Creating a safe environment for children, young people and leaders is at the very heart of "Taking Care", an initiative of the Presbyterian Church which brings together updated policies and practices for care and safety in Presbyterian congregations.
The 120 page policy was launched this week, 28 January, in Dublin and Belfast by Presbyterian Moderator Dr Ken Newell.
"Thousands of people come through the doors of our churches every week," says Lindsay Conway, Presbyterian Director of Social Service. "It is vital that we provide a safe environment for them and that our leaders in turn should be safe in the knowledge that they have clear guidelines and have access to good support and advice."
It is just under ten years, 1996, since the first guidelines were adopted by the Presbyterian Church and these have continually been updated and improved as experience grew and further legislation was introduced.
"Taking Care" brings together updated policies on good practice in health and safety, in providing a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults, the third edition of the Church's Child Protection Guidelines and includes additional material in areas such as children with special needs, photographs, computers, mobile phones, self injury and domestic abuse.
It also incorporates recent developments in vetting arrangements for leaders. In Northern Ireland, as of January 1, 2005, all new leaders will have to undergo a Pre Employment Consultancy Service (PECS) check to ascertain their suitability to work with young people.
The Presbyterian Church welcomes the recent statement by the Irish government of the intention to set up a similar scheme and would encourage the authorities to provide the necessary resources and establish a procedure as soon as possible.
"No denomination is immune from the problem of trusted adults misusing their position. This requires a response which is both aimed at prevention and care for those who may have been mistreated," added Lindsay Conway. "By using these guidelines each congregation will be raising standards of care for those entrusted to them. Also leaders, teachers and helpers will be more assured of their own protection in the event of false accusations."
In June 2004 the Presbyterian Church also agreed a "Policy and Procedures for Dealing with Complaints of Sexual Abuse" which states clearly how complaints against ministers and others in positions of leadership should be dealt with.
Launching "Taking Care" Presbyterian Moderator Dr Ken Newell paid tribute to the many hundreds of leaders who give freely of their time and expertise to what he described as "essential and vital" organisations.
"Church organisations are essential to local communities and vital to the development of individual children both personally and spiritually. Churches are providing programmes and services every day of the week for thousands of children and young people. This requires hundreds of leaders giving their time in a dedicated way."
But the Moderator realised that parents expect their child to be safe when participating in church based activities. "Accidents do happen, but negligence or a breach in procedures is a different story. Adults who work with children and young people should be recruited and selected in a most vigilant manner. The leaders in turn should be safe in the knowledge that they have clear guidelines and have access to good support and advice.
"There must be a culture of vigilance and safety. Maximising safety and minimising the risk creates a safer organisation and a safer child," he continued. "We as a church are ever conscious that we are vulnerable and that abusers can gravitate towards the church. Our duty to care is based on the Gospel, we did not need a piece of legislation - it was always there - 'Suffer the little children to come unto me.'"
Andrew Fagan from the Social Services Inspectorate is presented with a copy of the 'Taking Care' manual by Presbyterian Moderator Dr Ken Newell (left) and Lindsay Conway, Presbyterian Director of Social Service (right)
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
PCI Home . . . Press Office . . . News Archive