SACBR Child Protection policy

SAFEGUARDING YOUNG PEOPLE

The Shropshire Association is committed to ensuring that no vulnerable person attending Association activities will be put in a situation where they feel uncomfortable.

Within member towers, a commonsense approach and good tower organisation will be helpful. The Central Council Guidelines on Child Protection in Bell towers provides a clear working document for Tower Captains and those who teach children to ring. Guidelines have been circulated to towers and can be found on the Association website. http://www.cccbr.org.uk/towerstewardship/notes/GN3v5.pdf (page 6)

They should be read in the context of the Policy for Safeguarding Children in the Church of England PROTECTING ALL GOD’S CHILDREN (2010). http://www.churchofengland.org/media/37378/protectingallgodschildren.pdf (page 29) as well as the Goverment publication Safe from Harm.

There is legal requirement only for those who regularly teach bellhandling or theory face to face with one or more young people under the age of 18 to be CRB checked. This requirement applies also to teachers who are themselves between 16 and 18. If you provide lifts on a regular basis formally organised by the church or Association a CRB check must also be obtained. The application form for a check should be provided by your PCC or church office, and should be submitted by the church.

No other ringers are legally required to be checked, including those who help young ringers by standing behind or ringing with them.

Most dioceses have their own policy on child protection which Tower Captains should follow. Churches should also have an appointed person to whom any suspected cases of child abuse must be immediately reported. Tower captains should find out who this person is.

If any member has a comment or question regarding this issue, please contact Chris Fraser, on 01939 250178, or cvapo@sacbr.org.uk