Safeguarding Office |
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RESOURCES
The following resources will be useful to anyone interested
in the area of child protection, not just office bearers,
Church staff and those in the ministries:
Publications
Child Protection Handbook
FactFile
Code
of Good Practice
Policy Statement
Disclosure Scotland Administration
Disclosure Scotland application
helpsheets
Organisations
Boys' Brigade procedures and Girls' Brigade
Central Registered Body in Scotland (CRBS)
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection
(CEOP) Centre
Childnet International
The Scottish Government
Stop
It Now
Legislation / Advice Leaflets
Child car seat law: advice and information
Children's Party Guidelines
Guidelines for managing Safeguarding
Complaints
Protecting children while on the
internet
Protection of Children (Scotland)
Act 2003
Photography and video
Church Safety in your Church Premises: a walk through guide
Recruitment
The Role
of the Coordinator and Job Description
The Volunteer
Worker Job Description (Step 1)
The
Volunteer Worker Job Description and Declaration
Registration
of Coordinator Form (SG12)
Congregational Register (SG6)
Training
Secure online Trainers' Area
Resources on this page are available to download in
Word [.doc], rich text [.rtf] and text only [.txt] formats.
Image heavy documents are provided in [.pdf] format.
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To view [.pdf] files, you will need
Acrobat Reader. This is available free by clicking
here. |
All external links on this page will take you out of
the Church of Scotland website and open a new browser
window.
Child Protection Handbook
The Child Protection Handbook was revised and distributed
free to every Church of Scotland congregation in the summer
of 2005. As of 31 July 2008, extra copies are available
to buy from the Safeguarding Office at a cost of £2.11
each (inserts only). Please download a copy of the new
order form below. For convenience we have included unit
eight of the handbook, standard forms to download below.
Due to formatting restrictions, this is available in Word
[.doc] and [.pdf] formats only.
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a copy of the order form: |
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Download unit eight of the handbook:
(contains updated Congregational Register 11 June 2009) |
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FactFile
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In the summer of 2005 the Safeguarding
Office also produced a new FactFile booklet. It
is a small, handy A5 booklet crammed full of good
advice and practical information regarding child
care and protection. The booklets are available
to buy from the Safeguarding Office at £3.50
each or three copies for £10.
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It
is anticipated that congregations will buy these FactFiles
to present to their children's workers once they have
successfully completed the recruitment process. It does
not take the place of child protection training, but
is an extremely helpful aid to take along to a training
event.
FactFile: crammed full of information and advice
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Code of Good
Practice
The following document is the office's Code
of Practice for Kirk Sessions and Congregations in the
Church of Scotland. This code consists of 13
articles which, when implemented, will help to ensure
that the Church of Scotland has taken all reasonable
steps to provide a high standard of care to children
and young people.
| Download the Code of Good Practice:
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| Download the Policy Statement: |
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Disclosure
Scotland application helpsheets
The Safeguarding Office provides the following helpsheets
for completing the Disclosure Scotland application process.
The first document offers step-by-step guidance for Coordinators
and the second step-by-step guidance for applicants, and
the third details appropriate forms of identification. Also included is a Caring for Children declaration form, and Disclosure Application coversheet to accompany all disclosure applications.
Download the step-by-step Coordinator helpsheet
(updated July 2009): |
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Download the step-by-step Applicant helpsheet
(updated March 2008): |
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Download identification checklist used for address and photographic verification: |
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Download Caring for Children declaration form(updated November 2009): |
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This form must accompany all Disclosure Applications being submitted to the Safeguarding Office.
Download the Disclosure Application Multiple Coversheet
(updated March 2009):
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This form must accompany all Disclosure Applications being submitted to the Safeguarding Office.
Steps on completing Disclosure Scotland application forms for Asylum Seekers
CRBS has recently been directed that it has a responsibility to advise their registered organisations that all disclosure applications submitted for asylum seekers must now verify to the CRBS that the disclosure applications are for the purpose of a volunteering activity and not for paid work. In response to this directive, CRBS now requires that organisations complete a declaration form when submitting disclosure applications for individuals who are asylum seekers. This is to verify that the disclosure application submitted is for the purposes of a volunteering activity. This is in addition to completing Section D1 of the disclosure application form to confirm that the position applied for is a voluntary position.
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Boys' Brigade procedures
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Details on the procedure for appointing a volunteer helper, instructor or potential officer in the Boys' Brigade, as agreed by the Boys' Brigade and the office are under review. Details of the procedure for the appointment of a leader in a Boys' Brigade are currently under construction. |
For further information you can visit the Boys' Brigade
(Scotland) website by clicking
here. Please note this link will take you out of
the Church of Scotland website and open a new browser
window.
Girls' Brigade
| The Safeguarding Office
also works closely with the Girls' Brigade and processes
disclosure applications for Girls' Brigade companies
affiliated to Church of Scotland congregations.
For further information you can visit the Girls'
Brigade (Scotland) website by clicking
here. Please note this link will take you out
of the Church of |
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Scotland website and open a new browser window.
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Central Registered Body in Scotland
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The Church of Scotland has access
to free disclosure checks through the Central Registered
Body in Scotland (CRBS). You can find out more about
the CRBS by
visiting their website here. |
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Child Exploitation and Online Protection
Centre
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre
works across the UK and maximises international links
to deliver a holistic approach that combines police powers
with the dedicated expertise of business sectors, government,
specialist charities and other interested organisations
- all focused on tackling child sex abuse wherever and
whenever it happens.
Find out more at their website: www.ceop.gov.uk
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Childnet International
The use of the internet and mobile phones enable new and
exciting ways to communicate by email, instant messaging,
online games and chat forums.
