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Pelsall Evangelical Church Child Protection Policy
Pelsall Evangelical Church is committed to:
- Valuing and respecting all children and young people, and promoting their welfare and well being. (The definition of children and young people assumed by this policy is persons eighteen years old or younger).
- Providing a safe and caring environment for children and young people who participate in church activities.
- Ensuring that staff and volunteers who work with children and young people in this church are suitable for their role, adequately trained, and committed to the principles and practice outlined in this document.
- Responding appropriately to any allegations or suspicions that arise.
- Complying with the guidelines set out in the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS)/Metropolitan Police document “Safe and Secure” (available upon request from staff or volunteers)
Church Policy
1. Recruitment process:
- Individuals volunteering to assist with children and young people’s activities in this church are required to submit an application.
- Following application the individual is interviewed by a panel of church members to assess their suitability for the role.
- As part of the application process the individual submits to a check by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to determine whether any past activity disqualifies them from the role which they are volunteering for.
- Where possible a reference is sought from a previous church or organization where the applicant has been involved in similar work.
2. Training:
- After they have been accepted, volunteers are advised of the responsibilities of the work and receive training appropriate for the role they will perform.
- Staff and volunteers are required to receive training on a regular ongoing basis to ensure their continued ability to fulfill their role.
3. Standard Procedures:
- No individual child will be left alone with an individual staff member or volunteer without parental consent. This applies while children are participating in organized church activities (whether on or off church premises), and includes the event of the child being given a lift home by staff or volunteers.
- Any organized activities off church premises will require prior parental consent.
- Parents who allow their children to play on church premises outside the publicized times of organized church activities are considered to be responsible for their children’s safety.
4. Procedure in the case of allegations or suspicions of child abuse or inappropriate behaviour:
- Any person who is aware of allegations or suspicions of child abuse or inappropriate behaviour should contact the Child Protection Co-ordinator or Deputy Co-ordinator.
- See the full policy document for details of procedures (available upon request from staff or volunteers).
5. Review of this policy:
- This policy is reviewed once each calendar year.
This church has appointed a Child Protection Co-ordinator, Mr Maurice Grimmett,
and a Deputy Co-ordinator, Mr Richard Peach, responsible for the implementation of this policy.
This policy was adopted on, 01.05.07.
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