Child Protection Policy Guidelines

Introduction

The Global Connections Child Protection Guidelines are designed to apply to any UK based organisation or UK church sending staff or volunteers overseas. The principles should be applied to all types of staff such as mission partners, volunteers working overseas, national staff of UK mission agencies and UK staff visiting field locations. Agencies and churches should also apply them in all contexts, both long and short term, although different procedures might be needed in each context. These guidelines have been formed specifically with cross-cultural contexts in mind, but it can also be useful in UK situations, both same-culture and cross-cultural.

They are also designed to help national churches and agencies with whom the UK agency or UK church partners.

These are guidelines for good practice. Our motivation in producing them is based on our desire that God is glorified in all that we do. We recognise the risks to children and our responsibility as Christians in protecting and safeguarding them to the highest standards possible. If children are to be protected from abuse, exploitation and inequalities, staff and other representatives must conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism and integrity at all times.

For these goals to be realised a systematic approach to child protection is required and the guidelines contained in this document provide the basis for producing practical policies and procedures for UK agencies and UK churches to ensure their staff are well placed to protect children.

They are designed to help develop agreed policies relating to the following:

• Procedures for recruitment, appointment, supervision and debriefing of staff
• Implementation in overseas location
• Responding to allegations/concerns
• Helping UK agencies and churches to consider how their staff and mission partners are informed of policies advice and resources

All UK agencies and churches should appoint a representative as a Child Protection Coordinator, in the UK or International Office, who is responsible throughout the organisation for ensuring that their agency develops, completes and implements its child protection policy and that they are consistent with the required standards set out in these guidelines. Wherever possible each project location should appoint a Child Protection Officer and a deputy, to cover for absence, as appropriate.

These guidelines have been developed in consultation with the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) and were approved by the Global Connections International HR Forum January 2006. Use the links below to read specific sections or click here to download a copy.