff, Volunteers will know who the appointed person is.
The Child Protection Officer is responsible for co-ordinating our child protection policy and monitoring it is implementation in each project. They will be responsible for taking any necessary action where abuse is seen or alleged. If an allegation is made, or concerns are raised they should always be brought to the attention of the Child Protection Officer.
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to a child whom they are looking after.
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on a child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children.
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape and buggery) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failure to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
Organised or multiple abuse may be defined as abuse involving one or more abusers and a number of related or non-related abused children and young people. The abusers concerned may be acting in concert to abuse children, acting in isolation, or may be using an institutional framework or position of authority to recruit children for abuse.
Organised and multiple abuse occur both as part of a network of abuse across a family or community, and within institutions such as residential homes or schools.
(A child may suffer more than one category of abuse)
Those who work with children and young people have a responsibility to be aware and alert to signs that all is not well with a youngster. It is important to keep an open mind and consider carefully what is causing concern.
NB: physical abuse and neglect are difficult to hide. Sexual abuse can be almost impossible to identify and prove. Many symptoms of distress can point to abuse but there may be other explanations. It is important therefore, that the above signs are not taken as indications that abuse has taken place. They should be warnings, but not to jump to conclusions.
It is usually hard for a child or a young person to tell someone that they are being abused. So …..
A child or young person claiming that he/she has been abused
Another child or young person who is concerned
A member of the child’s family
A fellow worker of the suspect
Someone who believes he/she is the object of malicious or unfounded rumour
Your own concerns
If you feel abuse or inappropriate behaviour is suspected, inform the named Child Protection Officer who will log a child welfare concern with the Safeguarding Children Service and if appropriate take further action..
Responding to Allegations of Abuse by Staff or Volunteers at St Briavels Church
Allegations of this nature will be treated with the utmost seriousness.
Allegations against staff should be dealt with by the r assuming they are not implicated by the allegation, if the is implicated is must be dealt with by the
The allegation must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer on 01452 426994, who will keep a record and if necessary call a multi agency strategy meeting If the LADO is unavailable, a referral should be made to the Children & Families Helpdesk on 01452 426565. If there is immediate danger to the child it should be reported to the police on 0845 0901234/999
Any complaints of suspected or actual abuse towards a child or youngster being put at risk must be taken seriously and acted upon immediately. The child protection officer will be responsible for reporting any concerns to the Gloucestershire’s Children and Young People’s Directorate .
Finally it is important to remember that in any case of alleged child abuse doing nothing is not an option, consultation and investigation is always important.
Anti-bullying policy
Bullying is not easy to define, taking many forms and is usually repeated over a period of time. The three main types of bullying are: physical (e.g. hitting, kicking), verbal(e.g. name calling, racist remarks, threats) and emotional (e.g. isolating a child). They will include:
it may also include:
The church will endeavour to take bullying seriously and investigate any incidents that take place on the premises.
If such an incident is reported the Child Protection Officer who will talk to all parties separately. They will decide on the appropriate action which may include:
Safeguarding Officers
St Briavels: Meurig Greening (Church Warden), Valley View, St Anne’s Way, St Briavels, 01594 530421 mg@btinternet.com
Hewelsfield and Brockweir Pauline SIDDONS Law Hill, Hewelsfield GL15 6UT
https:www.gloucester.anglican.org/about-us/safeguarding