Journey Community Church safeguarding policy
Children & vulnerable adults

Ethos

The intent of the following information is to help everyone working with the younger generations in the organisation to do so with confidence, aware that they are operating within programmes and with guidelines that ensure the best possible standards of safety and protection for themselves and the children.

Under legislation there are requirements about registration for voluntary groups working with children. This order - “Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2005” - is legislation with the established aim of improving existing safeguards for vulnerable adults and children by preventing unsuitable people obtaining work, in any capacity, whether paid or unpaid. All organisations entrusted with the care of children and vulnerable adults need to adhere to this legislation to ensure best practice. Legally, these apply to anyone providing residential care, and to all groups who regularly have children under 12 years of age in their care for more than two hours a day. In response to this legislation, the government published a booklet giving guidelines for voluntary organisations working with children -"Our Duty To Care" - which aims to help them bring their practices into line with the standards the Order lays down. This advice is for any group working with under 18 year olds.

The standards of care we offer to children and young people should be in the realms of excellence -we have a moral duty to think through and apply legislation and make sure our practices are effective and efficient, especially in protecting children from abuse. Putting these guidelines into practice will also ensure a high standard of protection for those working with children and youth in our church. Young people and children are legally entitled to certain standards of care and protection, and the new Children's Order is going to make everyone, parents and children, more aware of their rights and responsibilities.

Here we have formulated basic guidelines for groups working with youth and children to help us comply with the principles of good practice detailed by the authorities. It will also give some information to help us recognise signs of abuse, and guidelines on how to proceed if one suspects a child is suffering abuse.

Definition of Abuse

Taken from" Co-operating to Protect Children" - the DHSS guide.

"Children may be abused by a parent, a sibling or other relative, a carer (e.g. foster parent) an acquaintance, or a stranger. The abuse may be the result of a direct act, or of a failure on the part of a parent or carer to act or to provide proper care, or both. The abuse may take a number of forms, including:

• Physical

• Emotional/Mental

• Sexual

• Neglect

• Exploitation

• Domestic abuse

Child abuse is very hard to diagnose, even for professionals, but if anyone has a concern about possible abuse, they should pass that concern on - following the guidelines mentioned later in this document, as sometimes it is the collection of a number of small pieces of information, which may combine to give a picture of abuse.

Neglect: Constant hunger, poor personal hygiene, constant tiredness, poor state of clothing, emaciation, untreated medical problems, no social relationships, compulsive scavenging, destructive tendencies.

• Physical Abuse: Unexplained recurrent injuries or burns, improbable excuses or refusal to explain injuries, wearing clothes to cover injuries even in hot weather, refusal to undress for gym or swimming, bald patches, chronic running away, fear of medical help or examination, self destructive tendencies, aggression towards others, fear of physical contact -shrinking back if touched, admitting that they are punished, but the punishment is excessive -e.g. beaten every night to "make them study", fear of suspected abuser being contacted.

• Sexual Abuse: Being over affectionate or knowledgeable in a sexual way inappropriate to the child's age; medical problems such as chronic itching, pain in the genitals, venereal diseases, depression, self mutilation; suicide attempts, running away, overdoses, anorexia; regression to younger behaviour patterns such as thumb sucking or cuddly toy hugging; personality changes such as becoming insecure, clinging; sudden loss of appetite or compulsive eating; being isolated or withdrawn; inability to concentrate; lack of trust or fear of someone they know well, such as not wanting to be alone with a baby- sitter or child minder; starting to wet again; day or nightmares; become worried about undressing; suddenly drawing sexually explicit pictures; trying to be ultra good or perfect; over-reacting to criticism.

• Emotional Abuse: Delays in physical, mental and emotional development; sudden speech disorders; continual self deprecation; extreme fear of new situations; inappropriate response to pain; neurotic behaviour -rocking, hair twisting, self mutilation; extremes of passivity or aggression.

• Exploitation is the intentional ill-treatment, manipulation or abuse of power and control over a child or young person; to take selfish or unfair advantage of a child or young person or situation, for personal gain.  It may manifest itself in many forms such as child labour, slavery, servitude, engaging in criminal activity, begging, benefit or other financial fraud or child trafficking.  It extends to the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of children for the purpose of exploitation.  Exploitation can be sexual in nature. 

• Domestic violence and abuse is: Threatening, controlling, coercive behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, virtual, physical, verbal, sexual, financial or emotional) inflicted on anyone (irrespective of age, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any form of disability) by a current or former intimate partner or family member.’

Safe Recruitment Policy

Care should be taken when appointing children's and youth leaders. Everyone volunteering to work regularly with children's and youth groups should fill in the appropriate information and reference forms.

• Everyone who works as an unsupervised volunteer needs to be checked by Access NI, even if you have been checked by another organisation.  

• It is Journey policy to re-check volunteers every three years, so check your certificate is still valid. 

• If someone has not been checked, they must NOT be left unattended with children.  They can volunteer but must be supervised at all times. 

How do I apply?

• Create an Access NI account

• Follow instructions on the sheet provided.

• Provide Rachel Ashe with three forms of ID you use in your application.

