Resources

RESOURCES

Churches' child protection service couple host 1,000th seminar

David and Pauline Pearson this month reached the milestone of their 1000^th child protection training seminar on behalf of the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS), one of the UK’s leading experts in advising and training Christian and secular organisations in child protection practices.

The event took place late last month, was filmed and will become part of a new in-house training pack for churches and children’s organisations throughout the UK and beyond.

CCPAS was founded by David Pearson in 1983. A pioneer in developing safe and effective protection policies for children, its work has been recognised by the government and it works closely with the police, local authorities, the probation service and churches throughout the UK.

The 1000^th seminar, Facing the Unthinkable, took place in CCPAS’s home town of Swanley, and was presented by David Pearson, Executive Director of CCPAS, who has nearly 40 years' experience in the area of child protection, together with Pauline Pearson, a counsellor who works with both children and adults who have experienced abuse.

Facing the Unthinkable seminars are designed for all who work with children in and around the UK and beyond, including those in a church setting – for example youth and children’s workers, Sunday School helpers and church leaders. They provide invaluable guidance on child protection in the Church. Drawing on Government documents such as Safe from Harm and Working Together to Safeguard Children, the seminars look at the different forms of abuse and how to recognise the signs and symptoms. Most importantly they give clear and practical guidance on how churches should respond to children who may have been abused.

Those attending will be given advice on preventative measures, such as how to develop a safe environment for children in their churches, as well as guidelines for preparing child protection policies, information on the role of Social Services and the Police and safe recruitment for workers and leaders. The seminar is supported by a range of relevant books and resources, and access to CCPAS’s 24-hour helpline staffed by experienced child protection social workers.

David Pearson, 60, says: "We have been running Facing the Unthinkable seminars since 1990, and we thought it appropriate to have the 1000^th in our home town of Swanley, where we have had so much help and support from local churches and others over the years.

"The purpose of these seminars is to help make the Church a safe place for children. Every church must have a child protection policy in place which does not then simply gather dust, but is put into practice and used consistently by all its workers and volunteers. This is to help make our churches safe for all who come through its doors."

Facing the Unthinkable was the inspiration of David Pearson and CCPAS now runs approximately 100 seminars each year across the UK. The event in Swanley is one of a number of events that CCPAS have arranged across the UK during 2005.

The charity continues to be a key force in developing child protection policies for the Church. Its materials and guidelines are followed by thousands of churches, across every major denomination in the UK, as well as a number of secular organisations and other faith groups.

CCPAS has also taken a lead in developing procedures for other pastoral activities such as how churches can care for those with learning and physical disabilities. It recognises that although churches may want to stretch themselves in their efforts to reach out to their communities, the safety of children must come first and this desire must not come at the expense of an effective child protection policy.

For more information or to book a place at one of the Facing the Unthinkable seminars, please contact Karen Ledger at CCPAS head office on 0845 120 4550 or visit the CCPAS website at www.ccpas.co.uk. Individual bookings cost £16 per person (includes training and a free workbook). Group rates available.

Seminars for the rest of 2005 include

12, 13 July   London
10 September   Sheringham, Norfolk
17 September   Canterbury
20 September   London
24 September   Romsey, Hampshire
1 October         Billingshurst, W Sussex
8 October         Tamworth, Staffs
9 October         Bradford
29 October        London
5 November     Sutton Coldfield
6 November    Southampton
19 November    Letchworth
26 November    Welling, Kent
3 December      Harrietsham, Kent

© 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.


		RESOURCES Churches' child protection service couple host 1,000th seminar David and Pauline Pearson this month reached the milestone of their 1000^th child protection training seminar on behalf of the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS), one of the UK’s leading experts in advising and training Christian and secular organisations in child protection practices. The event took place late last month, was filmed and will become part of a new in-house training pack for churches and children’s organisations throughout the UK and beyond. CCPAS was founded by David Pearson in 1983. A pioneer in developing safe and effective protection policies for children, its work has been recognised by the government and it works closely with the police, local authorities, the probation service and churches throughout the UK. The 1000^th seminar, Facing the Unthinkable, took place in CCPAS’s home town of Swanley, and was presented by David Pearson, Executive Director of CCPAS, who has nearly 40 years' experience in the area of child protection, together with Pauline Pearson, a counsellor who works with both children and adults who have experienced abuse. Facing the Unthinkable seminars are designed for all who work with children in and around the UK and beyond, including those in a church setting – for example youth and children’s workers, Sunday School helpers and church leaders. They provide invaluable guidance on child protection in the Church. Drawing on Government documents such as Safe from Harm and Working Together to Safeguard Children, the seminars look at the different forms of abuse and how to recognise the signs and symptoms. Most importantly they give clear and practical guidance on how churches should respond to children who may have been abused. Those attending will be given advice on preventative measures, such as how to develop a safe environment for children in their churches, as well as guidelines for preparing child protection policies, information on the role of Social Services and the Police and safe recruitment for workers and leaders. The seminar is supported by a range of relevant books and resources, and access to CCPAS’s 24-hour helpline staffed by experienced child protection social workers. David Pearson, 60, says: "We have been running Facing the Unthinkable seminars since 1990, and we thought it appropriate to have the 1000^th in our home town of Swanley, where we have had so much help and support from local churches and others over the years. "The purpose of these seminars is to help make the Church a safe place for children. Every church must have a child protection policy in place which does not then simply gather dust, but is put into practice and used consistently by all its workers and volunteers. This is to help make our churches safe for all who come through its doors." Facing the Unthinkable was the inspiration of David Pearson and CCPAS now runs approximately 100 seminars each year across the UK. The event in Swanley is one of a number of events that CCPAS have arranged across the UK during 2005. The charity continues to be a key force in developing child protection policies for the Church. Its materials and guidelines are followed by thousands of churches, across every major denomination in the UK, as well as a number of secular organisations and other faith groups. CCPAS has also taken a lead in developing procedures for other pastoral activities such as how churches can care for those with learning and physical disabilities. It recognises that although churches may want to stretch themselves in their efforts to reach out to their communities, the safety of children must come first and this desire must not come at the expense of an effective child protection policy. For more information or to book a place at one of the Facing the Unthinkable seminars, please contact Karen Ledger at CCPAS head office on 0845 120 4550 or visit the CCPAS website at www.ccpas.co.uk. Individual bookings cost £16 per person (includes training and a free workbook). Group rates available. Seminars for the rest of 2005 include 12, 13 July London 10 September Sheringham, Norfolk 17 September Canterbury 20 September London 24 September Romsey, Hampshire 1 October Billingshurst, W Sussex 8 October Tamworth, Staffs 9 October Bradford 29 October London 5 November Sutton Coldfield 6 November Southampton 19 November Letchworth 26 November Welling, Kent 3 December Harrietsham, Kent © 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.