Child protection

Over the last twenty years there has been a transformation in the way we in England are required to relate to children. The Children Act (1989) ensured that all who work with children (those up to the age of 18) should treat them with respect and with care to enable them to thrive.

Many of those who worked on the Children Act were Christians and were employed by church agencies. They argued from their Christian perspective that

children are fully human, made in the image of God, and adults can learn from them (Mark 9:37)
children are vulnerable, needing the protection of adults. Adults should be held responsible for any harm they do to children (Matthew 18:6-7)

We need to know that all the children under our care are safe. We want our church communities to be places where children thrive. This policy has been drawn up by a group which includes the diocesan staff who work most closely with children. The policy also draws on the most recent national advice on child protection. It requires both individuals and church communities to take seriously both human goodness, and our propensity to do evil.

Since redemption and the possibility of forgiveness are so central to the gospel, the church is particularly challenged by those who commit offences against children. Some abusers see church membership as an opportunity to be close to children. Other offenders, who are genuinely penitent, will see in church communities one of the few places where they can find a new start. Experience shows that, whether penitent or not, abusers always need protecting against their own tendencies, and children need protecting from abusers. The genuine penitent will accept the need for careful arrangements for admission to church fellowship. This coheres with our understanding of sin and its effects.

This policy aims to create a culture of informed vigilance which takes children seriously. It aims to enable authorised volunteers, employed lay people and people holding the bishop's licence to work with children in confidence. Above all its purpose is to enable the children in our care to flourish.

The Policy

The Diocese of Leicester is committed to creating a culture which allows children to flourish and child protection is a priority. It does this

by maintaining its structure for managing child protection, with an established sub-committee of the Bishop's Council, the Child Protection Committee, which reviews and develops diocesan policy. The Child Protection Committee provides a risk assessment service to enable parishes and organisations to evaluate and manage any risk posed by individuals or by activities within the church.
through the Child Protection Adviser who is directly accountable to the diocesan bishop. She advises the Bishop and his senior staff on development of child protection policy. The adviser works with the Bishop when an allegation of abuse has been made on such areas which include the proper referral of cases to the statutory authorities and the support of the accused, the victim and the congregation.
through the Child Protection Officer who helps to provide training and support on child protection matters to parishes, diocesan organisations and those who hold the Bishop's Licence and maintains the records of parish policies. The Child Protection Officer belongs to the national network of officers and advisers.
through an administrative officer who processes diocesan applications to the CRB.
through the Archdeacons' responsibilities which now include the monitoring of child protection through their articles of enquiry.
through this handbook of good practice, which includes a model policy, drawing on the experience of other dioceses and parishes to enable us all to develop our work with children.

passed by Diocesan Synod May 2003

Downloads

	Download the Handbook & Model Policy (298kb)

	Download the Pocket Guide (130kb)

	Download Model Policy (MS Word - 445kb)

	Download Forms (MS Word - 2.6MB)

Amendments to Handbook 23.1.06

p 20 (17.7.07)	p 23	p 49