Parish of Harpenden, St. Nicholas

1. A vision for youth work in St Nicholas’ Parish.
2. Procedures for good practice in youth work.
3. Maintenance of a Parish Register for youth work.
4. Insurance.
5. Selection, guidance and review of leaders for youth work.
6. Procedures for dealing with allegations of child abuse.

1. A vision for youth work in the Parish of Harpenden, St Nicholas (the "Parish")
   Jesus said “Let the children come to me; do not stop them. For to such as these belongs the Kingdom of God.” (Mark 10.14). Jesus said “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (Matthew 18.5).
   In our ministry with young people we seek to follow Jesus’ command, helping the children and young people in our care come to him, recognizing that the Kingdom of God is not our gift to them but theirs already through God’s gracious gift.
   We recognize that through baptism our children and young people are members of the church of the present as well as the church of the future, and that their experience of God is something from which we may all learn. At the same time we also hope to share something of our experiences of God as we nurture our young people in the faith.
   So our Sunday schools, Sunday crèche and holiday clubs seek to provide worship and teaching appropriate to our young people at their different ages and stages of faith. Our choirs seek to be places where young people can find a home in the church family and exercise their musical gifts in our worship. We seek also to find ways in which young people can contribute to our worship through reading, playing musical instruments etc.
   Our Confirmation groups seek to help our young people prepare to confess the Christian faith for themselves at Confirmation, and take responsibility for their Christian discipleship thereafter.
   Our youth groups are concerned for young people growing from childhood, through adolescence, and into adulthood. They aim to provide a Christian foundation for those young people, a foundation from which they are well prepared to live in the world and make decisions for themselves.
   We appreciate our links with the uniformed groups sponsored by the churches, which provide places where young people can enjoy themselves and learn important life skills, as well as being fostered in the moral and spiritual values espoused by those organizations. We are glad to welcome our uniformed organizations into our worship.
   We take seriously our calling to encourage our children and young people in the Christian faith, and to do all that we can to help nurture them as they develop as human beings. Mindful of some other words of Jesus “If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matt. 18.6), we take seriously our duty to do all we can to prevent our children and young people from being harmed, emotionally, spiritually or physically in our dealings with them.
   
   
2. Procedures for good practice in youth work
   
   1. Those who work with our children and young people will be supported with an adequate budget, safe and suitable premises and proper insurance (see paragraph 4 below). An accident book will be provided and any accident to children and workers will be recorded and subsequently investigated to prevent a future recurrence of such an accident.
      
   2. Where events are organized which include any children under eight years of age for two hours or more in any one day and where more than six such events are held in one calendar month, registration of the group with Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) is likely to be required. Where it is intended to hold an event for two hours or more the Parish Office should be informed and asked to contact OFSTED (tel. Area 2 on 01729 693504) to see whether registration is required. Groups will need to advise the Parish Office of the location, number and age range of children, number of staff, hours of opening, and the reason for this “day care service”.
      
   3. Information regarding the groups’ activities will be sent to group members and their parent(s)/guardian(s) at appropriate intervals (e.g. termly programmes/letters for youth club/Sunday school). Attention will be drawn especially to exceptions from the group’s normal patterns, and activities held away from the group’s normal meeting place.
      Parent(s)/guardian(s) of children and young people who start coming to groups will be asked to complete a form registering their child as a member of the group, and consenting to their child’s participation in the group’s published activities (the form should ask the parent to provide medical information regarding the child and the parent should provide this if there are medical issues of which the group should be aware). Groups will keep a register book in which attendance at groups is recorded.
      
   4. At least two adults should be present at each group’s activities, to ensure that the group need never be left unattended.
      
   5. Precautions should be taken to minimize situations where a single adult is in the company of a lone child unless they can easily be observed by others nearby. Precautions should be made to ensure the safe hand-over of children to their parents at the end of activities, or that the children can safely make their own way home.
      
