Safeguarding

Our guidelines for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

Child Protection rules define a ‘child’ as a person under the age of 18 (or anyone who has been assessed as having a mental age of under 18). At present there isn’t a definition of ‘vulnerable adult’. We recommend that everyone directly involved with children and vulnerable adults in ringing follows the requirements of the St Albans Diocese and their local church.

Everyone should take safeguarding matters seriously. This will ensure that:

Children and vulnerable adults are protected from abuse.
Adults working with children and vulnerable adults don’t put themselves in compromising situations.
The good name of the Association, and ringing in general, is protected.

The St Albans Diocese requires that Tower Captains, and all those who teach children and vulnerable adults in ringing, must have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) ‘enhanced check’ and attend the, class based, Module C2 Deanery training course. DBS checks and training needs can be arranged through your church’s Safe Guarding Coordinator. The Safeguarding Coordinator is appointed by the PCC and is also the first point of contact in the event of any safeguarding concerns; their contact details should be displayed in the ringing room.

It would be good practice for all ringers to complete the online Diocesan training module C0 (C zero) for basic awareness and increased knowledge of safeguarding. At the present time the Deanery training must be refreshed every 3 years, online training is a one off.

For more information see the St Albans Diocesan safeguarding webpages at www.stalbans.anglican.org/safeguarding.

We strongly recommend that Tower captains / ringing teachers should also:

Invite parents/guardians to training session before teaching begins so that they’re fully aware of what’s involved.
Ask parents/guardians to complete and sign a registration form giving their permission to learn to ring and provide important contact and medical information – downloadable here.
Have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) ‘enhanced check’ if teaching children/vulnerable adults face to face, even where supervised.
Keep an attendance register or record.
Make parents/guardians responsible for taking children/vulnerable adults to and from the church.
Get written permission from parents/guardians before children/vulnerable adults are taken without them to Tower, District and Association meetings, training, outings and social functions or other tower’s practices.
Be aware of the insurance position for children/vulnerable adults.
Always have at least two adults present (preferable a male and female) when children/vulnerable adults are present at tower, District or Association practices.
Never allow children/vulnerable adults up among the bells apart from an initial demonstration visit if it is safe to have one.

Guidance for everyone:

Never hold child/vulnerable adult personal contact information without the permission of parents/guardians.
Never travel alone in a car with a child/vulnerable adult.

The Association’s Safeguarding Coordinator may contact parents/guardians to make sure they understand the Association’s guidelines and their own responsibilities.

If you have any queries contact our Safeguarding Coordinator, currently Rosemary Drewery.

Email: safeguarding@bacbr.org.uk] or telephone: 07792 92600

The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR) have lots of useful information and resources here Safeguarding – CCCBR

A summary document: https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SM_Safeguarding_PlusAppendices_2019_Ver_2-Guide-plus-appendices-1.pdf

The Bell Ringers Code of Conduct document: on their website: Code for Ringing – CCCBR

and as a pdf here CCCBR Code for Ringing