Child Protection Guidance for Parishes
Running one off events and holiday clubs
Firstly when thinking about arranging or running any activity involving children it is important to establish that there is a sufficient ratio of adults to children available to help and be involved. This will be dependant upon various factors such as the ages of the children and whether any children or young people have special needs and on the timescale and location of the activity. Factors such as the health and safety of the children will need to be considered and proper plans made about first aid equipment, toilets, refreshment and written consents and contact details provided by the parents.
The Diocesan Child Protection Guidelines, Protecting Children from harm at page 15 outlines the factors to be considered in a providing a safe environment for children.
The leader and helpers should be recruited in accordance with the advice on recruitment in the Diocesan Guidelines and should have CRB Disclosures. It is the responsibility of everyone involved in any activity to be vigilant and alert to the importance of protecting children from a range of harm including abuse by an adult or by another child or a young person.
The advice on travelling arrangements, if moving children, contained in the Practice Guidance Note number 2 should be followed.
If the activity is overnight, everyone involved, including parents and their children if over 16yrs, should have a CRB Disclosure
If you are in any doubt about what to do, err on the side of caution and ensure that the adults involved have been recruited appropriately and that CRB Disclosures have been obtained.
Child protection is everyone's responsibility and basic common sense has a significant part to play.
Elaine Rose
Diocesan Child Protection Adviser
Revised December 2005
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