February 2009
KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE:
Child Protection for Community Groups
This information sheet is intended for community or voluntary groups who are
organising activities for children and young people. It gives basic guidelines on
some of the steps you can take to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional
abuse or neglect of children or young people while they are participating in your
activities.
Do we need a Child Protection Policy?
If you are running activities for or with under 18 year olds you should have a policy.
It not only shows that you take the issue seriously in your group/club but it may
also help you to respond appropriately if you have concerns about the welfare of
any of the children using your project. Increasingly funders want to see that a
policy is in place before they will fund a project for children.
The best policy for your group is one you have put together yourselves because it
will be relevant to your circumstances. Some umbrella organisations relevant to
your activity, like the Football Association, may have policies that you can adapt.
The following guidelines will help you to know what should be included.
What should be in our Child Protection Policy?
1.
A statement of intent. For example, "This project aims to create an
atmosphere where children and young people feel valued and safe and a
place where their welfare is promoted. Any concerns will be taken seriously
and acted on appropriately and will pay attention to what children and young
people say and feel. Everyone involved in the project is obliged to make
sure that children and young people using the project are safe. They must
report concerns without delay".
2.
Your procedure for recruiting staff or voluntary helpers including
Committee members who will have access to children. We recommend:
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All new helpers are interviewed by at least two people.
References are provided from people who know about any previous
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work or voluntary involvement the person has had with children.
A disclosure is undertaken with the Criminal Records Bureau (see
footnote) and a copy kept on file by the Secretary.
3.
A nominated person to deal with Child Protection issues in your group
This is the person in your group people should tell if they are concerned
about the welfare of any children or young people in the project. Ideally that
person would have some training in Child Protection Awareness, (see 5
below).
4.
What is recognised by the group as abuse
An agreed understanding of what constitutes abuse; titles should include
neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse.
5.
What people should do when concerns are reported
This should include clear instructions for what should happen in response to:
- allegations made against a person not working with the group
- allegations made by a young person against another child in the group
- allegations made by a young person or parent/carer against a
volunteer, staff member or project leader.
The nominated person needs to be clear :
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What they should record
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What can and can't be kept confidential
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Reporting to the Police or Social Services.
6.
How to respond to a child wanting to talk about abuse
Guidance for volunteers and staff on how to respond to a child who wishes to
disclose abuse.
A policy can be brief (one or two sides of A4). The more readable, the more likely
it is to be effective!
Making it work
Having the policy and procedures is an important part of keeping children safe from
abuse but here are some suggestions for how you can help it to work in practice.
- Create a culture of safety
Make it clear to everyone that bullying, verbal abuse and intimidation are
unacceptable. If you turn a blind eye to some of these will children trust you
to listen if they try to tell you about other kinds of abuse?
- Let everyone know
A simple leaflet aimed at parents, children or young people could explain
your policy so everyone knows what to expect. A statement or poster on
children's rights when participating in your group will help.
- A code of behaviour for adults in your project, eg
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Not being alone with a child or taking them to your home
Not lending or giving money
Avoiding physical contact
No exclusive or secretive relationships with a child
- Try to make a link with someone who can advise you if you don't know what
to do. They may be from Social Services, the Police or a Voluntary Childcare
Organisation, so long as they have experience and training in child protection
procedures.
- Get training for your organisers/helpers/committee
Gateshead's Local Safeguarding Children Board provide some training for
free (contact Community Based Services Training and Development at
Gateshead Council for this). Some funders are keen to pay for training and
you could hire someone to provide training tailor-made to the needs of your
group. GVOC can advise on this. Ask GVOC if you need training and have
difficulty finding it.
A note on the Criminal Records Bureau
In the absence of a Disclosure we recommend groups put in place the following
safe guards:
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The person provides ID with a photograph, plus proof of their address.
They sign a declaration to say that they have never been investigated or
convicted of offences against children and that they will undergo a disclosure.
The person has no unsupervised access to children until disclosure is
received.
Two references are provided.
Gateshead Volunteer Centre/GVOC will be able to assist groups to identify a
registered umbrella organisation that may apply for disclosures on behalf of your
group.
For further information
Contact GVOC between 8.45 am and 4.45 pm - Monday to Friday
Telephone: 0191 478 4103 Fax: 0870 705 8702
E-mail: enquiries@gvoc.org.uk Internet: www.gvoc.org.uk
Registered charity number 1137389
A Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England & Wales
Company Registration Number 7302622