safeguarding

Antrim Baptist Church organises and is responsible for several youth groupings. Legally a child is anyone is under the age of 18.

 

The Church is committed to providing a safe environment in which children and young people in each of our youth groups can feel secure in relationships with caring Christian Leaders.

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3:1 Our code of practice

• Treat children and young people with dignity.

• Value each child and young person and recognise the unique contribution that they each can make.

• Provide an example we wish others to follow.

• Respect a young person’s right to personal privacy.

• Use appropriate language with children and young people.

• Be aware that someone else might misinterpret our actions, no matter how well intentioned.

• Recognise that special caution is required in sensitive moments of counselling, such as dealing with bullying, bereavement or abuse.

• Endeavour to plan activities which involve more than one person.

• Never jump to conclusions about others without checking the facts.

• Never allow ourselves to be drawn into inappropriate attention-seeking situations.

• Never exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues.

• Ensure that at least two adults are present at all times in any situation where

  children and young people are in our care.

 

3:2 The principles of good practice

A number of principles of good practice for the protection of children have been identified by child care professionals and voluntary organisations.

 

These principles of good practice state simply and clearly that all voluntary organisations working with children should:

1. 1Promote the general welfare, health and development of children and strive to protect them from abuse of all kinds.

2. Recognise that children have rights as individuals and treat them with dignity and respect.

3. Raise awareness of the abuses from which children should be protected.

4. Adopt and consistently apply a clearly defined method of recruiting, assessing and selecting staff and volunteers.

5. Recognise that all workers, voluntary or paid, have rights and treat them with dignity and respect.

6. Plan the work of the organisation so as to minimise opportunities for children to suffer harm.

7. Develop effective procedures for dealing with accidents and complaints and alleged or suspected incidents of abuse.

8. Establish links with parents and other relevant organisation

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General guidelines for youth leaders/workers

At all meetings of the organisation the leader in charge should ensure that all leaders are aware of the specifics of the programme and are clear about another’s delivery of them.

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Parents should be supplied with the name and telephone number of the leader in charge of the organisation.

Periodically throughout the year the leaders of the organisation should review their work against the church’s safeguarding policy.

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Ensure that there is a contact address and telephone number for each child or young person who regularly attends the organisation. Leaders should endeavour to ascertain any special needs of a child.

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Arrange programmes which are planned well in advance.

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Use appropriate language with children and young people, taking into consideration the sensitivities of all present, including any from differing ethnic or racial backgrounds.

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At the commencement of the session all organisations must be aware of the Antrim Baptist Code of Behaviour (see appendix 5). The leaders must enforce this code with an agreed appropriate level of discipline.

 

All information recorded relating to young people e.g. parental consent forms must be kept confidential.

 

All organisations should meet the following ratio of leaders to children or young people. A record should be kept of any occasion when this ratio is exceeded and the reasons noted.

0-2 years
2-3 years
4-7 years
8 years & over

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1 leader to 3 children 1 leader to 4 children 1 leader to 8 children

1 leader to 10 children

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Please note that helpers under the age of 18 do not count towards this ratio and must never be expected to assume the same responsibility as an adult leader.

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Where possible organisations should record the names of the young people at the beginning of each meeting of the organisation so that in the event of a fire/evacuation, all can be accounted for.

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Leaders in charge should be aware that they cannot appoint leaders, (although they may approach people to serve in that capacity). The procedure for appointing leaders is outlined in section 9 of this policy.

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3:4 Self Protection Guidelines for Leaders

Do

• Have an appropriate mix of male and female leaders.

• As far as possible ensure that leaders are not left alone in a closed room, particularly a sleeping area or bathroom, with a child or young person. Either have another leader present, or keep the door open and inform the leaders where you are, why you are there and who is with you.

• If any banter takes place, it is important that the leaders ensure that:

• The child or young person enjoys it, feels it is fun, but still feels respected.

• The child or young person does not feel threatened or intimidated by it.

• It is appropriate banter – not nasty or highlighting areas that the child or young person may feel are their weaknesses.

• It does not have the potential for other children to use it in an inappropriate or hurtful way e.g. where it turns into taunting or name calling.

• Respect a young person’s right to personal privacy.

• Remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well intentioned.

• Recognise that special caution is required even in sensitive moments of counselling, such as when dealing with bullying, bereavement or abuse.

• Plan activities which involve more than one other person being present, or at least which are within sight or hearing of others.

