Code of Safer Working Practice

Contents

1GuidelinesforindividualworkersPage1

2AdditionalguidelinesforgroupleadersPage2

3Respondingtochildprotectionconcerns:

  • imminentrisk
  • whattodoifyoususpectachildisatriskorhasbeenabused.

Pages2-3

4Guidelinesforgoodpracticeforchurch-sponsoredactivitiesforchildrenandyoungpeople:

  • specialneeds
  • consent
  • registration
  • recommendedstaffinglevels
  • safeenvironment
  • e-safety
  • transporting childrenonbehalfof thechurch

Pages4-6

WhoisthisCodefor?

ThisCodeisforallwhoworkwithchildrenandyoungpeopleintheDioceseofPeterborough.ThisincludesthosewhohaveaBishop’sLicenseorPermissiontoOfficiate,andbothvolunteerandpaidchildren’sandyouthworkers.

Whatdoesitapplyto?

ThisCodeappliestoallchurchactivitieswithchildrenandyoungpeopleundertheageof18.ThisincludesSundayschools,crèches,holidayclubs,youthclubs,one-offoutingsandactivities,andhomevisits.

WhyhaveaCode?

Thepurposeofthe Codeistoprotect childrenandyoungpeople,aswellasleaders.

Terminologyusedinthiscode

  • Theword‘child’referstoanychildoryoungpersonunderthe ageof18.
  • Theterm‘groupleader’isusedtorefertotheperson withoverallresponsibility fora grouporactivity,whoisanswerabletotheParochialChurchCouncil.

Guidelinesforindividualworkers

Youshould:

  • treatallchildrenandyoungpeoplewithrespectanddignity;.
  • ensurethat yourownlanguage, tone ofvoiceandbody languageis respectful;
  • alwaysaimtoworkwithinsightofanotheradult;
  • ensureanotheradultisinformedifachildneedstobe takentothetoilet;toiletbreaksshouldbeorganizedforyoung children;
  • ensurethatchildrenandyoungpeopleknowwhothey cantalktoif theyneed to speak to someoneaboutapersonalconcern;
  • respondwarmlytoachildwhoneedscomforting,but makesurethereareotheradultsaround; ifanyactivityrequiresphysicalcontact,ensure thatthechildandparentsareawareofthisanditsnaturebeforehand;
  • administeranynecessaryFirstAidwithothersaround;
  • obtainconsentforanyphotographs/videostobetaken,shownordisplayed;
  • recordanyconcerningincidentsandgivetheinformationto yourgroupleader.Sign and datetherecord;
  • alwaysshareconcernsaboutachildorthebehaviourof another workerwithyourgroupleaderand/orthesafeguardingco-ordinator.

Youshouldnot:

  • initiatephysicalcontact.Anynecessarycontact(e.g.for comfort, seeabove)should be initiatedbythechild;
  • invadeachild’sprivacywhilewashingortoileting;
  • playroughphysicalorsexuallyprovocativegames;
  • useanyformofphysicalpunishment;
  • besexuallysuggestiveaboutorto a childeveninfun;
  • touchachildinappropriatelyorobtrusively;
  • scapegoat,ridiculeorrejectachild,grouporadult;
  • permitabusivepeeractivitiese.g.initiationceremonies,ridiculingorbullying;
  • showfavouritismto anyonechildorgroup;
  • allowachildoryoungpersontoinvolveyouinexcessiveattentionseekingthatisovertlyphysicalorsexual innature;
  • give lifts to childrenoryoungpeople ontheirownoronyourown;
  • smoketobaccointhepresenceofchildren;
  • drinkalcoholwhen responsibleforyoungpeople;
  • sharesleepingaccommodationwithchildren;
  • inviteachildtoyourhomealone;
  • arrangesocialoccasionswithchildren(otherthanfamilymembers)outsideorganizedgroupoccasions;
  • allowunknownadultsaccesstochildren.Visitorsshouldalwaysbeaccompaniedbyaknownperson;
  • allowstrangerstogivechildrenlifts.

Touch

Church-sponsoredgroupsandactivitiesshouldprovideawarm,nurturingenvironmentforchildrenandyoungpeople,whileavoidinganyinappropriatebehaviourortheriskofallegationsbeingmade.Childabuseisharm ofa veryseriousnaturesothatitisunlikelythatanytypeofphysicalcontactinthecourseofchildrenandyouthworkcouldbemisconstruedasabuse.Allvolunteersmustworkwithorwithinsightofanotheradult.

