Child Protection Policy

Child Protection Policy Ensuring a safe environment for children, young people and leaders. Policy Statement Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church reaches out to all children and young people and welcomes those from households where there is no Presbyterian or other denominational connection. We have a legal duty of care to look after all children and provide a safe environment for them as best we can. This policy is aimed at creating an environment where children and young people may enjoy social contact, personal and spiritual development and where they, and the leaders and helpers working with them, will be kept safe.  Adoption of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) Child Protection Guidelines The Kirk Session of Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church has adopted The Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s Child Protection Guidelines, ‘Taking Care Two’, approved by the General Assembly and revised in 2011. All organisations must adhere to these guidelines as agreed by the General Assembly in 2008. The Kirk Session will review the policy every three years and keep Taking Care on the agenda of the Kirk Session meetings. 1. Leadership The Kirk Session believes that the recruitment and appointment process outlined in the Taking Care guidelines greatly assist the assessment of a person’s suitability to work with children and young people. As a result of implementing such procedures, leaders and helpers within this congregation will be more assured of their position and of the confidence placed in them by the Kirk Session.  The following procedures must be followed for the appointment of leaders who are 18 years and  over.

1. All leaders will be required to complete an application form for leaders.
2. The application form includes the vetting process according to legislation and good practice.
3. The Kirk Session will appoint up to two interviewers to meet informally with the applicant. At the interview the Child Protection Policy will be provided and explained. ‘We Care 4 U Too’ will also be provided.
4. Applicants will be required to provide two references, by persons who are not relatives and who have known the applicant for at least two years. Referees should not be the minister, designated person or either of the interviewers. 
5. A letter of approval will be sent to the Designated Person from the Taking Care Office.

2 Training Leaders and helpers who work with children and young people should attend Taking Care training on a regular basis (as church policy or legislation demands). Even those who have a good knowledge of child protection issues in another field should attend as Taking Care Training is the only training available that is specifically dealing with church activities within a church environment. Foundation training should be undertaken by all new leaders and helpers and should be completed within 12 months of appointment. Refresher training should be attended by existing leaders and helpers every three years. 3 Reporting of Concerns The leaders in each of our organisations will be fully conversant with the reporting procedure where there is a concern about the welfare of a child, as outlined in the Taking Care Two guidelines. Leaders must not hesitate to report a concern about a child if they are at any time worried about their welfare. Detailed information on reporting can be found in section 3 of Taking Care Two or online at: https://www.presbyterianireland.org/getmedia/9ec9e829-91f5-420f-9fdd-4c331165743a/Taking-Care-Two-Section-03.pdf.aspx 4 The Designated Person The Kirk Session has appointed the following Designated Person(s):- Allison Meek The Designated Person will give advice and support to organisations and to the Kirk Session on matters concerning the welfare of children and young people. The Kirk Session will keep organisational leaders updated with the name of the Designated Person(s). Any matter brought to the attention of the Designated Person will be treated in strict confidence. Information will be divulged only where there is a legitimate need to know.   5 Parental Consent Forms Organisational leaders must ensure that they have home contact numbers, parental consent and medical information regarding the children in the organisations with which they are working. Special consent forms will be issued for any ‘off the premises’ activity and residential programmes. 6 Good Standards of Practice Each organisation will be expected to comply with the good standards of practice as outlined in the Taking Care Two guidelines. This includes: physical contact, recommended ratios, transport, residential programmes and outings, church sleepovers, photographs and working with children who have special needs. 7 Working Together It is important that all leaders know the boundaries and rules of an organisation and that these are explained to children and parents. A code of conduct for children and young people will be drawn up at the commencement of the year’s activities in each organisation. A code of conduct will help to create a safe, secure environment and an atmosphere where children will feel that they can relate to the leaders and helpers.  All leaders must abide by the discipline guidelines as set out in Taking Care Two. 8 Technology Leaders should limit the direct internet communication they have with individual children and young people in the organisation of which they are leaders. All such communication with children and young people should, as far as possible, be within an open forum; in order to protect both young people and leaders. Leaders should be wise as to how they use this form of communication.  Leaders should not post photographs of young people from the organisation in which they are leaders, on a social networking site, or anywhere on the Internet, unless they have written parental consent.  Leaders involved in Youth and Children’s work should only have children’s mobile numbers if the nature of their involvement requires them to phone or text children and if this is the case, contacting children through the use of mobile phones should be done within the Taking Care Two guidelines. 9 Working with children who have special needs Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church is a place where all children and their families are welcome. Organisations within the church have a duty to be inclusive and to provide opportunities for children and young people of all abilities and regardless of any medical conditions or disabilities as outlined in the Taking Care Two guidelines.  Biblical teaching can be used to show that we are all different and yet we are all special to God. 10 Health and Safety The Kirk Session expects organisations to adhere to the guidance on health and safety matters outlined in the Taking Care Two guidelines. A Risk Assessment form should be completed for each organisation annually (or more frequently if activities change) as well as for any outings or occasional events. Leaders will be informed of fire and first aid procedures.  11 Transport Organisations are expected to adhere to the guidance on safety matters outlined in the Taking Care Two guidelines. 12 Residentials Guidance on residential trips is provided in the Taking Care Two guidelines and will be followed on any residential trips organised by any youth organisation of Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church. A list of contact details must be left with the Designated Person or someone nominated by them. 13 Implementation and Review The Kirk Session is responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and will review it every three years. Useful Contact Details Designated Person Allison Meek Tel 07890750485 Email alliross@doctors.net.uk Minister Rev Anne Tolland Tel 07740362390 Email atolland@btinternet.com Clerk of Session Bruce Robinson Tel 07831867077 Email bruce.robinson7@icloud.com