SoulrootsSafeguarding PolicyAims of policy

·To ensure that representatives of the Soulroots play an active part in safeguarding theyoung people they work with·To ensure that representatives of Soulroots work in a way which safeguards them fromwrongful allegations of abuse

Ethos

Soulroots will actively promote the safeguarding and well being of all young people with whomthey come into contact with. Soulroots will aim to create a safe, caring, Christian environmentwhich prevents the physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual abuse or neglect of young people.

Recruitment

It is the policy of Soulroots that all persons working with young people under the banner of Soulroots are checked by the criminal records bureau (CRB) every 3 years for their suitability towork with their client group. Those with regular direct contact with children and young peoplewill apply for an enhanced disclosure. Any person with a criminal record relating to offencesagainst children will not be able to work with Soulroots in any capacity. Where there are other offences shown on the CRB, at least 2 representatives from one of the trusts will make adecision as to suitability, seeking advice where necessary. Consideration of type of offence andhow long ago offence was committed will be made. If such as person is appointed, notes will bemade and kept explaining the decision.If an allegation against any member of staff or volunteer is made, that person will be suspendedfrom duty pending investigation by the Soulroots management group who may seek advice fromthe Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor.At times, speakers or visitors from within or out of the churches may be asked to contribute to agroup or event. These people do not need to have a CRB disclosure but will not be allowed tooperate in a room without a CRB checked adult. If a person’s involvement becomes moreregular, they will be asked to apply for a CRB disclosure and treated as any other leader.

Risk Assessment

All activities run by Soulroots will be risk assessed to ensure all participants, including Soulrootsstaff and volunteers are safe at all times. The trustees of Soulroots have appropriate insurancefor all activities undertaken by Soulroots and designate a lead trustee for each event/group.Consent forms which ask for medical information are obtained as soon as is possible after ayoung person starts to attend a Soulroots group. In the meantime, a young person is asked tosupply some basic information about themselves which allows a leader to contact their parent/guardian/carer in the event of an emergency.

Training

All Soulroots staff and volunteers will undertake basic child protection training every 3 years.This training will give those working with young people the necessary skills and knowledge toidentify possible signs of abuse and what to do in the event of a disclosure from a youngperson. Leaders are also asked to sign a declaration that they have read this policy and agreeto adhere by it.

‘Soulroots’ is the operating name of ‘Churches for Youth in Sheffield 17’a registered charity (registered number 1087814)

General issues

Soulroots staff and volunteers will actively promote the inclusion of all young people they workwith on an equal basis regardless of gender, race, disability or sexuality. They will seek to foster relationships with the young people they work with so as to encourage young people to feel safein the activities they do together. They will also seek to be approachable so as to support youngpeople in whatever they bring to the groups they are a part of.The number for Childline will be displayed and promoted in locations where young people meetregularly. If young people or parents have any concerns about the actions of a member of theSoulroots staff and volunteer team, they can contact the line managers of the paid worker associated with that group. Young people and parents are made aware of key parts of this policywhen they start to come along to our groups or events, including details of who to go to in theevent of a complaint about a member of the Soulroots staff and volunteer team.

Physical Contact

Physical contact can be very positive and affirming for young people but needs to be done in anappropriate manner. It may be used in the context of the ‘laying on of hands’ in prayer ministry.This will always be in the form of a hand on the shoulder of the young person and normally donemale to male and female to female. In the case of cross gender prayer ministry, the youngperson will always be asked if it is ok for a leader to put a hand on their shoulder and only donewhen the shoulder is covered by clothing. Physical contact is always done using the followingguiding principles.1. Keep everything in public. A hand on the shoulder in the context of a group is very differentfrom a hand on the shoulder behind closed doors.2. Other forms of touch such as a hug should always be initiated by the young personthemselves.3. Any physical activity which is, or could be construed to be, sexually stimulating to the child isnever appropriate4. Children are entitled to determine the degree of physical contact with others, except inexceptional circumstances such as when they need medical attention.5. Team members take responsibility for monitoring one another in the area of physical contact.They should be free to challenge constructively a colleague if necessary.6.

Very

occasionally it may be necessary to restrain a child or young person who is harminghim/herself or others. Use the least possible force and inform the parents as soon as possible.All such incidents should be recorded with witnesses signing to verify version of events. Adebrief for the staff involved will be convened to work through how the situation could behandled in the future and line mangers should be informed.Soulroots would never want any person to be prevented attending an activity or event due to aphysical disability. It may therefore be very occasionally necessary for staff to undertakepersonal tasks on behalf of a young person who is disabled. Careful negotiation between theyoung person, parents, Management Committee and staff members will take place to determinethe nature of this prior to these tasks been undertaken.

Dealing with behaviour

At times, a young persons behaviour may become challenging and threaten the safety of themselves or others around them. Every attempt will be made to engage with the young personin this situation and leaders will aim to remain calm and defuse the situation, taking a deepbreath and counting to five where necessary to ensure they act in a rational and reasonable

‘Soulroots’ is the operating name of ‘Churches for Youth in Sheffield 17’a registered charity (registered number 1087814)

manner. Physical contact will be avoided as described above. A debrief with the team may benecessary following such an incident to plan how to deal with a similar situation again.Young people may also become overly dependant on a particular leader and behave in aflirtatious or clingy way. Leaders need to remain vigilant to this and be open to challenge frommembers of their team where they see this occurring. Where an issue has been identified, aleader will make at least one other member of their team aware of the issue and plan ways toavoid feeding this. This may involve the leader speaking directly to the young person about theinappropriateness of their behaviour, withdrawing attention or asking other members of the teamto build a relationship with the young person to avoid exclusivity. Soulroots leaders areencouraged to seek advice and support from their team where they become uncomfortableabout any aspect of a young persons behaviour.

Dealing with sensitive issues

Where topics of a potentially sensitive nature are discussed in groups, confidentiality will bepromoted within groups and group members will be told that Soulroots staff and volunteers willkeep all conversations of a sensitive nature confidential although they may be shared amongstaff and volunteers in order to promote consistent pastoral care. They will also explain that insome cases, they may have a duty to pass on information if they are concerned for the youngperson’s ongoing safety or suspect abuse of a physical, emotional or sexual nature or neglect.

Ratios

Groups will operate with the following adult to young person rations:10 – 13 year olds14+On site1:101:10Off site/residential1:81:10All groups will have a minimum of 2 adults present. In mixed gender groups this will preferablybe at least 1 male and 1 female. This principle will always be observed for off site or residentialactivities.Young people aged 16 and over may count as part of the above ratios AFTER 2 adults are alsopresent.

Cell groups

Soulroots encourages the development of cell groups within the community which involve smallgroups of young people meeting together regularly to encourage and inspire each other in their Christian journey. The nature of these cells varies according to age and Christian maturity. AllCell groups will meet in ‘approved homes’; that is homes where there will be 2 CRB checkedadults (cell hosts) around for the duration of the group. Some Cells will operate without an adultpresent within the group while others will have an adult within the group. All cells will have an‘engineer’ who reports back to and is supported in their role by one of the salaried youthworkers. Cell hosts will be expected to read and sign this policy as any other volunteer would doand keep copies of consent forms for all the young people attending the group.

One to one situations

Soulroots recognizes the benefits of 1:1 situations and will use these types of meetings for

‘Soulroots’ is the operating name of ‘Churches for Youth in Sheffield 17’a registered charity (registered number 1087814)