Title: Malpas Road Evangelical Church
Author: Robert Hadley
Last saved by: Delyth Judd
Company: MS

APPENDIX 1 		

WHO ABUSES CHILDREN?
			
•	Very rarely a stranger

•	Often someone close to the child, e.g. a parent, carer, babysitter, sibling, relative or friend of the family

•	Sometimes, someone in authority such as a teacher, youth leader, children’s worker, or, very sadly, a church worker/leader

•	Sometimes sex offenders and others who set out to join organisations (including churches) to obtain access to children 

APPENDIX 2	

HOW TO REACT WHEN A CHILD WANTS TO TALK ABOUT ABUSE

It is not easy to give precise guidance, but the following may be of help:

General Points

•	Do not reject what the child says or cast doubt upon it.
•	Keep calm
•	Look at the child directly
•	Be honest
•	Let them know you will need to tell someone else - don’t promise total confidentiality
•	Even when a child has broken a rule they are not to blame for the abuse
•	Be aware the child may have been threatened
•	Never push for information

Helpful things to say

•	I am glad you have felt able to tell me.
•	It’s not your fault
•	I will help
	Avoid saying
•	Why? How? When? Who? Where?
•	Never make false promises
•	Never make such statements as “I am shocked, don’t tell anyone else.”
•	I can’t believe it
•	Why didn’t you tell anyone before?
•	Are you sure this is true?

	Concluding
•	Again, reassure the child they were right to tell you 
•	Let the child know what you are going to do next and that you will let them know what happens
•	Immediately refer to someone appropriately qualified

Make notes as soon as possible (preferably within an hour of the interview), writing down exactly what the child said. Keep all hand-written notes, even if subsequently typed up. Use the FSC Incident reporting form and forward to the safeguarding lead urgently. Phone the safeguarding lead for discussion.

 APPENDIX 3 

  MINIMUM NUMBERS NEEDED TO SUPERVISE

The degree of supervision required will depend on the age of the children.

Note there is to be a minimum of 2 workers for all children’s and young people’s activities. For children over the age of 8 it is preferable for the adults to be of different sex.

The following recommendations should be observed, with adjustments according to the needs of the children or situation.

	Age			Indoor		Outdoor  

0-2 years		1:3		1:3
 
3 years  		1:4		1:4

4-7 years		1:8 		1:6
	
      	 8-12 years        	1:10        	2:15 (extra adult for every 8 more children)

	13 years and over	1:10		2:20 (extra adult for every 10 more children)