Child Protection

Diocese of Oxford Parish Child Protection Policy Statement

Parish of All Saints Church, Ascot Heath

The following policy was agreed at the PCC meeting held on 19^th November 2008

1. We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops’ Child Protection Policy Protecting All God’s Children, and the diocesan procedures, which are based on the Children Act 1989, and the Home Office Guidance Safe from Harm.

2. We are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children within our church community.

3. We will carefully select and train ordained and lay ministers; volunteers and paid workers with children and young people using the Criminal Records Bureau, to check the background of each person.

4. We will respond without delay to every complaint made, that a child or young person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed.

5. We will fully cooperate with statutory agencies during any investigation they make into allegations concerning a member of the church community.

6. We will seek to offer informed pastoral care to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse.

7. We will care for and supervise any member of our church community known to have offended against a child.

8. We will review this policy annually, and, as part of this, check that all our procedures, including the CRB Annex, are up to date.

Policy Guidelines for the Recruitment of Volunteers to work with Children or Young People

1.        A person who has been a committed and active member of All Saints Church for at least 6 months¹ is identified as a possible probationary Potential Volunteer

2.        As a very first step, the Potential Volunteer is confidentially considered by the whole of the Ministry Team with Group Leader/Facilitator  input

If no initial concerns or objections are recognized, the Group Leader/Facilitator then informs the Volunteer Appointing Body of the Potential Volunteer candidate

3.        At this time, the specific role expectation and job description only may be explained to the Potential Volunteer by the Group Leader/Facilitator². The Potential Volunteer is also given a sighting of “Child Protection Guide for Church Workers with Children and Young People” by the Group Leader/Facilitator

Group Leader/Facilitator gives no further advice to the Potential Volunteer, but refers to a future selection process by others being necessary

4.        Potential Volunteer is invited to be a guest at the specific Group by the Group Leader/Facilitator, as a non-participating observer³

If all then appears acceptable to the Group Leader/Facilitator, Potential Volunteer, and Group members, the Group Leader/Facilitator notifies the Volunteer Appointing Body and makes a request for the assessment and recruitment process to proceed

5.        Volunteer Appointing Body meets with the Potential Volunteer⁴

a.        Enquires of any concerns the Potential Volunteer may have and assures confidentiality

b.        Ensure role responsibilities are recognized and understood

c.        Explain Parish Policy and PCC role as the Accountable Body

d.        Explain the need for CRBD procedures, and advise Potential Volunteer of the timescale to full Volunteer status

e.        Give the Potential Volunteer the Appointment and Declaration Form to complete and return

f.          Scrutinize Appointment and Declaration Form for issues (civil and criminal) that require exploration

g.        Takes up two references

6.        After acceptable References have been received the Volunteer Appointing Body informs the Approved Parish Representative⁵

7.        Approved Parish Representative meets with the Potential Volunteer and gives guidance in completion of the CRBD Application Form

Approved Parish Representative undertakes Identification Documentation check and completes verification form

Approved Parish Representative completes Application Form requesting the Diocese to process CRBD, and sends to the Diocese

8.        Diocese processes the CRBD application as the Registered Body, and  informs the Volunteer Appointing Body if Disclosure is clear or otherwise

9.        If the Disclosure is Clear the Volunteer Appointing Body formally appoints the Potential Volunteer into the role. The appointment will be made initially for a Probationary Period of six months. Thereafter, the appointment will be reviewed annually

Volunteer Appointing Body notifies the Group Leader who in turn personally notifies the Potential Volunteer of the appointment

10.     If the Disclosure is Positive and shows “Convictions and/or other Disqualifying Behaviour”, the Diocese will carry out a Risk Assessment

The Diocese will advise the Volunteer Appointing Body of the result of their Risk Assessment in relation to the appointment i.e.

a.        Confirmed

b.        Refused

c.        Approved Subject to Conditions

The Diocesan advice will be reviewed by the Ministry Team in consultation with the Volunteer Appointing Body including any considerations in respect of Pastoral, and a decision will be taken as to appointment of the Potential Volunteer

If the decision is to appoint the Potential Volunteer with or without conditions, then the procedure in paragraph 15 will be followed.

