GUIDELINES ON CHILD PROTECTION

In The Context Of Bellringing

These guidelines have been prepared to provide a working document for Tower Captains and those teaching children to ring.  They are not intended to be exhaustive and should be read in the context of the Church of England House of Bishops’ Policy on Child Abuse and equivalent documents from other churches as well as the Government publication ‘Safe from Harm’, and the guidance issued by the diocese and your parish church.

Introduction

Most dioceses have their own policy on child protection, which tower captains should follow.  Churches should also have an appointed person to whom any suspected cases of child abuse must be immediately reported.  Tower Captains should find out who this person is.  Some churches have a procedure for carrying out police or other checks and taking up references on anyone likely to be responsible for looking after children in the tower.

Suggested Guidelines

• Always have two adults present when children are being taught.
• Invite parents of any trainees to watch a training session before allowing their child to start to learn.  Require a parent to attend the first training session and ensure that the parent fully understands what is involved in learning to ring.
• Make sure a parent is responsible for delivering the child to and collecting the child from the tower.
• Ask parents to sign a “permission to ring” form.
• Keep an attendance register.
• Be aware of the insurance position for children.
• Never allow children up amongst the bells apart from an initial demonstration visit if it is safe to have one.
• For tower outings get parents to sign a detailed permission form.  Organisers should be aware of Health and Safety and other issues: for example, it is inadvisable for a child to travel alone in a car with an adult.

Points to check

• Church insurance – does the policy have a lower age limit?  In some churches this is 12 years of age.
• Is it possible to prevent inquisitive children from wandering up amongst “up” bells?
• Is there a Health and Safety Policy?  Is it reviewed regularly?  Is there an accident logbook?  Is there a first aid kit for minor accidents?
• Are you aware of any medical conditions affecting the children being taught?  For example, epilepsy, diabetes.
• Is there an attendance register?
• Find the name of the church’s appointed person and the procedure to be followed in the event of a child making a disclosure about possible abuse.  Always follow up such allegations, avoid detailed questioning of the child and never promise confidentiality.