   6. Activities involving taking children and young people away overnight must be covered by an additional consent form specific to the event, authorizing the leaders to act in loco parentis in case of a medical or other emergency, in the event that the parent(s) /guardian(s) cannot be contacted. (The group must have full medical information where relevant. It should be ensured that arrangements have been considered for the administration of medication.) If young people will be undertaking activities not forming part of the usual activities for that group, checks must be undertaken to ensure that organizers are appropriately licensed, accredited and experienced, and also that these activities are covered by insurance. If the event is being arranged by another organization, it must be ensured that that organization can meet the above requirements and a decision made as to whose child protection policy should take precedence. All arrangements should be detailed in writing to parents, workers and young people themselves.
      
   7. So far as ratios of adults to children for activities are concerned the following guidance should be considered (Source: Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service: February 2003):
      

      Age of Child(ren)	Number of Adults	Number of Children
      0-2 years	1	3
      2-3 years	1	4
      3-8 years	1	8

      There is no official guidance with regard to ratios for children of 8+ years. The needs of the group should be considered. More adults will be required if the activity or any part of the activity takes place outdoors.
      
   8. If a child or young person needs to be disciplined, this must be done verbally, in a controlled and proportionate manner. Physical contact/restraint must be avoided unless there is danger to the child/another child/a leader. (For the protection of leaders and children it is wise, if possible, to refer a disciplinary situation to the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s) at the earliest opportunity, if necessary requesting them to remove him/her from the group’s activity perhaps for an interim period.)
      
   9. Groups, from time to time, use young helpers (aged under 18 years) at group activities. Helpers should be appointed to work with, and be responsible to approved adult volunteers (see paragraph 5.4 below) present at the group activity. Young helpers should never be left alone with children. Additionally, young helpers should not be counted in ratios of workers to children. Whilst young helpers would not need to undertake the same recruitment and selection procedures as adult teachers and helpers, all young helpers should complete a registration form (in the same way as children attending activities complete a registration form).
   
   
   
3. Maintenance of a Parish Register for youth work
   
   1. Names, addresses and telephone numbers of those who work with our young people, and the names of the group(s) with which they work are to be kept on a register at the Parish Office. One leader per group will be responsible for providing the names of all adult leaders and helpers involved with the group so that the Register may be kept up-to-date.
   
   
   
4. Insurance.
   
   1. Insurance for the children and leaders involved in our youth work will be arranged by the Churchwardens and will be paid for by the Parish. The Register will form the basis of the annual report to the PCC on youth activities and appointment of leaders. Group leaders are responsible for providing the Churchwardens with the number of children who are members of their group so that the rest of the return can be completed.
   
   
   
5. Selection, guidance and review of leaders for youth work
   
   
   1. Introduction to the Procedures
      From time to time people volunteer or are asked to become involved in our youth work. In the light of published guidelines and legislation we have drawn up the following procedures for selection, guidance and subsequent review of our youth work leaders. The procedures aim to be constructive, in providing structures for all those involved in our youth work which will help them to reflect on their work and encourage and improve it. The procedures also aim to protect our young people from the possibility of abuse, and to protect those who work with our young people from the possibility of allegations of abuse. The procedures aim to provide protection for our young people, an intention we trust all those who want to work with young people will understand, and with which they will concur, while not being so intimidating that they discourage volunteers for our youth work. These procedures refer to people aged 18 or over who wish to be involved with our youth and children’s work.
      
      
   2. The categories of individuals working with children and young people
      For the purpose of this section of the policy, those who work with our children and young people are divided into five categories:
      
      Category A
      The Clergy.
      
      Category B
      One or more named key-leaders for each group who has/have overall responsibility for its running and act as the contact person/people for the group to the clergy, whose name(s) appear on the register mentioned above in paragraph 3 (the "Key Leaders").
      
