Diocese of Sheffield

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Rotherham,
South Yorkshire
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BALANCE - The Diocese of Sheffield Child Protection Policy Protecting all God's Children

Balance is the handbook for everyone in the Diocese who has responsibility for work with children. Note: We use the term 'children' to mean everyone under 18, but much of what is recommended also applies to vulnerable adults.

The Church of England's position on child protection is clear and unequivocal: the welfare of the child is paramount (Children Act 1989):

The Church therefore is totally committed to the protection of children and young people in its care and will continue to adopt and develop best practice to enable that committment to be implemented (House of Bishops Policy)

The same document goes on to say:

It is important to recognise that it is people who protect and not handbooks. The purpose of all child protection activity is to create a culture of informed vigilance at all levels in the Church; by raising awareness of the issues involved, encouraging an environment of support and sharing each other's experience.

The term 'child abuse' encapsulates all the ways in which a child's health (physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual) and social development can be damaged by other people.

Below are links to Balance. Please click on each section to gain access:-

(Please note that you will need the Adobe Reader to open these files, which can be downloaded by clicking here.)

Section One of 'Balance' explains why and for whom it was written and sets out the principles on which it is based.

The responsibilities of the Church of England, the Diocese, the Parish and the Diocesan Child Protection Adviser (DCPA) are described in Section Two

Section Three tells you how to recognise when children are troubled and describes the kind of abuse they may be suffering

Section Four tells you what to do if you have serious concerns, including how to react if a child confides in you. It explains how and when to involve Social Services and the Police and what this will mean for you.

Section Five gives you advice on how to work with children and young people in the normal course of events - for your protection as much as theirs

Section Six talks about the perpetrators of abuse themselves. This section offers some pointers on how the Church, as a community, should behave towards the perpetrator, alleged or proven.

Allegations against the clergy are particularly sensitive. There are likely to be serious implications for the Diocese and the Community as well as for those directly involved, whether or not the allegations are well-founded. How to deal with these allegations is described in Section Seven

Section Eight deals with the care of adults who have been abused. Abuse leaves behind many scars which continue to cause suffering. This section gives advice if an adult troubled by such experience confides in a church member

Section Nine goes into detail about who does what when abuse is suspected or proved. It can be confusing for us as Christians to reconcile the needs of the victim and their family with the need to be, at the same time, loving and forgiving towards the (possible) perpetrator. This section describes the support mechanisms available to help people deal with these situations.

Section Ten deals with the recruitment and appointment process for both paid and volunteer posts. Good practice in this area is important anyway, but never more so than in the field of child protection.

Section Eleven follows from Section Ten and describes the reasons for using the Criminal Records Bureau and the process to be followed.

The need for good practice in health and safety matters is relevant to child protection as well as more generally. Section Twelve is about health and safety on church premises and good practice when on trips and outings.

Appendix A lists Bishop's Staff and Diocesan Officers

Appendix B lists Social Service Agencies, Police and Statutory Agencies

Appendix C contains forms to be used in the appointment of workers to work with children and young people, a covering letter to be sent to an applicant to work with children, an application form, confidential declaration and referee's letter

Appendix D contains registration and consent forms for on-site and 'away from home' activities

Appendix E contains an accident and incident report form

Appendix F contains the Youth Group Insurance Scheme application form

Appendix G contains guidance on internet and mobile phone safety

Appendix H is a checklist asking 'Is your church protecting children and those who work with them

Appendix I is about recording and using information within the Data Protection Act

Appendix J is a Health and Safety checklist

Appendix K lists agences for support, help and advice

Appendix L details the role of the named person for 'Balance'

To help explain complicated procedures (eg, what to do if a child has confided in you) we have used flow-charts where possible.

If you have any comments about the handbook, please contact the Diocesan Child Protection Adviser (DCPA) DCPASheffield@aol.com

Links

Click on the links to visit other sites dealing with areas of Child Protection:

Childline 24 hour phone helpline for children and young people
NSPCC helpine and information on all aspects of child abuse and child protection