• Use your common sense.

• Where a child or young person makes an allegation or a disclosure of child abuse, this must be reported to the leader in charge, who will then take appropriate action.

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Do not

• Do not engage in rough physical or sexually provocative games, includinghorseplay, wrestling, tickling etc.

• Do not permit abusive youth peer activities e.g. initiation ceremonies, bullying etc.

• Leader involvement in some physical contact games is inappropriate and caution should always be exercised with all similar activities.

• Do not believe “it could never happen to me”.

• Do not make suggestive remarks or gestures even in fun.

• Do not allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour such as tantrums or crushes.

• Do not rely on your good name to protect you.

• Do not allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any sort.

• Do not allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged.

• Do not do things of a personal nature for children that they can do for themselves. Whenever possible avoid taking young children or young people alone in a car on journeys, however short. Try to ensure that another leader or other children/young people are with you. If a situation arises that you have to transport a child home, ensure that other leaders know what is happening and that the child is in the rear seats.

• It may sometimes be necessary for leaders to do things of a personal nature for children, particularly if they are very young or disabled. These tasks should only be carried out with the full knowledge and consent of parents. In an emergency situation which requires this type of help, parents should be kept fully informed.

• Do not allow the inappropriate use of computers, tablets, phones or other digital communications devices. See Section 11.

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3:5 Guidelines on General Safety

Safety is of prime importance during any activity. It is not only the responsibility of the leader in charge but of every worker. All workers should be familiar with and follow the Antrim Baptist Health and Safety Policy.

You should be aware of the following guidelines:

1. Always do a quick risk assessment e.g. have a quick initial look around the premises you are about to use to identify any possible dangers e.g. a stack of chairs which could topple, an electric cable which could trip etc.

2. Be aware of the location of fire exits and ensure that they are not obstructed. Occasional fire drills should be conducted to ensure that all young people know what evacuation procedure to follow in the event of a real fire. Know where the nearest fire extinguishers are located. In the event of a fire, evacuating the building and saving life is much more important than fighting a fire.

3. A telephone should, where possible, be installed on the premises for safety purposes. Ensure that at least one of the leaders is carrying a mobile phone during sessions.

4. If at all possible it is helpful to have someone with a First Aid qualification.
   Where possible workers should be aware of what medication children are currently taking and this should not be given without written consent from parents or doctors. Workers should also seek to obtain information concerning allergies and reaction to foods e.g. peanuts. Medication should be clearly marked, out of the reach of children, and securely locked away.

5. Young people should be supervised at all times by a worker while in a kitchen area.

6. There should be adequate supervision by a worker of certain equipment e.g. table tennis

   tables, snooker tables etc.

7. During games or “icebreakers” be aware of the risks of physical injury and guard against

   these. A risk assessment should be carried out by the leader.

8. When using special equipment for your programme e.g. for “one off” activities such as

   trampolining, bouncy castle etc., ensure there is adequate supervision by trained workers. You may also require special insurance to cover these higher risk activities. Be aware of the physical environment and remove/avoid items which may cause injury during the said activity.

   If the organisation is undertaking what is deemed to be high risk activities the

   leaders/helpers must seek written permission from parents/guardians in advance.

9. Areas where maintenance work is taking place should never be used.

10. Know where the accident report book is kept in which you should record details of

    accidents/injuries/witnesses/date.

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3:6 Guidelines on Transport

1. Private cars
a) Drivers must be insured to drive the vehicle.

b) Cars must not be overcrowded as insurance cover will be invalidated (one child per seatbelt )

c) Seat-belts must be worn at all times.

d) Booster seats must be used when travelling by car in line with relevant legislation. In Northern Ireland children under 12 years old or less than 4’5” / 135cm in height must use a booster seat.
The exceptions according to the law are:

- When travelling by taxi
- When there are already two booster seats in the back and no room for a third Where there is an ‘unforeseen circumstance’ e.g. giving a child a lift home when their parents have not turned up.

 

2. Leaders cannot charge for transporting children or their insurance will be invalidated. (Note that a contribution by the organisation to cover petrol costs is acceptable)

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3. ‘R’ drivers must not transport anyone under 18 and all drivers should have at least 3 years’ driving experience if transporting children.

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Always ensure that you are not alone in your car with a child. If this is not possible when leaving a child home, inform another leader of where you are going and have the child sitting in the rear seats. It is good practice to text the child’s parent as you are about to leave.