      Category C
      Assistant leaders and helpers who help the Key-Leader; those whose names appear on the group’s rotas and are regularly involved in its work, and may lead its sessions, whose names appear on the register mentioned above in paragraph 3 (the "Assistant Leaders").
      
      Category D
      Anyone asked by the Key-Leader on a one-off basis to act as a helper with a specific role with a group on a particular occasion, to be supervised by a Key or Assistant Leader.
      
      Category E
      Anyone invited in to a group in the company of the Key-Leader to see what it does or what happens in its running.
      
      It will be noted that categories B to E represent diminishing levels of responsibility for our young people. Category E represents someone interested in finding out about a group with a view possibly to becoming involved. Category D represents someone willing to help on a particular occasion in a situation where they will be supervised by a Key or Assistant Leader. Categories C and B represent people who regularly work with our young people and may work with them unsupervised. The selection policy outlined below thus becomes more stringent in the transition from category E to B.
      
      
   3. The selection of those involved with our youth and children's work
      
      Category E
      No formal child protection measures are to be demanded of people in category E. However, the full name, address and telephone contact details of the individual should be noted on the register of the event and the individual should be identified as one who wishes to learn more about the group with a view to becoming more closely involved subject to formal child protection measures being carried out (see below). The individual should not be left alone at any time with children or young people but may be present in the capacity of observer and may participate in group activities (for example, assisting with craft/art work).
      
      Category D
      People asked or volunteering to take a role in category D should be subject to the formal child protection procedures set out in paragraph 5.4 below (the "Child Protection Procedures").
      Note: in the event that, due to a shortage of time, it has not been possible to complete the Child Protection Procedures prior to the event in question, the individual should be treated as a category E volunteer (see terms above).
      
      Category C
      Those volunteering or being asked to take a role in category C will be subject to the Child Protection Procedures. Following successful completion of the Child Protection Procedures the Rector will confirm the appointment with the Key-Leader. A discussion will then take place between the Key-Leader and the applicant/volunteer, finalizing the work to be carried out by the individual and the nature of the support structures in place. A job description form (Appendix 4) will be filled in by the Key-Leader and given to the Assistant Leader.
      In the event that the Child Protection Procedures indicate that the individual is not appropriate to work with children, a decision may be taken by the Rector not to proceed and the Rector will discuss the matter with the individual before withdrawing any offer of work in the position.
      
      Category B
      Those volunteering or being asked to take a role in category B will be subject to the Child Protection Procedures. Following successful completion of the Child Protection Procedures the Priest-in-charge will confirm the appointment with the District Committee nominee and a District Warden. A discussion will then take place between the Priest-in-charge, the District Committee nominee, a District Warden and the applicant/volunteer concerning the work to be done with the group and the nature of the support structures in place. A job description form (Appendix 4) will be filled in at that point by the Priest-in-charge and given to the Key Leader.
      In the event that the Child Protection Procedures indicate that the individual is not appropriate to work with children, a decision may be taken by the Rector not to proceed and the Rector will discuss the matter with the individual before withdrawing any offer of work in the position.
      
      Category A
      Checks for Category A persons will be completed by the Diocese.
      
      
   4. Formal Child Protection Procedures
      (a) Legislative background
      The Protection of Children Act 1999 ("POCA"):
      • places the old Department of Health Consultancy Service Index (a list of those individuals considered to be unsuitable to work with children) on a statutory basis. It also provides for names to be referred to the newly created Protection of Children Act List ("POCA List").
      • amends existing legislation to enable the Department for Education to identify individuals who are included on "List 99" (individuals considered not fit and proper persons to work with children).
      • amends Part V of the Police Act 1997 to enable the Criminal Records Bureau to disclose information about individuals included on the POCA List or List 99 along with their criminal records (the so-called "one stop shop" system of checks).
      • requires each childcare organization (as defined in the POCA):
        (a) to ensure that any individual it is proposing to employ in a childcare position (as defined) is checked against the POCA List and the relevant part of List 99; and
        (b) not to employ anyone who is included on either list.
      • provides a right of appeal for individuals against inclusion on either the POCA List and/or List 99.
      