Veryoccasionallyitmaybenecessarytorestraina

childoryoungpersonwhoisharmingher/himselforothers.Usethe leastpossibleforceandinformtheparentsassoonaspossible.Allsuchincidentsshouldberecordedand theinformation givento thechurchsafeguardingco-ordinator.

Allphysicalcontactshouldbeanappropriateresponse to thechild’sneedsnot the needsoftheadult.Colleaguesmustbepreparedtosupporteachotherandactorspeakoutifthey thinkanyadultisbehavinginappropriately.

1Additionalguidelinesforgroupleaders

Inadditiontotheguidelinesforindividualworkersabove,thegroupleadershould:

  • ensure anyhealth and safetyrequirements areadheredto;
  • undertakeriskassessmentswithappropriateactiontakenandrecordkept;
  • keep registerandconsentformsuptodate;
  • haveanawareness,atalltimes,ofwhatistakingplaceandwhoispresent;
  • createspaceforchildrentotalk–eitherformallyorinformally;

  • liaisewiththeparish safeguardingofficer overgoodpracticeforsafeguarding;
  • alwaysinformthe parish safeguardingofficerof anyspecificsafeguardingconcernsthatarise.Theparishsafeguardingofficerwillliaisewiththediocesansafeguardingadviser;
  • liaisewiththePCC.

2Respondingtochildprotectionconcerns

Donottrytodealwithanychildprotectionconcernonyourown.Always tellyourgroupleaderandParish SafeguardingOfficer and Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.Agreebetweenyouwhowilltakewhatactionandwhen.

Ifyouarenot sureifchildabuseisinvolved, or ifyouhaveconcernsaboutachildandyouneedsomeonetotalkthingsoverwith,you shouldcontactDiocesanSafeguardingAdviser.(DSA)

Alwaysmakea record of apossiblechildprotectionincidentordisclosureasaccuratelyaspossible,assoonaspossible.Theseshouldcoverwhathashap-pened,when, where and all who were present.Wherever possible, quotethechild’swordsexact-ly. Tryifpossible to notefromtheregisterthechild’sfullname,age,dateofbirth,address,telephonenumberandGP.Remembertosigntherecordandaddyourname,role,dateofincidentanddateoftherecording. Keep the record in a safe place.

Responding to a disclosure from a child or young person:

  • ifachildaskstotalkinconfidencedonotpromiseconfidentiality–youhavea dutyto refera child/young person whoisatrisktothestatutoryagencies;
  • alwaysexplainthatyou may have togetotherpeople tohelp;
  • staycalm;
  • listentothechildattentively;
  • maintaineyecontact;

  • allowthechildtotalk,butdonotpressforinformationoraskleadingquestions;
  • tellthe childthattheyarenottoblameforanythingthathashappened;
  • reassurethe child that they were right to tell;
  • letthechildknowthatotherpeoplewillhavetobetoldandwhy;
  • trytoexplainwhatwillhappennextinawaythechildcanunderstand;
  • reassurethechildthatheorshewillcontinuetoreceivesupport.

Imminentdanger of harm

Ifyouencounterachildin asituationwherethechildisinimmediatedanger,seektheassistanceofthepoliceandcontact the local Multi agency safeguarding hub.Notify the DSA.

Ifachildneedsemergencymedicalattention,thisshouldbesoughtimmediatelyanddirectlyfromtheemergencyservices.Parents,ifavailable,shouldbekeptfullyinformed. Notify the DSA

3What to do if you suspect a child is at risk or has been abused

If there is concern that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm or has been harmed, immediately inform the Parish Safeguarding Officer who must take advice from the DSA.

If no-one is available, contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (“MASH).

If you believe a child is in immediate danger of significant or serious harm contact the emergency services on 999

Remember that the child & family should, wherever possible, be informed about and consent to the referral except where:

  • it would put a child or adult at risk of significant harm
  • it would impede a Police investigation or social work enquiry
  • sexual abuse, fictitious illness or induced illness is suspected
  • contact with the parents/carers would place you or others at risk,
  • it would cause undue delay in making the referral

If you have serious concerns, the absence of consent should not prevent a referral.

