Policy in connection with our work with children and youth
Polisi mewn cysylltiad â’n gwaith gyda phlant a phobl ifanc
We are a SAFE FROM HARM PARISH, and we operate within: Children Act 1989; All Wales Child Protection Procedures; Safe from Harm Document; (Summary of principles in Church in Wales Code of Good Practice Page 2); Church in Wales Code of Good Practice 2002;The Diocese of Llandaff
OUR OBLIGATIONS TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
As Jesus behaved towards children in his time, we too will respect children as persons in their own right and give them especial protection because of their vulnerability.
We will constantly pray for our work with children & young people, with the highest standard of care.
We will act responsibly and with integrity towards children and young people by not taking advantage of those in our care.
We will not exploit our relationship of trust for the purposes of self-gratification.
PARISH GUIDELINES FOR GOOD PRACTICE
We will treat all allegations of abuse or risk of abuse, whether physical, sexual, emotional or neglect seriously
As a rule, there will always be more than one adult with one or more children or young persons whether on or off site. However, when “1 to 1 situations” are unavoidable, the leader will ensure that another adult is aware of the meeting.
We will observe the following ratios of adults to children:
0-2 years 1 adult to every 3 children
2-3 years 1 adult to every 4 children
3-7 years I adult to every 8 children
7-11 years 1 adult to every 10 children
over 11 years 1 adult to every 15 children
When transporting one or more children in a car or minibus we will try and arrange to have a second adult in the vehicle or when this is not possible, for adults in different vehicles to travel in convoy and keep in contact via mobile phones.
We will not arrange meetings with children or young people off church premises except in the presence/ agreement of a parent or other adult.
We will not smack or shake any child or young person in our care.
We will avoid touching children or young persons in an inappropriate manner.
Casual or occasional visitors will not have access to a child or group activities without an adult who is authorized as being responsible for the child or group.
ADMINISTRATION AND BUILDINGS
All personsworking directly with children, will complete a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure and the diocese’s CCP1 form. They will have been approved through the Parish’s Child Protection Procedure.
We will ensure adequate insurance for both on and off site activities.
When transporting children in vehicles we will ensure that the vehicle is adequately insured and that the parish is adhering to current DVLC mini bus regulations.
Children’s names, addresses and telephone numbers will be recorded and kept in a safe place. Parental consent forms will be completed for regular meetings and for outings; a copy of the details will be kept in the parish office when outings take place.
Buildings will be checked for safety by adult leaders and fire drill procedures will be practiced.
First Aid equipment is available in every church building: the Vestry or Kitchen
All accidents need to be reported to the Vicar, noted and passed to him for the accident/incident file
Please note the nearest public telephone and ensure that your mobile phone works
If there is an incident that is causing concern, speak first to the diocesan child protection officer or Neath Port Talbot co-ordinator.
Vicar: Peter Lewis, 99a Neath Rd, Resolven SA11 4AN 01639 711262
Parish Child Protection Officer: Lynne Powell 01639 720307
Police: 01639 635321 (ask for duty social worker); Glynneath substation: 01639 720279
Diocesan Child Protection Officer: Sally Davies 029 20755418 or 029 20757190
Child Protection Co-ordinator Neath Port Talbot: Barbara Street: 01639 763357
South West office of Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales: 01792 310420
Agreed by PCC 13 Nov 2008
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