Wakefield Diocese - Child Protection

Care and protection for children, young people and vulnerable adults involved with church.

The Wakefield Diocese follows the policy of the Church of England which states that:

The Church of England, in all aspects of its life, is committed to and will champion the protection of children and young people both in society as a whole and in its own community. It fully accepts, endorses and will implement the principle enshrined in the Children Act 1989, that the welfare of the child is paramount. The Church of England will foster and encourage best practice within its community by setting standards for working with children and young people and by supporting parents in the care of their children. It will work with statutory bodies, voluntary agencies and other faith communities to promote the safety and well-being of children and young people. It is committed to acting promptly whenever a concern is raised about a child or young person or about the behaviour of an adult, and will work with the appropriate statutory bodies when an investigation into child abuse is necessary.

Under this policy it is important to recognize that it is people who protect and not policies and procedures. The aim must be to create a culture of informed vigilance at all levels in the Church by:

Raising awareness of the issues involved.
Addressing the needs of our children in all their cultural, spiritual, intellectual, racial and physical diversity.
Responding to the needs of children and adults who have been abused.
Supporting and training those who work with children, encouraging them to share their experience.
Caring appropriately for those who have abused children but are part of the church community.

Child Protection Support Group

A Child Protection Support Group oversees these matters in Wakefield diocese. The members of this group are: a Lay Chairperson appointed by the Bishop, the Archdeacons, the Diocesan Secretary, the Bishop's Chaplain, Diocesan Director of Education, Diocesan Dean of Ministry, Bishops Advisor for Children's work, a parish priest, a lay person experienced in Child Protection work, and the Bishop's Advisor for Child Protection who acts as the Groups Coordinator.

It is a legal requirement that all people who work with children, or who hold a position of responsibility in the church, should have a Criminal Record Bureau check before being allowed to do such work or hold office. The diocese acts as an "Umbrella Organisation" for such checks which are free for volunteers.

Ann Hall and Jenny Price

For further information please email the Child Protection Adviser:
Mrs Jenny Price, email whatifjennyprice@btinternet.com.
For urgent matters, please ring 07800 740001.

For routine CRB matters and checks, contact Ann Hall.
Please note that ALL CRB application forms should be sent to:
Ann Hall
Church House
1 South Parade
Wakefield
WF1 1LP

Training

Child Protection Training

Wednesday 11 June 2008 and Wednesday 18 June 2008 at West Bretton. Led by Jenny Price, Bishop's Adviser in Child Protection and the Children and Youth Team as part of the Children and Youth Pathway Training. For more information and a booking form - click here.

Child Protection - basic training for clergy

Monday 8 September 2008, 7.30pm - 9.30pm at St Peter's Gildersome. Basic 2 hour training with Jenny Price - Diocesan Child Protection Officer.

Wednesday 10 September 2008, 2.00pm - 4.00pm at the Church in West Bretton. Basic 2 hour training with Jenny Price - Diocesan Child Protection Officer.

Tuesday 16 September 2008, 7.30pm - 9.30pm at All Saints, Elland. Basic 2 hour training with Jenny Price - Diocesan Child Protection Officer.

Thursday 18 September 2008, 2.00pm - 4.00pm at St Peter's Centre, Stanley. Basic 2 hour training with Jenny Price - Diocesan Child Protection Officer.

To book - contact Revd Stephen Kelly on 01226 382550.