Safe Guarding Policy

A Introduction

Assembly or Church (hereafter called Assembly) Details

Name of the assembly: Gospel Hall, Percy Road (hereafter called GHMJ)

Location: Gospel Hall, Percy Road, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 4JW

Denominational (or other) details: We are a fellowship of people who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and assemble or gather in His Name.

Assembly Statement

In keeping with its mission the assembly is undertaking to spread the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ to anyone. This includes online activities.

Assembly Mission

The assembly believes that the Bible was, and is, inspired by God. Therefore the Bible, with every verse taken in its context, is the basis of teaching and practice. Consequently the assembly is characterised by: worship, regularly teaching the Bible, prayers, fellowship to assist people who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour to become His followers. Also to bring the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ to any person of any age in society. The assembly takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people on the GHMJ property.

As part of the mission, the assembly is committed to:

• Listening to, relating effectively and valuing children and young people whilst ensuring their protection within the assembly’s activities.

• Encouraging and supporting parents/carers

• Having a system for dealing with concerns about possible abuse

• Maintaining good links with the statutory child care authorities

B Appointment of Workers

• In recognising/appointing workers, the assembly will be responsible for only asking people known to be good and godly in character. All such people in accordance with Government policy, will be DBS checked.
• Understands and follows the church’s child protection policy.
• Is adequately trained and supervised,

C Areas of Policy

The assembly recognises that many children and young people today are the victims of neglect, and physical, sexual and emotional abuse. It also recognises that it is the responsibility of all adults to prevent physical, emotional or sexual abuse of children and young people, especially in GHMJ, and to report any abuse discovered or suspected. Accordingly, the assembly has adopted the policy contained in this document, (hereafter “the policy”). The policy sets out agreed guidelines relating to the following areas:

• Responding to allegations of abuse, including those made against any member of the assembly

• Supervision of activities and practice issues

• Helping victims of abuse

The Child Protection Co-ordinators are Ian Docksey (07765 586955) and Sarah Docksey (07746 539244) (hereafter the “Co-ordinators”).

The Sutton Social Services 24 hours office telephone number is 020 8770 5000. Between 9.00am and 5.15pm ask for the Children and Family Team, Child Protection. Outside those hours security will answer who have a list of emergency contact numbers.

The 24 hour Wallington Police telephone number is 020 8773 1212 and you will be answered by the Sutton borough’s central operator who will put you through to the appropriate office.

D Inviting children/youth to the meetings/activities:

• By leaflets given through schools or in the streets. For safety or sickness reasons children/youth will not be received unless the leaflet has the appropriate relative’s mobile telephone number recorded on it and has been signed by the parent/carer.
• Records are to be kept of all those attending.
• Communications about meetings/activities that are sent by mobile communications will be sent to the parent/carers only. The parents/carers must then reply to say whether the children/youth are coming.
• Online Meetings/Activities. Communications about online meetings/activities that are sent by mobile communications will be sent to the parent/carers only. The parents/carers must then reply to say whether the children/youth are coming before the online reference is given to the parents.

E How to Respond to a Child Wanting to Talk About Abuse

It is not easy to give precise guidance, but the following may help:

General Points

• Show acceptance of what the child says (however unlikely the story may sound)
• Keep calm
• Look at the child directly
• Be honest
• Tell the child you will need to let someone else know – don’t promise confidentiality
• Even when a child has broken a rule, they are not to blame for the abuse
• Be aware that the child may have been threatened or bribed not to tell
• Never push for information. If the child decides not to tell you after all, then accept that and let them know that you are always ready to listen.

Helpful things you may say or show

• I believe you (or showing acceptance of what the child says)
• Thank you for telling me
• It’s not your fault
• I will help you

Don’t say

• Why didn’t you tell anyone before?
• I can’t believe it!
• Are you sure this is true?
• Why? How? When? Who? Where?
• Never make false promises
• Never make statements such as “I am shocked, don’t tell anyone else”

F Conclusion

• Again reassure the child that they were right to tell you and show acceptance.

• Let the child know what you are going to do next and that you will let them know what happens (you might have to consider referring to Social Services or the Police to prevent a child or young person returning home if you consider them to be seriously at risk of further abuse)

• Contact the person in your assembly responsible for co-ordinating child protection concerns or contact an agency such as the ThirtyOne:Eight (hereafter “318”), PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ. Telephone 0303 003 1111 for advice or go directly to Social Services/Police/NSPCC.

• Consider your own feelings and seek pastoral support if needed

Please note: Make notes as soon as possible (preferably within one hour of the child talking to you), writing down exactly what the child said and when s/he said it, what you said in reply and what was happening immediately beforehand (e.g. a description of the activity). Record dates and times of these events and when you made the record. Keep all hand written notes, even if subsequently typed. Such records are to be kept safely for an indefinite period.

The original or a signed copy of the notes must be given to the Co-ordinator as soon as possible after they are written/typed.

G What To Do If You Suspect That Abuse May Have Occurred

1 You must report concerns as soon as possible to the Co-ordinator who is nominated by the assembly to act on their behalf in referring allegations or suspicions of neglect or abuse to the statutory authorities.