      The POCA also contains other provisions, the most important of which are:
      • to enable childcare organisations to refer names to the POCA List;
      • to permit the Secretary of State to transfer names currently held on the Consultancy Index to the POCA List.
      
      The POCA makes a distinction between childcare organizations (which are required to carry out pre-appointment checks on individuals they propose to appoint to a childcare position and which are required not to employ an individual in a childcare position if that person is included on either the POCA List or List 99) and other organizations, such as voluntary organizations, youth clubs and religious organizations. Whilst the provisions of the POCA are not mandatory for the latter, it is the Government's hope that they will take advantage of the scheme to ensure a comparable level of safety to children in their care as is afforded to children within the regulated childcare sector.
      For the purposes of the POCA a "childcare position" is one which is concerned with "..the supervision of children; and ..is such as to enable the holder [of the position] to have regular contact with children in the course of his duties", whether the position is paid or unpaid.
      Accordingly, where it is proposed that an individual is to take up a childcare position within the Parish, that individual will be checked against the POCA List and List 99. Therefore, individuals in categories A, B, C and D above will be subject to such checks.
      
      (b) The Criminal Records Bureau
      The Criminal Records Bureau's disclosure service, effective from March 2002, carries out checks against the POCA List and List 99 upon application by individual candidates for appointment. Any position which includes caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of a person under 18 years of age, will require an "Enhanced Disclosure" check to be carried out on individuals considered for appointment (this check is intended to reveal all convictions (whether spent or unspent), cautions, reprimands, warnings and, additionally, whether the individual concerned is listed on the POCA List or List 99 together with relevant non conviction information held locally by Police).
      As a voluntary organization, the Parish is not required to comply with the terms of the POCA but the Parish will take advantage of the scheme set up by the Government, including the disclosure service, in order to ensure the safety of the children in our care.
      
      (c) The Way Forward
      The procedure for carrying out Enhanced Disclosure checks will be adopted by the Parish and will replace the procedures for checking the Department of Health Consultancy Service Index set out in the previous version of these guidelines.
      An application will be made to the Criminal Records Bureau for Enhanced Disclosure for:
      (i) all individuals currently included in categories A, B, C and D above; and
      (ii) all individuals applying to commence work, paid or unpaid, in a childcare position from the date of adoption of these guidelines.
      In addition to carrying out checks through the Criminal Records Bureau, candidates will be interviewed for the position. Information regarding the candidate's previous experience of working with children and young people will be sought, references will be requested (on this respect and generally) and will be checked where appropriate. Verification of identity and address will be made against official documents (such as passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, driving licence and utility/credit card bills). Consideration will be given to the suitability of a probationary period for the candidate.
      After this policy is adopted, if existing leaders change the group with which they work, or begin working with an additional group, or change the category of their role, they may become subject to the Child Protection Procedures again.
      Existing leaders will not be “re-interviewed” for their existing posts, but will be reviewed in due course under the new procedures outlined below for guidance and review of those involved with our youth and children’s work.
      Appendices 1, 2 and 3 set out documentation which will be provided to applicants for childcare positions within the Parish.
      
      (d) The Criminal Records Bureau Code of Practice
      The Parish, as a recipient of disclosure information from the Criminal Records Bureau, is subject to the terms of the Code of Practice published by the Bureau (a copy of which is available for review at the Parish Office or at www.disclosure.gov.uk).
      Each applicant for a childcare position will be made aware of the existence of the Code of Practice and a copy will be made available for the applicant's review upon request.
      Each applicant for a childcare position will also be advised that a disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau will be required as part of the recruitment procedures and the applicant will be provided with a copy of the Parish security policy and policy covering the recruitment of ex-offenders (copies of which are attached at Appendix 2).
      
