Advice

ADVICE

When child protection gets silly

There’s a lot of midsummer madness around when it comes to child protection, writes DAVID PEARSON, Executive Director of CCPAS – the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service. A little common sense is desperately needed ...

One summer morning last year our postman turned up at the office hopping mad. His nine-year-old daughter had been on an outing organised by a local playscheme and had returned from the trip severely sunburned.

Before she left home that morning, she had been given strict instructions from dad to protect herself from the sun, and if necessary ask the staff to help her apply the sun cream she had with her. Dad was shocked and upset by the severity of the blisters on his daughter's back and wanted to know why she hadn't asked for help. “I did, they wouldn't,” was her reply. “It's child protection!”

Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident of 'summer madness'. Such stories are recounted to us regularly by people justifiably concerned that with the high profile child protection now attracts, good sense is taking a back seat.

A teacher who attended a training seminar recently pointed out that she supervises a class of 36 children, but paradoxically, when it comes to the church Sunday school, she is not permitted to work on her own with a class of four.

Child minders, social workers and foster carers work on their own with children, but because of a fear mentality in some churches, good sense has disappeared out of the window only to be replaced by suspicion and mistrust. We have even been told of churches requiring more than one adult to be present in a children's group, not to have a positive influence, but so that one adult can scrutinise the behaviour of another, purportedly to safeguard the interests of the child.

It is sad but not surprising, therefore, that workers are becoming demoralised by this negative approach to child protection, and children's meetings are closing through lack of volunteers.

For many years, CCPAS has been the forerunner on 'good sense' child protection. Unlike other organisations that provide services to children, churches are, by their very nature unique, because they open their doors to everyone. It is 'good sense', therefore, to adopt safe recruitment procedures for both paid and voluntary workers, provide supervision, support and training, and emphasise accountability to and for other workers.

Adequate ratios of workers to children are needed and workers of each gender should, wherever possible, be involved. All workers should know how to respond where there are concerns or allegations of abuse.

When it comes to working practice, some mistakenly believe that legislation exists prohibiting physical contact with a child. It is important to remember the model Jesus portrayed when he said: “Let the little children come to me”, taking them in his arms and blessing them. Jesus was not abusing children by touching them.

With this in mind, workers should not feel they must put children at arm's length. Physical contact is unavoidable particularly when children are small, and as long as 'good sense' principles are applied, there is no reason why workers cannot work safely with children on their own, and this includes helping a nine-year-old to apply sun cream!

This 'good sense' approach to child protection can be found in the new edition of the major CCPAS publication, Guidance to Churches. Originally four sides of A4, it is now a comprehensive 100-page manual covering many areas of child protection and good working practice.

SUNCREAM TOP TIPS

Wherever possible, children should apply their own suncream, or ask a friend to help
Young children and children with disabilities may need help from an adult
If helping to apply sun cream, do so in a public place. If not, ensure children cover up or keep in the shade
Make sure parents/carers are aware of your practice. If they’re not happy, agree what would be appropriate with their child

HOT TIP

There is now sun protection spray available which doesn’t require any rubbing in and avoids the problem altogether!

INFO

CCPAS: http://www.ccpas.co.uk
Office: 0845 120 4550
24-hour helpline: 0845 120 4551
E-mail: info@ccpas.co.uk
CCPAS, PO Box 133, Swanley BR8 7UQ

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		ADVICE When child protection gets silly There’s a lot of midsummer madness around when it comes to child protection, writes DAVID PEARSON, Executive Director of CCPAS – the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service. A little common sense is desperately needed ... One summer morning last year our postman turned up at the office hopping mad. His nine-year-old daughter had been on an outing organised by a local playscheme and had returned from the trip severely sunburned. Before she left home that morning, she had been given strict instructions from dad to protect herself from the sun, and if necessary ask the staff to help her apply the sun cream she had with her. Dad was shocked and upset by the severity of the blisters on his daughter's back and wanted to know why she hadn't asked for help. “I did, they wouldn't,” was her reply. “It's child protection!” Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident of 'summer madness'. Such stories are recounted to us regularly by people justifiably concerned that with the high profile child protection now attracts, good sense is taking a back seat. A teacher who attended a training seminar recently pointed out that she supervises a class of 36 children, but paradoxically, when it comes to the church Sunday school, she is not permitted to work on her own with a class of four. Child minders, social workers and foster carers work on their own with children, but because of a fear mentality in some churches, good sense has disappeared out of the window only to be replaced by suspicion and mistrust. We have even been told of churches requiring more than one adult to be present in a children's group, not to have a positive influence, but so that one adult can scrutinise the behaviour of another, purportedly to safeguard the interests of the child. It is sad but not surprising, therefore, that workers are becoming demoralised by this negative approach to child protection, and children's meetings are closing through lack of volunteers. For many years, CCPAS has been the forerunner on 'good sense' child protection. Unlike other organisations that provide services to children, churches are, by their very nature unique, because they open their doors to everyone. It is 'good sense', therefore, to adopt safe recruitment procedures for both paid and voluntary workers, provide supervision, support and training, and emphasise accountability to and for other workers. Adequate ratios of workers to children are needed and workers of each gender should, wherever possible, be involved. All workers should know how to respond where there are concerns or allegations of abuse. When it comes to working practice, some mistakenly believe that legislation exists prohibiting physical contact with a child. It is important to remember the model Jesus portrayed when he said: “Let the little children come to me”, taking them in his arms and blessing them. Jesus was not abusing children by touching them. With this in mind, workers should not feel they must put children at arm's length. Physical contact is unavoidable particularly when children are small, and as long as 'good sense' principles are applied, there is no reason why workers cannot work safely with children on their own, and this includes helping a nine-year-old to apply sun cream! This 'good sense' approach to child protection can be found in the new edition of the major CCPAS publication, Guidance to Churches. Originally four sides of A4, it is now a comprehensive 100-page manual covering many areas of child protection and good working practice. SUNCREAM TOP TIPS Wherever possible, children should apply their own suncream, or ask a friend to help Young children and children with disabilities may need help from an adult If helping to apply sun cream, do so in a public place. If not, ensure children cover up or keep in the shade Make sure parents/carers are aware of your practice. If they’re not happy, agree what would be appropriate with their child HOT TIP There is now sun protection spray available which doesn’t require any rubbing in and avoids the problem altogether! INFO CCPAS: http://www.ccpas.co.uk Office: 0845 120 4550 24-hour helpline: 0845 120 4551 E-mail: info@ccpas.co.uk CCPAS, PO Box 133, Swanley BR8 7UQ © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.