We have agreed a policy for child protection and working with vulnerable adults. We are a SAFE FROM HARM PARISH, and we operate within: Children Act 1989; All Wales Child Protection Procedures; Safe from Harm Document; (Summary of principles in Church in Wales Code of Good Practice Page 2); Church in Wales Code of Good Practice 2002;The Diocese of Llandaff. OUR OBLIGATIONS TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE As Jesus behaved towards children in his time, we too will respect children as persons in their own right and give them special protection because of their vulnerability. We will constantly pray for our work with children & young people, with the highest standard of care. We will act responsibly and with integrity towards children and young people by not taking advantage of those in our care. We will not exploit our relationship of trust for the purposes of self-gratification. PARISH GUIDELINES FOR GOOD PRACTICE We will treat all allegations of abuse or risk of abuse, whether physical, sexual, emotional or neglect seriously. As a rule, there will always be more than one adult with one or more children or young persons whether on or off site. However, when 1 to 1 situations are unavoidable, the leader will ensure that another adult is aware of the meeting. We will observe the following ratios of adults to children: 0-2 years 1 adult to every 3 children 2-3 years 1 adult to every 4 children 3-7 years 1 adult to every 8 children 7-11 years 1 adult to every 10 children over 11 years 1 adult to every 15 children When transporting one or more children in a car or minibus we will try and arrange to have a second adult in the vehicle or when this is not possible, for adults in different vehicles to travel in convoy and keep in contact via mobile phones. We will not arrange meetings with children or young people off church premises except in the presence/ agreement of a parent or other adult. We will not smack or shake any child or young person in our care. We will avoid touching children or young persons in an inappropriate manner. Casual or occasional visitors will not have access to a child or group activities without an adult who is authorised as being responsible for the child or group. ADMINISTRATION AND BUILDINGS All persons working directly with children, will complete a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure and the diocesan CCP1 form. They will have been approved through the Parish Child Protection Procedure. We will ensure adequate insurance for both on and off site activities. When transporting children in vehicles we will ensure that the vehicle is adequately insured and that the parish is adhering to current DVLC mini bus regulations. Children's names, addresses and telephone numbers will be recorded and kept in a safe place. Parental consent forms will be completed for regular meetings and for outings; a copy of the details will be kept in the parish office when outings take place. Buildings will be checked for safety by adult leaders and fire drill procedures will be practiced. First Aid equipment is available in every church building: the Vestry or Kitchen All accidents need to be reported to the Vicar, noted and passed to him for the accident/incident file Please note the nearest public telephone and ensure that your mobile phone works If there is an incident that is causing concern, speak first to the diocesan safeguarding officer Monica Caroll on 07791271945