Child Protection Policy

MISSION STATEMENT

RCF Church Leadership recognises the importance of its ministry to children and young people and its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to the church’s care. It is our intention to protect workers (voluntary and paid) from unfounded allegations and from behaving in ways which, while well-intentioned, are inadvisable.

As part of its mission, RCF Church Leadership is committed to:

• Valuing, listening to and respecting children, young people and vulnerable adults as well as promoting their welfare and protection.

• Safe recruitment, supervision and chid protection training for all the children’s/youth workers and workers with vulnerable adults within the church.

• Adopting a procedure for dealing with concerns about possible abuse.

• Supporting those affected by abuse in the church.

• Maintaining good links with the statutory childcare authorities and other organisations.

RCF Church Leadership will ensure all workers are appointed, trained, supported and supervised in accordance with the principles set out in government guidelines “Safe from Harm” (HMSO 1993), the Criminal Records Bureau/Scottish Criminal Records Office/PECS Codes of Practice, CCPAS guidance and Church practice guidelines attached. The same principles will be applied to those appointed to work with vulnerable adults. All children’s/youth workers will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure.

 Enhanced Disclosures

This applies to the vast majority of leaders in churches and organisations working with or responsible for children. An enhanced check should be carried out on those whose work involves “regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge” of children and young people. This typically includes ministers, elders, children's or youth workers, workers in junior churches, holiday clubs, camps, residential weekends, nurseries, crèche etc.

Complying with Date Protection principles, all copies of Enhanced Disclosures will be kept in a locked filing cabinet and destroyed after six months of receipt. Failure to do so by the Child Protection Co-ordinator is a criminal offence. 

Working with Vulnerable Adults

For the purpose of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, a church/ organisation either employing or allowing a volunteer to work as someone who regularly cares for, trains, supervises or is in sole charge of vulnerable adults, should apply to the Criminal Records Bureau for an Enhanced Disclosure.

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