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If travelling in groups ensure each leader knows which children they are responsible for.

Written parental consent must be obtained if transporting children to an event.

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3:7 Residential programmes and sleep overs.

Residential programmes often become the highlight of any organisation’s youth programme. Whilst recognising the tremendous impact residential trips can have on a young person’s emotional, physical and spiritual development the leader in charge should note the following:

The Residential Centre

1. The Centre must have adequate insurance cover regarding your group and the activities your group hopes to engage in. Insurance should especially cover high risk activities e.g. canoeing, rock climbing etc

2. The Centre should inform you of its rules and regulations. Make every effort to be aware of its timetable e.g. whether it has a lights out time, meal times, what time it expects the group to arrive and to depart.

3. The Centre must provide access to First Aid/GP in the event of an emergency.

4. The Centre must also provide separate sleeping accommodation for males/females.

5. Parental (or guardian’s) consent is essential when taking any young person away as part of a residential programme. A parental consent form (appendix 1) must be signed by the parent/guardian and it should also give any relevant medical information e.g. allergies, special diets etc.

6. Before taking a group away, ensure that parents/guardians are aware of the following.

 

• The programme/activities their child is encouraged/expected to participate in.

• The name and number of leaders/helpers accompanying the group. (Where possible it is advisable to arrange a pre-residential briefing for the parents, giving information and allowing the parents an opportunity to meet the leaders /helpers).

• The Centre telephone number and address

• What basic rules the young people will be asked to abide by, and possible consequences if these are broken.

• What clothes and other items the young people might be expected to need.

• How much pocket money might be sufficient (it is advisable to set a limit on this)

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Young people must have parental/guardian consent to participate in the residential its activities.

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1. The young people should be fully informed of the nature of the residential, i.e. what is expected from them.

2. They should never be coerced/forced into any activity with which they are uncomfortable.

3. They may be allowed to help formulate rules and a contract for behaviour and will be made aware of sanctions in the event of them being broken.

   Using Church Halls for Accommodation

   If church halls are being used for accommodation, certain factors need to be taken into consideration:

4. In the interest of fire safety ground floor accommodation is considered preferable for sleeping.

5. There must be appropriate male/female segregation and supervision.

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There should be at least two separate routes leading from the sleeping accommodation and out of the building. A room with two exit doors leading into a corridor, from which the only exit could be impeded with smoke and fire, could not be considered acceptable.

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Doors should be checked for ease of opening in an emergency. Exits should be clearly marked, unblocked and pointed out. Clear instructions in the event of a fire should be given to both young people and leaders/helpers.

Portable heating appliances should not impede exits and should be turned off during sleeping hours.

Leaders/helpers should have torches in case of power failure. There should be a “no smoking” rule applied to the premises.

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If there is a telephone in the church the leaders/helpers should have access to it. If not, they should be aware of the nearest telephone.

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Leaders/helpers should avoid staying on their own with a young person. Always be sure that there are other leaders/helpers or young people present.

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Sleeping accommodation for leaders/helpers and young people, where possible, should be separate, but the young people’s accommodation ought to be easily accessible.

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A roll of occupants should be prepared and placed just within the exit door. Occupants should be instructed to meet at a pre-determined assembly point in the event of an outbreak of fire and a roll call should be taken.

Do not park cars where they would obstruct exit routes or access for fireappliances.

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3:8 Photographs

Since the introduction of the Data Protection Act in 1998, churches must be very careful if they use photographs, videos and webcams of clearly identifiable people.

The following guidelines should be adhered to:

• Permission (verbal or written) should be obtained from all the people (children and

  adults) who will appear in a photograph, video or webcam image before the

  photograph is taken or footage recorded.

• It should be made clear why that person’s image is being used, what use you will

  make of it, and who might want to look at the pictures.

• Children and young people should not be identified by name or other personal

  details. These details include email, phone or postal addresses.

• When using photographs of children and young people, it is preferable to use group

  pictures.

• Carefully consider location and pose.

• Do not insist that a child participates.

• Obtain written consent from parents or carers before using photographs on a website.

• Individuals should not take photos at church events or post any photos on line

   

Young people taking photographs of each other

Leaders should encourage young people to be sensible when taking photos or videoing each other, especially if they are to be posted on the internet. Young people should be encouraged to let their friends know if their intention is to post photographs online, giving them the opportunity to object. Young people may need to be reminded that once photographs are on the internet they have no control over where they end up. Organisation leaders may want to include this issue in their code of conduct.