For out of hours referrals, call the Emergency Social Work Team or where urgent, the Police.
Always ensure the DSA is informed of the concerns and actions taken, and consult regularly.

childrenandyoungpeople

Specialneeds

Welcomechildrenandyoungpeoplewithspecialneeds tothegroup.Trytomakethepremises,toiletsandaccesssuitableforpeoplewithdisabilities.Asktheparentabouthowbesttomeetthechild’sspecialneeds,anddonotseethisastheresponsibilityonlyofthechild’sparent. If premises arebeing designedorrefurbished, take theopportunitytoanticipatethepossiblespecialneedsoffuturechildrenandadults;adviceisavailable.Disabilitylegislationrequiresorganizations totakereasonablesteps tomeettheneedsofdisabledpeopleandthisincludeschildren.

Registration

A registrationformshouldbecompleted foreverychildoryoungpersonwho attendsgroupsoractivities.Theformshouldbeupdatedannuallyandincludethefollowing:

  • Nameandaddress,
  • Dateofbirth,
  • Emergencycontactdetails,
  • Medicalinformation,
  • Anyspecialneedsincludingactivitiesthatthechildisunabletotakepartin.
  • Consent for emergencymedicaltreatment
  • Consentforphotographsand videos if relevant.

Separate consent shouldbe obtainedforone-offeventsandactivities,forexampleswimming,andalsoforoutings,weekendsaway,etc.

Allpersonaldetailsandconsentformsmustbestoredsecurely.

Anygroupthatincludeschildrenwhoareundersixyearsold andthat meetsregularlyformore than twohoursinanyone dayorfor more than fourteendaysa yearmustregistertheirgroup.PleasecontactyourlocalbranchofOFSTEDforadvice.

AtemplateregistrationformisavailableintheToolkitat:

Consent

Consent needs tobefromaparent orpersonwithparentalresponsibility.Itcanbefromthechildoryoung personifheorshehassufficient age andunderstandinginrelationtothespecificissue.So,forexample,whileparentalconsentisalwaysrequiredforagroupresidentialholiday,ateenagerwouldusuallybeabletoconsenttothe photos fromthe holidaybeingdisplayedinchurch.Youshouldrecordwhohasgivenconsentforanyspecificactivity.

Recommendedstaffinglevels

Therecommendedminimumstaffinglevelsforchildren’sgroupsaregivenbelow.

Morehelpmayberequiredifchildrenarebeingtakenout,areundertakingphysicalactivitiesorifcircumstancesrequireit.

0–2yrs1personforevery3children1:3

2–3yrs1personforevery4children1:4

3–8yrs1personforevery8children1:8

Over8yrs1personforthefirst8childrenthen1extrapersonforeveryextra12children

  • Eachgroupshouldhaveatleasttwoadultsanditisrecommendedthatthereshouldbeatleastonemaleandonefemale.
  • Ifsmall groupsare in thesame room oradjoiningroomswithopenaccessbetweenthemthenitispossible tohaveonlyone adultpergroup,dependentonthenatureof theactivity.
  • Youngpeople who arebeing encouragedtodeveloptheirleadershipskillsthroughhelpingshouldalwaysbeoverseenbyan appointedworkerwhowillberesponsibleforensuringthatgoodpracticeandsafeguardingprocedures arefollowedandthework theyaredoingisappropriate toboththeirageandunderstanding.
  • Adultswhoassistononeortwooccasionsmustberesponsibletoanappointedworker.Thereaftertheyshouldbecome partoftheteamandbeproperlyappointedthroughthenormalrecruitmentprocess.

Safeenvironment

DisplayboththeChildlinetelephonenumberinaprominentplacewherechildrenandyoungpeoplecanseeitandtheNSPCC numberforadults.

Childline 0800 1111

NSPCC 0808 800 5000

Undertakeariskassessmentforeachactivityandingreaterdetailforanunusualactivityor whenawayfromtheusuallocation.

Insurance,FirstAidkitandfireprecautionsshouldbecheckedandaHealthandSafetyCheckshouldbecompletedregularlywithreferencetotheminimumstandardssetoutbelow.