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Guidance is needed for all those using
these technologies to ensure their safety. There
are numerous websites with useful information and
tips. |
To access a link produced by Childnet International
on keeping safe while using these communication tools
click here.
To find out more about Childnet International, visit
their website: www.childnet-int.org/
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The Scottish Government
Improving the protection of children and young people
is a priority for the Scottish Government.
| If you would like to find out more
about what the Scottish Government is doing to improve
the protection of children in Scotland then visit
their website online here at www.scotland.gov.uk |
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Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
For the latest progress bulletin which provides an update on plans to implement the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme), visit the Scottish Government website at www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Young-People/children-families/pvglegislation.
Included in this issue are updates on guidance and training plans, secondary legislation and an article about the policy direction; on regulated work with children and protected adults.
For revised FAQs about the Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme, visit the Scottish Government website at www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ .
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Stop It Now
| Stop It Now is a campaign which is
aiming to prevent child sexual abuse through local
projects, national initiatives and a helpline. |
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For further information and useful links, visit their
website: www.stopitnow.org.uk
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Child car seat
law: advice and information
| A range of information, advice and
guidance is available about the new child car seat
laws in the UK on the UK Department of Transport
website. For more information, including a range
of advice leaflets to download, please visit: www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk
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Children's Party Guidelines
The Safeguarding Office has produced a Children's Party
Leaflet, which includes good practice guidelines and a
booking form. It is hoped that congregations will find
this leaflet a useful tool for 'one off lets' as feedback
has indicated that the 'Let Agreement' is too large and
cumbersome in these instances.
| Download
the Children's Party Leaflet |
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Guidelines for Managing Safeguarding
Complaints
The General Assembly of 2006 instructed the Safeguarding
Committee to produce a complaints procedure and to report
it to the General Assembly of 2007 for approval. The
Safeguarding Committee has produced 'Guidelines for
Managing Safeguarding Complaints' which outline a series
of principles to facilitate congregations in the development
of an effective complaints procedure.
The guidelines also clearly state when it is not appropriate
to use the complaints procedure. Having already been
circulated to all Ministers and Co-ordinators it is
hoped that they will be shared with all appropriate
persons on Kirk Sessions; therefore, for convenience
they are available for download below.
Download the Guidelines for Managing
Safeguarding Complaints
Safeguarding Complaints Procedure Template
'Guidelines for Managing Safeguarding Complaints' were
produced to facilitate congregations in their development
of an effective complaints procedure. The Safeguarding
Office has a template available which congregations may
find a useful reference when developing their own and
can be downloaded below.
Download
the Safeguarding Complaints Procedure Template
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Protecting children while on
the internet
The internet is a valuable educational and social tool
and has become a new form of entertainment for children.
All those responsible for the care of children or young
people should be aware of the associated risks surrounding
the use of the internet.
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The Home Office has produced a leaflet
which includes information, advice and guidance
on how to protect children while they are on the
internet. |
You can download the [.pdf] leaflet directly from:
www.psni.police.uk/parents-guide.pdf
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Protection of Children
(Scotland) Act 2003
The Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 aims to
help create safe and supportive environment for children,
young people and those working with them. The guide to
the Act, available to download below, is aimed at those
involved with voluntary organisations or groups which
provide activities for young children or young people
in the community, and the role that organisations need
to play and their responsibilities in enforcing the Act.
There are also contact details of where organisations
can get further advice about the Act, a helpline to support
voluntary organisations and an information pack. You can
download a copy of the Protection of Children (Scotland)
Act 2003 in Word [.doc] and portable document [.pdf] formats.
| Download the guide the Protection
of Children (Scotland) Act 2003: |
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Photography and video
Photographing and/or videoing children during church activities are ways of capturing significant moments. Congregations should ensure that good practice is adhered to and may find helpful the Good Practice Guidelines for use of photography/video and the consent template produced by the Safeguarding Office.
| Download the Good Practice Guidelines for use of photography/video at children’s events |
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| Download the photography/video consent template |
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Child Safety in your Church Premises
The Safeguarding Office has produced a walk-through guide to child safety on church premises, which provides a checklist of health and safety issues regarding children in church.
| Download Child Safety in Church Premises: a walk through guide |
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Recruitment
The following documents are contained in the Child Protection Handbook and are used in the recruitment of Safeguarding Coordinators and Volunteers:
| Download The Role of the Coordinator
and Job Description: |
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| Download The Volunteer Worker Job
Description (Step1): |
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Download The Volunteer Worker Job
Description and Declaration: |
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Download Registration of Coordinator
Form (SG12): |
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Congregational Register
Every Kirk Session is required to maintain an accurate record of personnel (paid and unpaid) working with children and young people. This record is checked at annual and Presbytery inspections.
The Congregational Register is contained in Section 8 of the Child Protection Handbook and was updated in June 2009. For convenience, an electronic version is available to download below, in Word [.doc] and. Excel [.xls] formats.
| Download Congregational Register: |
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Secure online Trainers' Area
The Safeguarding Office is the nucleus of an extensive
national and international network of volunteer trainers,
contact persons and coordinators, all working to protect
those most vulnerable in our congregations. This is achieved
by advising on safe recruitment, facilitating training
and supporting congregations and presbyteries with problems
and issues as they arise.
It is the long term vision
of the Safeguarding Office to utilise the Church of
Scotland's extranet site to its full potential and facilitate
communication through this medium with the wider safeguarding
network. This communication will include information
sharing and discussion. Initially this facility will
be made available to the training network. Progress
will be monitored and evaluated before extending the
service further.
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![Home Office [.pdf] leaflet](./images/safeguardingresourcesinternet.jpg)
