The document outlines guidelines for child protection and safeguarding policies, including having two leaders present at all times, obtaining parental consent for transportation, safe recruitment practices, and adequate insurance. It also provides staff to child ratios for different age groups. Risk assessments are important to identify hazards and limit risk of accidents. Organizations must also comply with GDPR regulations regarding data protection and consent. Equality, diversity, and inclusion practices aim to promote inclusion across attributes like age, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, and sexual identity.

1. Child Protection &
Safeguarding
General principles
• Children are under 18s and vulnerable adults
• Have a policy - reviewed and understood
• Safer recruitment
• Don’t spend time alone with individual children
• Transport - parental consent and with another leader
• Don’t invite a child into your own home
• Always have at least two leaders - ideally one male and one
female
• Make sure you have adequate insurance
• Have an ‘appropriate touch’ policy
3g Legal: Child protection policies, safeguarding, risk and insurance

2. Age Group Staff Children
0-2 years 1 for every 3
2-3 years 1 for every 4
3-5 years 1 for every 8
5-8 years 1 for every 8
Over 8 years 1 for the first 8
children
and then 1 for each additional 12.
Additional for SEN
Child Protection &
Safeguarding
3g Legal: Child protection policies, safeguarding, risk and insurance

3. https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/policy-and-practice-guidance
3g Legal: Child protection policies, safeguarding, risk and insurance

4. • Don’t assume you are insured… check with your church
leadership.
• Ask: Are there any exceptions? What does it cover as
standard?
• When will I need extra cover? Who will add that for
me?
• Most churches use Ecclesiastical’s Parishguard Policy.
But be sure to follow their guidelines or you will not be
covered.
• All activities should be cleared and minuted by PCC.
• All leaders should be recruited safely and approved by
PCC.
• Programmes (outside normal activity) need approval,
and risk assessments completed.
Insurance
3g Legal: Child protection policies, safeguarding, risk and insurance
https://www.ecclesiastical.com/documents/parishguard-summary.pdf

5. Risk assessments are important in order to
identify any hazards before an event takes
place and to reduce / limit the risk of
accidents happening as much as possible.
They’re not meant to eliminate risk
completely, but are meant to help us limit
possibility of risk as much as possible – and
make us aware of what risks are there.
Usually, if you do not have a risk assessment
in place, or if the risk assessments aren’t
adhered to, then you won’t be covered by
your insurance if any accidents were to take
place.
Risk Assessments
3g Legal: Child protection policies, safeguarding, risk and
insurance
https://www.stpeterscollege.org.uk/risk-
assessment

6. 3g Legal: Child protection policies, safeguarding, risk and insurance

7. GDPR & record keeping
The General Data Protection Regulation came into force in May
2018. It strengthened previous data protection regulations. It is
applicable to PCCs, incumbents and deaneries, and requires them
take some action.
General principle: People’s data is not ours to do with whatever we
like. We need to have consent from people to use their data, and
then only use it as we have consent for.
Consent forms: crucial. Invite people to ‘opt in’ to
communications.
Safeguarding – registers do not need GDPR consent.
Legal obligation / legitimate interest.
3g Legal: Child protection policies, safeguarding, risk and
insurance
• Oxford Diocese GDPR guide: https://shorturl.at/ipxGV
• https://www.parishresources.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/GDPR-PCC-Guide.pdf

8. 3g Legal: Child protection policies, safeguarding, risk and insurance
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
• age
• disability
• ethnicity or race
• gender
• religion or belief
• sexual identity
Sheffield Diocese Racial Justice: www.sheffield.anglican.org/racial-justice
Methodist Church EDI toolkit:
https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/the-methodist-church/the-inclusive-methodist-
church/training-for-justice-dignity-and-solidarity/edi-toolkit-equality-diversity-and-inclusion/

9. 3g Legal: Child protection policies, safeguarding, risk and insurance
This checklist is a go
od place to start…