2 If the suspicions in any way involve the Co-ordinator then the report should be made in the first instance to CCPAS. Alternatively contact the Social Services.

3 Suspicions will not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above.

4 If, however, you feel that the Co-ordinator has not responded appropriately to your concerns, then it is open to you to contact the relevant organisation direct. We hope by making this statement that we demonstrate the commitment of the assembly to effective child protection.

H Allegations of Physical Injury or Neglect

If a child has a physical injury or symptom of neglect, the Co-ordinator will:

1 Contact Social Services (or CCPAS) for advice in cases of deliberate injury or where concerned about the child’s safety. The parents should not be informed by the assembly in these circumstances.

2 Where emergency medical attention is necessary it will be sought immediately. The Co-ordinator will inform the doctor of any suspicions of abuse.

3 In other circumstances speak with the parent/carer and suggest that medical help/attention is sought for the child. The doctor, (or health visitor) will then initiate further action, if necessary.

4 If appropriate the parent/carer will be encouraged to seek help from the Social Services Department.

5 Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help the Co-ordinator should, in cases of real concern, contact Social Services for advice.

6 Where the Co-ordinator is unsure whether or not to refer a case to the Social Services, then advice from CCPAS will be sought and followed. CCPAS will confirm its advice in writing in case this is needed for reference purposes in the future.

I Allegations Of Sexual Abuse

In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the Co-ordinator will:

1 Contact the Social Services duty social worker for children and families or Police Child Protection Team directly. The Co-ordinator will NOT speak to the parent (or anyone else).

2 If, for any reason, the Co-ordinator is unsure whether or not to follow the above, then advice from CCPAS will be sought and followed. CCPAS will confirm its advice in writing in case this is needed for reference purposes in the future.

3 Under no circumstances will the Co-ordinator attempt to carry out any investigation into the allegation or suspicions of sexual abuse. The role of the Co-ordinator is to collect and clarify the precise details of the allegation or suspicion and to provide this information to the Social Services Department, whose task it is to investigate the matter under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989.

4 Allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse will normally be reported to the Co-ordinator. However in the absence of the Co-ordinator, the worker should not delay referral to the Social Services Department.

5 Exceptionally, should there be any disagreement between the person in receipt of the allegation or suspicion and the Co-ordinator or Deputy as to the appropriateness of a referral to the Social Services Department, that person retains a responsibility as a member of the public to report serious matters to the Social Services Department, and should do so without hesitation.

J What To Do Once A Child Has Talked To You About Abuse:

The Procedure

1 Make notes as soon as possible (preferably within an hour of being told), writing down exactly what the child said, write what you said in reply to the child, when he/she said it and what was happening immediately beforehand (e.g. description of activity). Record dates and times of these events and when you made the record. Keep all hand written notes securely, even if these have been typed subsequently. It is advised to complete the “Responding to Abuse – Worker’s action Sheet” as this should help in recording these incident.

2 Report your discussion as soon as possible to the Co-ordinator. If the latter is implicated report to CCPAS or to Social Services if preferred.

3 You should not discuss your suspicions or allegations with anyone other than those nominated in the above point.

4 Once a child has talked about abuse the worker/co-ordinator should consider whether or not it is safe for a child to return home to a potentially abusive situation. On rare occasions it might be necessary to take immediate action to contact Social Services and/or police to discuss putting into effect safety measures for the child so that they do not return home.

K Supervision and Practical Issues

• When a private discussion is requested, and especially if requested by teenagers, ensure that always two workers are present, with at least one worker being of the same sex as the interviewee. On no occasion is a worker to be left alone with a child or teenager. The door of a room is always to be left open when seeing a child.
• If you are asked by a person, and especially by a teenager, to a remote part of the building to “help” or “sort out a problem” always try to bring another worker with you. If that is not possible then, depending partly on the circumstances, either decline the request or say that you will be able to come soon. Then as soon as possible find another worker to go with you.
• No person under 16 years of age should be left in charge of any children of any age. Nor should children or young people attending a group be left alone at any time.
• Any accidents should be reported in the accident book that is used to record any accidents or injuries and this is kept by the Co-ordinator. Parents (and older children) should be asked to sign the accident book,
• Workers should record unusual events, with the Co-ordinator, recording what they witnessed. This can be very helpful if leaders have to deal with a difficult young person who may subsequently make accusations of assault. A young person who constantly makes throwaway sexual comments about assembly workers may later make an allegation of actual abuse. Records of previous examples of this behaviour will enable any allegation to be seen in context. Of course, if a number of young people all make similar comments about one worker, this should warn the assembly that they have a problem with that person. The Co-ordinator will maintain the records, or copies of them, in a log book. These log books can protect both children and workers.
• It is suggested that workers also record in the log book incidents such as fights and what action was taken and by whom.

• The log book will be kept for as long as possible partly so as to help insurance companies and also because accusations of abuse may be made many years later.

• In the interests of openness any workers and the co-ordinator are encouraged to helpfully discuss where they feel the co-ordinator or a worker can be wiser in any situation.

We acknowledge that the “Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service” (CCPAS) has been the source material of this document. No part of this statement may be copied by organisations or churches without our prior written permission of the CCPAS. The CCPAS manual is based on the law in England Wales.