| We have a Parish Child
Protection Officer, who applies national procedures set up to ensure
that all those who work with our children are screened and offered on-going
training. The screening takes the form of a police check with the Criminal
Records Bureau (CRB) carried out through the Catholic Office for the
Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (COPCA) set up by the Catholic
Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Any new volunteers are introduced
to the Diocesan Child Protection Procedures, and as part of their training,
will undergo their own police check. Children are the future of the church and the children of this parish take their rightful place in our community. It is to them that we make this statement: God has given you the right to be cared for by people you can trust God gives you the right not to be hurt in your body by grown-ups God has given you the right to have your feelings taken seriously And so Never believe somebody who tells you a secret you must not tell your parents Never believe somebody who says it is your fault that you are being hurt or frightened If a grown-up does not take you seriously or believe you, you must talk to someone else If you are uncertain about something a grown-up tells you to do, ask you parents or teachers about it. The diocese has a Child Protection Commission which includes professionals from the police and social services and is chaired by a lawyer from Peterborough, Denis White. It is supported by a Child Protection Co-ordinator, Mrs Barbara Warwick, who is the best point of contact for anybody in the Diocese with concerns about child protection issues. Her telephone number is 01362 699015. She has an administrative assistant, David Kerr, who deputises for her when she is away. David used to be our parish child protection representative and still live in the parish - he is happy to be contacted about child protection issues if you have any worries or complaints. Phone: 01480 462049 or e-mail david.kerr@ntlworld.com The Parish child Protection Representative Mrs Jane Landucci her telephone number is: 01480 832025. There are three main aspects to her job: To check the records of everyone who works with our children. To be a point of contact for anyone who has concerns about child protection issues. To pass on any safety information and advice that may help parents and children. All communications will be dealt with in confidence. From my background in Internet regulation, I can offer help for parents on keeping children safe on the Internet. I suggest that you start by looking at a web site such as the Internet Watch Foundation's safe surfing pages, and the links from them. If you are hesitant about "surfing the Web", the first page of the Internet Watch Foundation's guide suggests that you enlist the help of your child - it's a bonus to explore this issue together. But do contact me if you have problems. You can contact me at any time at 6 High Street, Hemingford Grey, Cambs. PE28 9DR, or phone 01480-462049 or 07802 453321, or by email to david.kerr@ntlworld.com All communications will be dealt with in confidence." |