• Select electronic/digital copy of your certificate.

• A certificate will be emailed to you.

Paid staff recruitment 

• A job description & person specification will be provided for each role. 

• ACCESS NI checks must be carried out

• Applicants to provide the details of at least two referees, which will be checked as part of vetting checks. 

• In the case of shortlisting, this must be carried out by at least two people in accordance with job description and person specification. 

• Interviews will be undertaken by a panel of at least three trustees/Elders. 

• When a role is offered, this will be under the understanding that it is not confirmed until all vetting checks have been completed. 

Role of Safeguarding Lead 

The role includes responsibilities such as: 

1. Take a lead role in developing and reviewing JCC’s safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. 

2. Take a lead role in implementing JCC’s safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures: ensuring all safeguarding and child protection issues concerning children & young people who take part in activities are responded to appropriately. 

3. Ensure everyone working or volunteering with or for children and young people, including trustees/Elders, understands the safeguarding and child protection policy and procedures and knows what to do if they have a concern about a child’s welfare. 

4. Make sure children and parents know who they can talk to if they have a welfare concern and understand what action JCC will take in response. 

5. Receive and record concerns about a child who takes part in JCC’s activities. 

6. Liase with, pass on information to and receive information from statutory child protection agencies such as the local authority child protection services or the PSNI. This includes making formal referrals when necessary. 

7. Work closely with Elders/board of trustees to ensure they are kept up to date with safeguarding issues and are fully informed of any concerns, ensuring children protection is a high priority at all levels of the organisation. 

8. Stay up to date with new policies and developments relating to this area through regular training. 

Parental Complaint Procedure

This procedure is to provide a parent/guardian or young person who considers that she/he has a grievance, with the opportunity to have it examined quickly and effectively, and where a grievance is deemed to exist, to have it resolved, if possible, at the earliest practical time.

Stage 1- Leader in Charge of Group

When a parent/guardian or young person feels aggrieved on any matter she/he should discuss the problem initially with the worker responsible for the group/activity e.g. Leader in charge. They will attempt to resolve the issue, consulting where necessary the other members of the team. The worker should reply to the grievance as soon as possible, and in any case, within three working days from the time the grievance was first raised. 

Stage 2 – Involvement of Management

If the parent/guardian or young person with the grievance is not satisfied with the reply from the worker or has not received a reply within three working days she/he may request that the matter is raised with the Worker’s line manager, in the case of JCC Zara Monteith (Executive Pastor) or Mike Brubaker (Site Pastor).

On receipt of such a request the Management team will make arrangements to hear the grievance. 

Stage 3 – Involvement of the Chairperson/Senior Leader

If the parent/guardian or young person with the grievance is not satisfied with the reply from the worker’s Line Manager or has not received a reply within three working days she/he may request that the matter be raised with the Chairperson/Senior Pastor (John Ashe).

The Director, on receipt of such a request shall make arrangements to hear the grievance.  It is the responsibility of the Director to make arrangements for the hearing to be held within ten working days of the grievance being raised with him/her.

Reference to the Director is the final stage of the grievance.

Code of conduct

Staff & Volunteers should:

• Be inclusive of ALL children or young people and encourage the participation of those with access requirements or those that do not normally engage

• Be aware of children or young people’s needs and seek specialist / parental advice where necessary

• Be open minded, respect children or young people’s personal space, their rights to privacy and having their own ideas and opinions

• Ensure children or young people are aware and understand expectations and boundaries of appropriate behaviour

• Ensure that programmes are attractive, engaging and relevant to the needs of children or young people

• Be punctual 

• Not spend excessive amounts of time alone with children and young people away from others

• Avoid situations where you are required to provide intimate care on your own

• Never engage in inappropriate touching of any form

• Never make sexually suggestive remarks, gestures or comments about or to a child - even in fun

• Never allow the use of inappropriate language, attitudes or behaviour to go on unchallenged

• Never let allegations that a child or young person makes go unrecorded 

• Ensure appropriate recording of any incidents or accidents

• Only share information about children and young people that is relevant and, on a need, to know basis 

Dos and Don’ts

• Do show appropriate affection (take a child’s hand, comfort them if they are upset)

• Do praise and encourage

• Do ask someone if you are unsure about a situation

• Do ask unfamiliar people why they are there if you are suspicious

• Do report anything that you feel may be a concern

• Don’t accompany children to the toilet or use the toilets designated for children

• Don’t be alone with a child ever

• Don’t touch a child anywhere on their body that might be deemed inappropriate

• Don’t shout at a child

• Don’t administer first aid unless you are trained

Other specific issues or guidelines

New legislation on sexting.

• It is illegal to send indecent images (even of yourself) according to the Telecommunications Act.  If you discover evidence of this on a child’s phone, you must confiscate the phone, turn it off and hand it into the police.

Education on Protection Issues

Leaders should be aware of the issues surrounding child abuse, protection and prevention, and be equipped to respond appropriately where such issues arise or are suspected. They should know the guidelines for response set out later in this document.

