WOODHILL EVANGELICAL CHURCH
POLICY STATEMENT ON
THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE CHURCH

As part of its mission and ministry Woodhill Evangelical Church recognises that its work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole Church and it is committed to:

• ensuring that all children and young people have the opportunity to grow up safe from harm;

• listening to, valuing and relating effectively to children and young people;

• ensuring that its Children’s/Youth Workers are properly supported and appropriately trained in relation to child protection issues;

• encouraging and supporting parents and guardians.

Woodhill Evangelical Church has endorsed the following policy measures:

• Provision of appropriate protection for children and young people by ensuring that all personnel involved in working with children or young people are assessed as to their suitability.

• Those assessed as unsuitable to work with children or young people will not be appointed by the Church.

• The implementation of specific child protection procedures and the provision of guidance for Children’s/Youth Workers to ensure the health and well being of all young people in the care of the Church.

• Appointment of a Child Protection Team comprising of:

Child Protection Co-ordinator to oversee the development, co-ordination and monitoring of the Child Protection Policy of Woodhill Evangelical Church;

Child Protection Assistant to advise and support children and young people in the event of a disclosure, suspected or alleged abuse and to act on behalf of CPC when delegated to do so;

Church Administrator to provide administrative support and link to the Elders and Pastor.

• Recognition of the right of all children and young people to confidentiality.

• The confidential handling of information regarding the children and young people participating in the various church ministries, to prevent inappropriate disclosure.

• Subject to the requirements of the legal authorities, confidential handling of information that comes to the knowledge of Children’s/Youth Workers regarding any child or young person or their families.

• Adoption of Health and Safety procedures applicable to the ministries for children and young people in the Church's Health and Safety Policy, including:

• activities which take place in the church building;

• events, day trips and residential work;

• transport arrangements supporting all events, trips and residential work;

• provision of information to parents/guardians;

• permission of parents/guardians for children and young people to participate in activities and programmes organised by the church;

• permission of parents/guardians for emergency treatment to be given where appropriate;

• the safe handling and storage of data.