POLICY
FOR THE PROTECTION OF
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
National
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom
Child Protection Policy
Section A (Universally Applicable) THE OBLIGATORY SCREENING PROCEDURE
In
order to protect young people, and safeguard the good name of the Faith
in these
debased times, certain procedures must be followed for people over the
age of 18 who
have substantial access to children at Bahá’í events.
Basically, substantial access means the opportunity to be alone with a
child or children. Bahá’í events in this context includes
children’s classes, community (Thomas Breakwell) schools, summer
schools and other residential events, activity weekends, Training Institute
courses, study circles, conferences and conventions. However this list
is not exhaustive. It is the responsibility of the Bahá’í
administrative body organising an event to follow these procedures. If
they have any queries they should contact the National Office.
Basic
Vetting
It is the responsibility of the organisers of an event to arrange basic
vetting for those involved with children and young people. At the least
this must include the signing of a declaration (see Appendix A) that the
person is not a convicted sex offender, and that they are not receiving
and have not received medical treatment (including psychiatric or psychological
treatment) for inappropriate urges or behaviour towards young people.
The wording on the form covers any offence whether or not the conviction
is spent. A template declaration is included. Organisers can either reproduce
it themselves - using this form of words exactly - or obtain a stock of
blank forms from the National Spiritual Assembly. It will be up to the
organisers whether they take further steps. The basic responsibilities
of the organisers would be met by checking with a list holder and having
a declaration signed.
Note
(1) The terms “children” and “young people” cover
people up to the legal age of
majority i.e. 18 years.
Note
(2) If there is any uncertainly about what constitutes a “sexual
offence”, then the National Spiritual Assembly should be contacted
for clarification.
Frequency
of Vetting
There will be many individual Bahá’ís who have responsibility
for, or substantial access to, young people at a number of events. The
question therefore arises – how often does one person have to be
vetted? Does carrying out the procedure once suffice for several events
or a specific period of time? In order to ensure that the Child Protection
Guidelines are applied consistently and in a way that will ensure maximum
protection the National Spiritual Assembly has decided that the following
rules apply.
If
it is for an occasional (e.g. annual such as Summer School) or one-off
(e.g. special conference) event, then the vetting procedure (list check
by the organisers and form completion by the persons concerned) must be
carried out for each event.
§ If it is for a specific series of events, e.g. a Training Institute
Course, then the procedure should be completed at the start and will then
cover that series.
For
Thomas Breakwell Schools, children's classes, etc which run on an academic
year cycle, then the procedure should be completed annually, preferably
at the start of the year. It is the responsibility of organisers always
to ensure that the vetting procedure (list check and form completion)
is carried out - completing it for one of the above will not suffice for
other events.
Section
B
Response to Disclosure Child Protection Guidance for those representing the Bahá'í
Faith
in an official capacity
Introduction
Such
people include Auxiliary Board Members, Bahá'í Council members,
National Committee members, Community and Residential school staff, and
Local Spiritual Assembly members. This list is not exhaustive. If you
are in any doubt whether this guidance applies to you please contact the
National Office.
Abuse
is not easy to define. Appendix C gives the definitions under law as outlined
in the guidance formulated by the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory
Service (CCPAS), from whose documentation we have drawn most of the following
guidelines. How to Respond to a Child Wanting to Talk about Abuse There
are certain overarching points to make about how to respond to a child
who is disclosing abuse before we describe the more technical aspects.
Please read them carefully. Do not assume such a situation will never
happen to you. It is not easy to give precise guidance, but the following
will almost certainly help:
GENERAL POINTS
- Show acceptance of what the child says (however unlikely the story may
sound)
- Keep calm
- Look at the child directly
- Be honest
- Tell the child you will need to let someone else know - don't promise
confidentiality.
This is extremely important
- Even when a child has broken a rule, they are not to blame for the abuse
- Be aware that the child may have been threatened or bribed not to tell
- Never push for information. If the child decides not to tell you after
all, then accept
that and let them know that you are always ready to listen
HELPFUL
THINGS YOU MAY SAY OR SHOW
- “I believe you.” (Or showing acceptance of what the child
says)
- “Thank you for telling me,” “It's not your fault,”
and/or “I will help you”
DON'T
SAY - “Why didn't you tell anyone before?”
- “I can't believe it!” or “Are you sure this is true?”
- “Why? How? When? Who? Where?”
- Never make false promises and never make statements such as “I
am shocked.
Don't tell anyone else."
CONCLUDING
Again reassure the child that they were right to tell you and show acceptance.
Let the child know what you are going to do next and that you will let
them know what happens (you might have to consider referring to Social
Services or the Police to prevent a child or young person returning home
if you consider them to be seriously at risk of further abuse). Contact
an agency such as CCPAS on 01322 660011 for advice or go directly to Social
Services/Police/NSPCC. You may wish to contact the National Spiritual
Assembly but please remember that the institutions of the Faith do not
have a role in the investigation of such allegations.
Consider
your own feelings and seek pastoral support if needed. Make notes as soon
as possible (preferably within one hour of the child talking to you),
writing down exactly what the child said and when s/he said it, what you
said in reply and what was happening immediately beforehand (eg a description
of the activity). Record dates and times of these events and when you
made the record. Keep all hand written notes, even if subsequently typed.
Such records should be kept safely for an indefinite period.