      (e) Referrals to the POCA List
      The POCA sets out circumstances where organizations must (in the case of a childcare organization) and may (in the case of a voluntary organization) refer names to the Secretary of State for consideration for inclusion in the POCA List. Where the Parish has dismissed an individual from a childcare position or where an individual has resigned or retired or the individual has been transferred from such a position in circumstances of misconduct which has harmed (by omission or commission) a child or placed a child at risk of harm, consideration will be given in consultation with the Bishop's Representative to referral of the name of that individual to the Secretary of State.
      It is a criminal offence for any person to seek work or accept work in a childcare position knowing that they are included on the POCA List. It is also an offence for an employer to offer work to or to employ a person in a child care position knowing that that person is included on the POCA List (The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000).
      
      
   5. Guidance and review of those involved with our youth and children’s work.
      
      Category A
      Clergy involved in working with young people and children will meet annually with a District Warden and the District Committee nominee to review the work within the District with children and young people. A review of the work of the clergy with young people will be a fixed agenda item for each such meeting. More frequent meetings may be initiated by either of the parties.
      
      Category B
      The Rector will make at least an annual appointment with each Key-Leader to meet to review and plan the Key-Leader’s work, and to share points of interest and concern. More frequent meetings may be initiated by either party. A new job description form may be issued if necessary. Job Descriptions will be reviewed annually by St Nicholas PCC.
      
      Category C
      The Key-Leader will convene regular meetings of the Assistant Leaders annually, and probably in many cases termly, for the opportunity of planning the group’s activities, and of sharing experiences and concerns. The Key-Leader will ensure that he/she makes the opportunity to talk individually to each Assistant Leader to review their work with the group, share experiences and discern new directions in youth work for the Assistant Leader. A new job description form may be issued if considered necessary by any of the Clergy, Key Leader or Assistant Leaders.
      The Rector, in conjunction with the Key-Leaders, will make known possible opportunities for training (e.g. Spectrum courses) as and when they occur, and encourage those involved in our youth and children’s work to make use of them.
      
      
   
   
   
6. Procedures for dealing with allegations of child abuse
   
   1. Promoting children's well-being and safeguarding them from harm depends upon effective information-sharing and understanding between agencies and professionals. The Parish recognizes the guidelines and procedures for dealing with allegations of child abuse published by Hertfordshire Area Child Protection Committee. The Parish will endeavour to co-operate with Hertfordshire Area Child Protection Committee in its work.
   2. Further procedures for dealing with allegations of child abuse by a member of the clergy or accredited lay ministry, a paid staff member or volunteer made to a member of the clergy or accredited lay ministry, a paid staff member or volunteer are to be found in Youth in Our Care published by St Albans Diocese in 1996 (pages 7-10).
   3. See Appendix 5 of these guidelines for the procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse adopted as our policy in the Parish. All paid staff and volunteers must be informed of these procedures.
   4. The key issues to note are that:
      (a) Anyone who knows or suspects that a child may be suffering, or may be at risk of suffering significant harm should always refer his or her concerns via the clergy to the child protection unit of Hertfordshire Social Services ("Children Schools and Families") at the call centre on 01438 787500. (During "out-of hours" the call will be automatically diverted to the Emergency Duty Team.) Referrals should be made via a member of the clergy, but anyone hearing an allegation should not delay reporting it if the clergy cannot be contacted;
      (b) The church is not to act as an investigating agency in the case of allegations of child abuse, whether emotional, sexual, physical or abuse by neglect;
      (c) It is the duty of anyone who hears an allegation of abuse to ensure that the child protection unit of Hertfordshire Social Services ("Children, Schools and Families") is informed and that the Bishop’s Representative for child protection is informed where the allegation relates to child abuse by a member of the clergy or accredited lay ministry, paid staff member or volunteer. (Again, all referrals should be made via a member of the clergy, but anyone hearing an allegation should not delay reporting it if the clergy cannot be contacted.)
   
