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Property Handbook
The
Children Act became law in October 1991 and has major implications for
those working with children in many ways. It is designed to support and
encourage good practice and safety and may have implications for church
premises. The Act applies in full in
The
principles of the Act apply to all children under 18, but the detail of the
Act applies specifically to all activities of the church involving the
under-8’s which take place for more than 2 hours a day.
If, however, these exceptions do not apply, then it will probably be necessary to register under the Act. Further advice must be sought from Ofsted who are now responsible for registration and inspection of premises to ensure suitability and safety. Information and advice can be obtained from their website or that of the DfES or from the contact detailed below. Your Local Authority should also be able to provide advice through their Early Years service and the officers concerned will generally be happy to deal with any queries. If in doubt a church should always ask.
While many churches will not be required to register under the Act, the legislation also supports and encourages good practice in all aspects of work with children of all ages. As churches we have a responsibility to protect children from the risk of injury on our premises and to help prevent the physical, emotional or sexual abuse of children and young people. We should have procedures in place to minimise situations where abuse may occur within the church and to deal with any suspected abuse wherever that may take place. All churches are encouraged to write their own policy on safeguarding which would include all aspects such as safe use of buildings, fire drills, etc. The Synod’s YCWT or YLTO will be able to provide advice and support in this and all other aspects of work with children and young people.
Every church should have, and make use of, an up-to-date copy of the Good Practice Pack, the United Reformed Church’s own guide to safeguarding children and young people in the church. The most recent edition is the 2nd Edition, published in 2001 and contains advice, check-lists, templates for forms etc.
Churches should be aware
that all newly appointed youth and children’s workers must now be checked through the
Criminal Records Bureau system.
Details of this should be in all new copies of Good Practice but if
in any doubt, contact your YCWT or YLTO or Rosemary Johnston,
Children’s Advocate at Church House. Useful publications:
Good Practice from The URC Bookshop,
Worth Doing Well from Methodist Publishing House
Safe to Grow from
The Baptist
Childminding and Daycare from Children Act Enterprises
of under-8s
Taking Care from National Children’s Bureau
Protecting Children and Appointing from Churches’
Child Protection Children’s Workers Advisory
Service Ofsted Alexandra
House
DfES (for national standards on DfES Publication daycare)
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