Policy statement on children, young people and the church

It will be reviewed annually at the church A.G.M. held in the month of February where progress in carrying it out will be monitored.

Children and young people are part of our church today. They have much to give as well as to receive. We will listen to them. As we nurture them in worship, learning, and in community life, we will respect the wishes and feelings of children and young people.

• As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all, especially children and young people.
• It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children and young people, and to report any abuse discovered or disclosed.
• We recognise that our work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church.
• The church is committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who work with children and young people, and to providing supervision.
• The church has drawn up guidelines based on the Home Office Code of Practice "Safe from Harm" and the guidelines and principles published by the Baptist Union of Great Britain in its booklet "Safe to Grow".
• Each worker with children and young people must know the recommendations, and undertake to observe them. Each shall be given a copy of the church's agreed procedures and Good Practice guidelines. (We will have provision for induction sessions for newly appointed children/youth workers.)
• As part of our commitment to children and young people the church leadership will seek to support and encourage the leaders, children and young people.

YOUNG PEOPLE'S VERSION

The church, and all the activities carried out within it, believe that children and young people are part of the church today. They have as much to give as they have to receive and we will listen to them. As we meet with children and young people in the different activities we will respect their wishes and feelings.

• We all have the responsibility for the protection and safekeeping of children and young people.
• We are all responsible to prevent all types of abuse of children and young people and to report any which may be discovered or disclosed.
• There are set guidelines, approved by the church, for all people who work with children and young people and all leaders have agreed to follow them. (A full copy may be seen in the church office.)
• If you have any concern about the safety or well being of any child or young person you should discuss it with an appropriate youth worker.
• The church will regularly check that these procedures are working properly and continue to provide the support, training and supervision necessary for those people who work with children and young people.

Good Practice Guidelines for all involved with youth work

THE DOs

• DO treat everyone with respect
• DO provide an example you wish others to follow
• DO plan activities which involve more than one other person being present, or at least which are within sight or hearing of others
• DO respect a young person's right to privacy
• DO provide access for young people to talk to others about concerns they may have
• DO encourage young people and adults to feel comfortable and caring enough to point out attitudes or behaviour they do not like
• DO maintain a healthy adult lifestyle
  DO remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well intentioned
• DO recognise that caution is required even in sensitive moments of counselling, such as when dealing with bullying, bereavement or abuse

THE DON'Ts

• DO NOT permit abusive youth peer activities such as initiation ceremonies, bullying
• DO NOT play physical contact games with young people
• DO NOT have any inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others
• DO NOT jump to conclusions about others without checking the facts
• DO NOT allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour such as tantrums or crushes
• DO NOT exaggerate or trivialise child-abuse issues
• DO NOT show favouritism to any individual
• DO NOT make suggestive remarks or gestures
• DO NOT rely on just your good name to protect you
• DO NOT believe "it could never happen to me"
• DO NOT give lifts in a car if in a one to one situation

You might also want to look at our vision for youth work or look at our church profile.