Physical Contact

Some children enjoy and benefit from a degree of appropriate contact with leaders. While appropriate touch imports warmth, caring and security, it must be remembered that some children will not want physical contact and should never be put in the position where they have to accept it -this can be frightening for a child. Leaders should allow children to take the lead in matters of affectionate physical contact -and should be very careful that the level or frequency of contact with any child should never be such as would be open to misinterpretation by an outsider looking on. Some children solicit inappropriate levels of physical contact, - either to gain affection or in rough play and this should be gently discouraged. "Horseplay" between children and adults should also be carefully monitored- it can be dangerous physically for both.

Banter and Bullying

Banter is a regular feature of how children, and particularly older children, relate, but it can be very harmful. We would encourage all leaders to be very careful about levels of banter in a group - between leaders and leaders, leaders and children, or child to child. Banter that makes any child feel put down, hurt, intimidated, embarrassed or pointed out as different, should be strongly discouraged. It is utterly inconsistent with the aims and objectives of our groups.  Where banter turns into taunting or name calling it comes into the realm of bullying, as does any physical pushing around or other victimisation of any child. It is good to formulate an agreed policy with the children to limit banter and outlaw bullying.

B. WAYS TO SAFEGUARD LEADERS

Good Planning

All activities -normal group meetings, trips or weekends, should be well planned for and prepared, with safety of procedure and environment in mind, and adequate staffing ensured so that no leader is over stretched.

Education

All leaders should be familiar with what constitutes abusive behaviour towards a child -e.g. hurtful bantering and name calling, forceful physical contact, picking on a particular child, any holding or touching which makes the child uncomfortable or unhappy etc.  They should also be aware of signs that might indicate child abuse may be going on in other situations in the child's life, and what to do if they suspect such abuse. Senior leaders should be able to give clear guidelines on such matters, and every leader should be familiar with this booklet.

Supervision Issues

Leaders should try to ensure that as far as possible they are not left alone in a closed room with a child or young person. Organise activities so that two leaders - preferably one male and one female leader in mixed groups -are present. If a situation arises where you have to speak with one child, keep in view of the others - do not take to another room. If there are insufficient leaders to run the group safely, it is better to stop the group until new leaders are recruited. Every effort should be made where possible to work within the following ratio guidelines:

0-2 years 1 adult to 3 children

2-3 years 1 adult to 4 children

3-7 years 1 adult to 8 children

8 years+ 2 adults for up to 20 children

Transporting Children

Leaders should try not to put themselves in a position where they are regularly alone in a vehicle with a child. Where a leader regularly does a transport run, he or she should try to have another leader present, or at least never leave the same child off last every week, and should make sure parents and other leaders are aware of the arrangement. No overloading or travelling with inadequate insurance is acceptable. (See also sub section General Guidelines on Transport)

Outside Activities

When taking a group for a special activity, check there are people in charge or on hand with adequate safety training, and that the establishment is covered in case of accident or injury. On trips out, leaders should have a list of the children they are responsible for, should take responsibility for that group – know where they are at all times -and make sure they bring them all home! DO NOT attempt activities with inadequate leadership. Inform parents of all special activities the group may undertake. 

Keeping parents informed and involved where appropriate.

Parents should be aware of the content of programmes -so planning in advance is essential. They should be invited to participate in events where for example there may be specific prayer for children. Each leader should be aware of the church's guidelines for praying with young people -(see end of document).

Insurance

Leaders should take responsibility to make sure insurance cover is adequate for special events. When any event outside church premises is being organised, leaders should check that the church insurance policy would cover those activities. Sometimes an extension of cover will be necessary.

Our commitment to Safeguard Adults

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights; it can take many forms.  The staff and volunteers in Journey Community Church are committed to practice which promotes the welfare of adults at risk and safeguards them from harm.

Staff and volunteers in our organisation accept and recognise our responsibilities to develop awareness of the issues that cause adults harm, and to establish and maintain a safe environment for them. We will not tolerate any form of abuse wherever it occurs or whoever is responsible. We are committed to promoting an atmosphere of inclusion, transparency and openness and are open to feedback from the people who use our services, carers, advocates, our staff and our volunteers with a view to how we may continuously improve our services/activities.

We will endeavour to safeguard the adults we work with and care for by:

• Adhering to our adult safeguarding policy and ensuring that it is supported by robust procedures;

• Carefully following the procedures laid down for the recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers;

• Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training;

• Implementing clear procedures for raising awareness of and responding to abuse within the organisation and for reporting concerns to statutory agencies that need to know, while involving adults at risk and their carers appropriately;

• Ensuring general safety and risk management procedures are adhered to; 

• Promoting full participation and having clear procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints;

• Managing personal information, confidentiality and information sharing; and

• Implementing a code of behaviour for staff and volunteers.

We will review our policy, procedures, code of behaviour and practice at regular intervals, at least once every three years.

Author: Z Monteith

Publication Date: 1.10.24

Approved by: John Ashe

Effective from: 1.10.24

For attention of and action by: Members of the Senior Management Team, Management Committee/Group; managers and leaders; staff and volunteers, service users; carers and advocates; and visitors.

Review Date: 1.10.27

Safeguarding Officer: Rachel Ashe