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3:9 Technology

In an increasingly complex world the opportunities for child abuse are growing. Those who care for children need to be aware of the opportunities for abuse through the misuse of the internet, text messaging, video and other media. While good use of such media can be beneficial, we must be vigilant and alert to the possibilities of misuse and the consequent harm to young people that can result. The following guidelines are given.

1. Using computers

   • Organisation leaders should agree upon the primary purpose of using computers as part of their programme. For example, is it primarily used for the purposes of research in a homework club or recreational games as part of the youth club?

   • Leaders to agree which websites are suitable and which websites are unsuitable for the age group of children that they are working with.

   • Computers need to be secure with up to date virus checkers and appropriate parental controls. When young people are using computers on church premises they should be well supervised.

2. Children and the Internet

   • The safety of children using computers should be paramount and care exercised so that safety of the online safety of the child is not compromised. Children need to be aware of online safety in the same way they are taught road safety.

   • As well as the prevalence of online grooming, children can often be the victims of cyber bullying. Bullying through the use of social media can be more intense and more difficult to escape than bullying children experience within the playground or school.

3. Communication via the internet

   • Working with young people often requires a balancing act between being part of the world in which they live, in order to reach them, and yet maintaining a leadership role. In order to understand young people, it is important to live in their culture and at the same time be a role model to them. No place is this balancing act more difficult to get right than in the area of technology, namely the internet and, in particular, social networking sites, blogs, micro-blogs and other public domain publishing methods. If used well, methods of communication via the internet can be effective tools in youth ministry. For example, social networking sites have a group facility which allows online groups to meet in a virtual space where all information and comments are seen by everyone in that group but no-one else.

   • It is worth noting that everything posted on the internet – comments, opinions and photos – can potentially be seen and copied by anyone else using the internet. Social networking sites have privacy settings for this reason and these limit what any other person, whom you have not accepted as a friend, can view. Leaders should think carefully before adding a child or young person in the organisation in which they are leaders, as a friend or follower on a social networking site. If a leader does choose to accept a child or young person as a friend or follower, it is important always to remember that the child or young person has access to all comments, opinions, information and photos which are posted on the leader’s profile, either by the leader or by their other friends. Leaders are recommended to evaluate photos of themselves that are posted on these sites and consider deleting or ‘untagging’ any photos in which they are depicted in what could possibly be construed as compromising situations, thus preventing the photograph or other material being used inappropriately.

• Leaders should not post photographs of young people from the organisation in which they are leaders, on a social networking site or anywhere on the internet.

• Comments made on the internet should be considered the same as if they were made in a public place. If a child discloses something to a leader via a social networking site, a chat room or any other public domain publishing method, then the disclosure must be dealt with by following the normal reporting process. If a leader is concerned about something that a young person communicates to him or her via the internet, he or she should encourage the child to talk to a suitable adult about it or arrange to meet with the child (within the usual child protection parameters). It would be wise for leaders not to get involved in lengthy or intense engagements online, setting boundaries is encouraged. While communication via the internet can be highly effective, all such communication with children and young people should, as far as possible, be within an open forum, in order to protect both young people and leaders.

• Avoid communication via video calling or visual apps.

1. Communication via mobile phones

   • Be aware of the opportunities for abuse through the misuse of mobile phone and text messaging.

   • Leaders must also take care to protect themselves and the Office Bearers should take an active role to ensure that good practice is followed.

   • Leaders involved in youth work should only have mobile numbers if the nature of their involvement requires them to phone or text young people.

   • Leaders should not contact children under the age of 11 by mobile phone.

   • Parental permission should be sought if the leader will be contacting young people

     via mobile phone.

   • If a leader has a young person’s phone number it should only be used for the

     purposes it has been given i.e. the leader should not share this information with other church members.

2. Texting - communication not conversation!

   • Texts should be used for the purposes of reminding young people about events which are forthcoming.

   • Texts can also be used as a means to encourage young people if it is appropriate e.g. ‘hope exam goes ok’.

   • If it turns into a conversation, communications should be ended. A leader can suggest discussing the subject further at the next event or, if they are concerned about the young person arrange to meet up to talk further (within the usual child protection parameters).Consideration should be given to using one way texting application services (eg. Textanywhere.com).

   • Ensure that texts are sent at reasonable hours i.e. between the hours of 9.00a.m. and 9.00p.m.

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