   
   

• As an organization using the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, the Parish of Harpenden, St Nicholas complies fully with the CRB Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. It undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.
• The Parish of Harpenden, St Nicholas is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users of its services, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.
• This written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is made available to all Disclosure applicants at the outset of the recruitment process.
• We actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. We select all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications, and experience.
• A Disclosure is only requested after a thorough risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position concerned. For those positions where a Disclosure is required, all application forms, job adverts and recruitment briefs will contain a statement that a Disclosure will be requested in the event of the individual being offered the position.
• Where a Disclosure is to form part of the recruitment process, we encourage all applicants called for interview to provide details of their criminal record at an early stage in the application process. We request that this information is sent under separate, confidential, cover to a designated person within the Parish of Harpenden, St Nicholas and we guarantee that this information is only seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process.
• Unless the nature of the position allows the Parish of Harpenden, St Nicholas to ask questions about your entire criminal record (for example, if the position involves caring for, supervising or being in sole charge of persons under 18 years of age or vulnerable adults), we only ask about "unspent" convictions as defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• We ensure that all those in the Parish of Harpenden, St Nicholas who are involved in the recruitment process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences. We also ensure that they have received appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to the employment of ex-offenders, eg. the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• At interview, or in a separate discussion, we ensure that an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment.
• We make every subject of a CRB Disclosure aware of the existence of the CRB Code of Practice and make a copy available on request.
• We undertake to discuss any matter revealed in a Disclosure with the person seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment.

1. By children
   (a) Allegations may be made by children, or parents or carers on their behalf, direct to Childline or the NSPCC, the social services or the police. Early recognition of abuse or neglect can prevent serious harm to children, and the break-up of families, by ensuring that appropriate action is taken and help offered when it is likely to be most effective.
   (b) Any early discussion with a child should, as far as possible, adhere to the following basic principles:
         (i) Listen to the child rather than directly questioning him or her. Do believe the child.
         (ii) Never stop a child who is freely recalling significant events.
         (iii) As soon as you can, make a note of the discussion, taking care to record the timing, setting and personnel present, as well as what was said.
         (iv) A comprehensive record of all facts, events and conversations must be made on the same day as they occur. Known facts should be distinguished from allegations and opinions. This information may be required for legal purposes.
   (c) The overriding consideration must be to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child. If a report is received by a volunteer or a member of the clergy or paid staff, he or she must ensure that the report is drawn to the attention of Hertfordshire social services department at Children, Schools and Families (tel. 01438 737500). Any delay in doing this, or in alerting the department to any worries or concerns about possible abuse or neglect can increase the risk to the child. Deciding to give parents the “benefit of the doubt” can be detrimental to the protection and welfare of the child. Whilst we should seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with the family of the child concerned and, where possible, seek their agreement to making referrals to Children, Schools and Families, this should only be done where such discussion and agreement-seeking will not place a child at increased risk of significant harm.
   (d) Parents of an abused child may report a case to a church official but be reluctant to take the matter further and involve a child in court procedures. A meeting with social workers would allow parents to be informed about what might be expected of the child.
   (e) Additionally, the Bishop’s Representative must be informed of any allegation described in paragraph 2 above. The Bishop's Representative will inform the Bishop and then discuss the report with Hertfordshire's Children, Schools and Families. Social workers will then assume a primary role in caring for the child and his or her family. It is important to remember that the Church will not undertake an investigative role, but will act as a reporting agency.
   