Minimumstandardsforasafeenvironment:

  • Meetingplacesshouldbewarm,welllitandwellventilated.Theyshouldbekeptcleanandfreeofclutter.
  • Electricsocketsshouldbecovered.
  • Toiletsandhandbasinsshouldbeeasilyavailablewithhygienicdryingfacilities.
  • Appropriatespaceandequipmentshouldbeavailableforanyintendedactivity.
  • If foodis regularlypreparedfor children onthepremises,thefacilitieswillneedtobecheckedbytheEnvironmentalHealthOfficerandaFoodHandlingandHygieneCertificateacquired.
  • Children’spackedlunchesshouldbekeptrefrigerated.Drinksshouldalwaysbeavailable.
  • Groupsmusthaveaccesstoaphone inordertocallforhelpifnecessary.
  • Adultsshouldbeawareofthefire procedures.Fireextinguishersshouldberegularlycheckedandsmokedetectorsfitted throughoutthepremises.

  • Afiredrillshouldbecarriedoutregularly.
  • Unaccompaniedchildrenandyoungpeopleshouldbeencouragednot towalktoorfromyourpremisesalongdarkorbadlylitpaths.
  • AFirstAidkitandaccidentbookshouldbeavailableonthepremises.ThecontentsoftheFirstAidkitshouldbestoredinawaterproofcontainerandbeclearlymarked.Eachgroupshoulddesignateoneworkertocheckthe contentsatprescribedintervals.
  • Allstaffandvolunteerworkersshould beencouragedtohavesomeFirstAidknowledgeandtheparishshouldencourageaccesstoFirstAidtraining.Alistoffirstaidersintheparishshouldbecompiledandkeptavailable.AllaccidentsmustberecordedintheAccidentBook.

E-safety

  • Ensureallelectroniccommunicationsareappropriateandprofessional.
  • Ifusinge-technologyasagroupactivity,ensurethatanadultworkerknowsandunderstandswhatishappeningwithinthegroup.
  • Donotmakeanyrelationshipwithachild(otherthanfamilymembers)throughasocialnetworkingsite.
  • Maintainalogofallelectroniccontactwithindividualsorgroupsincludingmessagingandtexting.

FordetailedguidelinesonE-safetyvisit:

Transportingchildrenonbehalfofthechurch

Drivers

  • Allthosewhodrivechildrenonchurch-organizedactivitiesshouldhaveheldafullandcleandrivinglicense for overtwoyears.
  • Driverswhoarenotchildren’sworkersshouldberecruitedforthe taskthroughthe normalrecruitmentprocess.
  • Anydriverwhohasanendorsementof6pointsormoreontheirlicenseshouldinformthegroupleaderand thechurch/parish safeguarding officer
  • Anydriverwhohasanunspentconvictionforanyserious roadtraffic offence shouldnot transportchildrenforthechurch.
  • Driversmustalways beina fit stateienotover-tired; notunder the influenceofalcohol;nottakingillegalsubstances;notundertheinfluenceofmedicinewhichmayinducedrowsiness.

Minibusorcoach

  • Workersand helpersshouldsitamongthegroupandnottogether.
  • Ifnoiseorbehaviourappearstobegettingoutofcontrol,stopthevehicleuntilcalmisrestored.
  • Beforeusingaminibus,ensureyouknowthe up-to-dateregulationsfor itsuseandhavehad atrialdrive.

Private car

  • Childrenandyoungpeopleshouldnotbetransportedinaprivatecarwithoutthe priorconsent oftheirparentsorcarers.Thisalsoappliestoformallyarranged lifts toand fromachurchactivity.
  • Allcarsthatcarrychildrenshouldbecomprehensivelyinsuredforbothprivateandbusinessuse.Theinsuredpersonshouldmakesurethattheir insurancecoversthe givingofliftsrelatingtochurch-sponsoredactivities.
  • Allcarsthatcarrychildrenshouldbeinaroadworthycondition.
  • Allchildrenmustwearsuitableseatbeltsanduseappropriateboosterseats.If thereareinsufficientseatbelts,additionalchildrenshouldnotbecarried.
  • Atnotimeshouldthenumberofchildreninacarexceed theusualpassengernumber.
  • There shouldbeanon-drivingadultescortaswellas the driver.Ifinan emergencyadriverhastotransportonechildonhisorherown,thechildmustsitinthebackofthecar.
  • Arrangements to transport children or vulnerable adults made without the church’s knowledge or agreement are informal arrangements and as such are not made on the Church’s behalf. Parents/ Guardians or other carers making such arrangements are solely responsible for them, but may also wish to follow the above guidance

TemplatetransportagreementsandformsareavailableintheToolkitat:

GKJ DSA April 2017