The Child Protection policy of Belle Vue Baptist Church

• Policy Statement on Children, Young People and the Church
• Good Practice Guidelines for Work with Children and Young People
• Procedure for Report of Suspected Abuse

Policy Statement on Children, Young People and the Church

This statement was agreed at the church meeting held on May 31st 2001.

The Diaconate will review the policy and monitor progress in carrying it out annually in the September meeting. The church is committed to operate on Christian values. As such we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all.

We recognise that our work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church. We recognise that children and young people are part of the church and have much to give as well as to receive. We listen to them.

We are committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who work with children and young people.

We accept that it is the responsibility of every adult in the church to ensure that Belle Vue Baptist Church is a safe environment, free from physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children and young people, and to report any abuse discovered or suspected following the church's Procedure if Abuse is Disclosed, Discovered or Suspected.

As part of our commitment to children and young people the church has appointed Jill Simmonds to be an Advocate. Their role will be as an advisor to those working with children and young people and to liaise with appropriate people and authorities where necessary. Their role will be clearly explained to church.

Each person who works with children and young people, whether as a leader or as a helper, must confirm their acceptance of the church's policy as set out above, and agree to work within the Good Practice Guidelines for work with Children and Young People set down by the church. Each shall have copies of the church's Policy Statement, Good Practice Guidelines and Procedure if Abuse is Disclosed, Discovered or Suspected. Their acceptance will be affirmed by signing the appropriate form. A list of all the approved workers in the church is available for inspection and everyone on the list will need to be reaffirmed at the church's Annual General Meeting.

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Good Practice Guideline for Work with Children and Young People

These guidelines were agreed at the church meeting held on 28th June 2001.

They are intended

• to protect children and young people by minimising opportunities for abuse
• to protect leaders and helpers from false allegations of abuse.

The guidelines

• Leaders and helpers must avoid being alone with a child or young person where their activity cannot easily be observed. On church premises, this may mean leaving doors open, or asking another adult to remain nearby.
• Leaders and helpers must make sure another adult is present in the same room if a child has soiled themselves and needs to be cleaned.
• In a counselling situation with a young person, where privacy and confidentiality are important, another adult must know the interview is taking place and with whom. Another adult must be in the building, must be able to easily observe the meeting and the young person must know they are there.
• Groups should always have at least two adults present on the premises to ensure that the group is never left unsupervised.
• When groups meet outside church premises, two adults must always be available; this is especially important when a group meets in a private house. A child or young person should not be invited alone to a leader's or helper's home without the presence of another adult.
• When providing transport for children and young people, leaders and helpers should try to ensure that there is more than one passenger in each vehicle. If this is not possible, the child or young person should sit in the rear of the car.
• Children and young people should be treated with respect and dignity befitting their age, and leaders and helpers should take care with their language, tone of voice, how they use their bodies and how they dress. Leaders should avoid rough games, physical control and discipline, invasion of privacy, inappropriate touching, making comments that could be regarded as suggestive (even if made in "fun") and any scapegoating, ridiculing or rejecting a child or young person.
• Leaders should not let youngsters involve them in excessive attention seeking that is overtly sexual or physical in nature.
• An atmosphere of mutual support and care should be encouraged among those working with children and young people, so that any inappropriate practices can be discussed and amended.

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Procedure for Report of Suspected Abuse

Types of abuse

Physical

where children's bodies are hurt or injured.

Emotional

where children don't receive love and affection, may be frightened by threats or taunts, or are given responsibilities beyond their years.

Sexual

where adults (and sometimes other children) use children to satisfy sexual desires.

Neglect

 where adults fail to care for children and protect them from danger, seriously impairing health and development.

If abuse is disclosed or discovered:

• Do not delay.
• Do not act alone.
• Do not start to investigate.
• Consult with the appointed church Advocate. If the Advocate is unavailable, or is involved in an allegation then the minister or any of the deacons shall be consulted.
• If the child is in immediate danger, call the police.

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