   
2. By adults
   (a) The recall of abuse in adult survivors may be fragmentary. The abused person may appear hesitant, worried that they may be wrong, confused, vague or apologetic, because children who are victims of abuse often attempt to suppress the incidents in their mind. They may feel they are in some way to blame. They may make the allegation with the expectation that they will not be believed. Therefore treat an allegation seriously and with respect. Although a referral to Children, Schools and Families is not appropriate in such circumstances, reporting the matter to the authorities may prevent harm to other vulnerable individuals including children.
   (b) A person who receives a report from an adult of any allegation described in paragraph 2 above must ensure that Children, Schools and Families and the Bishop’s Representative is informed. The Bishop's Representative will inform the Bishop.
   (c) There may be a particular need for counseling and support and official agencies will be able to advise on appropriate support and counseling. Other specialist and independent agencies should meet this need. The decision to take legal action is for the adult.
   
   
3. By abusers
   (a) People who abuse children are practiced in deception and are unlikely to disclose such practice. However, should a priest receive a confession from someone who has abused a child, whilst the seal of the confessional remains absolute, at law the interests of the child are paramount. If, allegedly, a crime has been committed, the person making the confession should be encouraged to report the abuse to social services or the police.
   (b) A distinction needs to be made between the confession of past abuse, and a declaration of intent to abuse in the future. When disclosures are made during counseling sessions, although the client’s right to confidentiality is of the highest importance, it is not absolute. It may not be possible to maintain confidentiality if the client threatens harm to him or herself, the worker, other people or the community at large, and the client should be alerted to this fact in advance. Guidelines for doctors state that “when a doctor believes that a patient may be the victim of abuse or neglect the patient’s interests are paramount and will require a doctor to disclose information to an appropriate responsible person or officer of a statutory agency”. Similarly, a priest in such circumstances might need to consider whether a declaration regarding a future act were genuinely within the realm of confession or merely a statement of intent. The possibility of the priest becoming an accessory to a crime is also to be borne in mind.

1. People to be informed.
   (a) The Bishop will inform the Claims Manager of the insurance company as soon as he becomes aware of any allegation of abuse.
   (b) If any member of the clergy or accredited lay minister, paid staff member or volunteer becomes the respondent in civil proceedings, he or she should notify the Bishop’s Representative immediately.
   
   
2. The person accused
   (a) He or she will be barred from work with children pending the outcome of enquiries. Temporary suspension may be considered in the case of clergy, accredited lay ministers or paid staff. Alternatively the person may be asked to take leave of absence or directed to avoid unsupervised contact with children.
   (b) In some appropriate circumstances alternative accommodation may be offered, or alternative employment in a position which does not allow contact with children. Consideration will be given to the pastoral care of the accused person and also to their family.
   
   
3. Pastoral care
   (a) The police will be concerned to prevent any action which could be construed as likely to contaminate evidence. Their advice should be sought as to whether any contact with the accused person, the person who has made the allegation and/or the victim of the alleged abuse is advisable. The person responsible for the pastoral care of the accused person and his or her family, should have no contact with the person who offers pastoral care to the person making the allegation or the victim of the alleged abuse and his or her family.
   (b) Arrangements will be made for communication with, and where appropriate, the care of any congregation where an accused person is suspended from duty or asked to take leave of absence. Allegations may not be proved and the person concerned may return after suspension or leave of absence.
   
   
4. Communications
   The Bishop’s Representative will nominate one person, probably the Diocesan Communications Officer, to handle all communications with the public. All statements, including those made to congregations, should be checked by the Diocesan Registrar.

1. Clergy
   
   
   • Rev. Christopher Futcher
   • Rev. Elizabeth Inall
   • Rev. Jenny Pavyer
   
   
   
2. Parish Child Protection Representative:
   
   • Mr Richard Bird
     
     
   • District Child Protection Representative:
     • St Nicholas': Mrs Ashley Douglas
     • St Mary's: Mrs Diana Hiorns
     • All Saints': Miss Elizabeth Card
     
     
     
   • Bishops Representative for Child Protection:
     
     
   • Hertfordshire Social Services Child Protection Team:
     Children, Schools and Families 01438 737500
     (Out-of-hours calls are automatically diverted to the Emergency Duty Team.)