11.     Any decision not to appoint a specific Potential Volunteer at any stage in the selection process will be communicated to the Potential Volunteer by the Volunteer appointing Body. The Potential Volunteer may appeal against the decision; any appeals and complaints will be referred to the Diocese for action in accordance with the relevant procedures

Notes

¹ Time could be reduced if the PV came specifically and strongly recommended from another church

² The GL must take care not to raise unachievable expectations in the PV (there may be reasons for non-acceptance)

³ At least two guest attendances should be arranged, to allow a fair introduction to all involved within the Group

⁴ It is advisable for a minimum of two Volunteer Appointing Body members to meet with the Potential Volunteer

⁵ At this point it may be possible to offer the PV a CONDITIONAL role as a fully supervised Probationary Helper

Diocese of Oxford Parish Policy Statement on Recruitment and CRB Disclosures

1. This Parish is committed to the recognition of each person’s skills, experience and qualifications. We shall attempt to ensure that these are fully considered in the recruitment and appointment of paid staff and volunteers.

2. We shall assess all positions (whether for paid staff or volunteers) in order to determine whether a Disclosure is required from the Criminal Records Bureau and, if so, at what level. For those positions requiring a Disclosure, we shall indicate in any advertisement (or other information about the position) the level of Disclosure and make clear that any offer of position will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory Disclosure information.

3. Where a position involves a Disclosure, we shall encourage all applicants invited to an interview to provide details of any criminal record before the interview.

4. We shall obtain Disclosures through the Diocese, following Diocesan procedures.

5. If the Diocese advises that a Disclosure contains information relevant to the position, we shall work with Diocesan staff to assess the risks and agree a course of action.

6. We shall follow Diocesan guidance on the re-submission of applications for Disclosure.

7. We shall ensure that Disclosure information is passed only to those entitled to receive it.

8. We are committed to the fair and sensitive use of Disclosure information. We shall refer to the Diocese any complaints about the Disclosure process or the accuracy of Disclosure information so that appropriate action can be taken; this may involve the use of the formal complaints procedure.

9. In dealing with all matters relating to Disclosure, we shall comply with the Criminal Records Bureau’s Code of Practice.  We shall also comply with Diocesan policies and follow Diocesan procedures and guidance.

Parish Agreement with Diocese of Oxford on Obtaining CRB Disclosures

1. The Diocese of Oxford has registered with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) as an Umbrella Body. It will provide a service to parishes so that they can obtain Standard and Enhanced Disclosures when recruiting to positions – for both volunteers and paid staff – where a Disclosure is required.

2. The Diocese will operate in compliance with the CRB’s Code of Practice and other guidance; it has the requisite policies in place. It will provide for the parish procedures, guidance and a policy which the parish will need to adopt.

3. The Diocese will countersign applications for Disclosure, submit them to the CRB and advise the parish of the outcome.

4. The Diocese will assess the relevance of any Disclosure information and if necessary carry out a risk assessment. It will assist the parish in dealing with any situation where the Disclosure information could affect appointment.

5. Currently the Diocese will make an administration charge for all volunteer appointments. However, Parishes will also need to reimburse the Diocese for the charge made by the Criminal Records Bureau for Disclosures relating to paid staff.

6. The parish will comply with the CRB’s Code of Practice. It will also operate in compliance with Diocesan policies, procedures and guidance.

7. The parish will assess positions for both paid staff and volunteers and determine if a Disclosure is required and, if so, at what level.

8. The parish will check the person’s identity before submitting a Disclosure application form, as set out in Diocesan procedures.

9. The parish will protect Disclosure information as required by law.

10. The parish will refer to the Diocese any complaints regarding the Disclosure process, or the accuracy of Disclosure information, so that appropriate action can be taken.