Child Protection Policy - St John the Evangelist Romanian Orthodox Parish, Cambridge
(updated 17 Oct. 2018)

St John the Evangelist Romanian Orthodox Parish (“Parish”, “us”, “we” or “ours”) subscribes and upholds the Child Protection Policy of the Parish of the Ascension, St Giles Cambridge. In addition, we have our own Child Protection Policy (“Policy”) as detailed below.

Our safeguarding coordinator is: Fr Dragos Herescu (parish priest). He can be contacted on: 07805 972718.

Definitions
• The terms: “child”, “children” or “young person” is used to refer to anyone under the age of 18 years.
• The term “parent” is used as a generic term to represent anyone with legal parental responsibility.
We believe that all children and young people irrespective of their age, class, religion, culture, disability, gender, ethnicity or sexual preference have the right to protection.

We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people are protected, kept safe from harm, and from abuse, whilst engaged in church services and activities organised and provided by the Parish.
 
It is the duty of every Christian to be vigilant about the care of children in the congregation. Those church members who have direct contact with children, such as parents, clergy, volunteers, or members of the Parish Council, are more likely than most to become aware of potential problems. However, anyone who is worried about the behaviour of another member of the congregation or the demeanour of a child has a duty to voice those concerns to the person designated to co-ordinate child protection in the parish.

If the concerns are about a prominent member of the congregation or someone in a position of leadership, this can lead to considerable anxiety, however doing nothing could result in continuing harm to the child or other children. It is important that anyone expressing concerns should be respected and his or her anxieties taken seriously. Anyone formally hearing a complaint should keep a careful record of all conversations and all decisions and actions taken. These records should be kept in a secure place and in accordance with data protection requirements.
We aim to fulfil our commitment to safeguarding children and young people by:

• following recommended safeguarding practice in recruiting, training and supporting the ordained ministers active in the parish and our volunteers. Recruitment includes DBS checks for those working regularly or substantially with children and/or vulnerable adults. 

Health and safety policies are in place in conjunction with the Parish of the Ascension, St Giles Cambridge and we have provided adequate insurance cover for all activities undertaken in the name of the parish. All those volunteering or working on behalf of the parish have agreed to comply with the safeguarding policy and with the good practice guidelines for their work.

• responding without delay to any complaint that a child or vulnerable adult in our care may have been harmed by the behaviour of an employee or volunteer working on behalf of the church. We will always seek advice on such matters from outside this church, and we will co-operate with statutory agencies during any enquiries they need to make into allegations against a member of the church community. During those enquiries we will do our best to ensure that those making an allegation, and those against whom an allegation is made, are supported appropriately. 

• offering informed pastoral care and support to any child or adult whose life has been affected by abuse, whether the abuse was recent or long ago. Where there is a current risk to vulnerable people that has not yet been brought to light, we support the person who has suffered abuse in taking information to the appropriate agencies.

• ensuring, to the best of our abilities, that those who are known to have had a history of offences against children or vulnerable adults, and/or who may pose a risk to them are offered a supportive agreement to help them take part in church life; they are supported pastorally, and boundaries are set to protect those who might be vulnerable within the church. Confidential safeguarding agreements are the responsibility of the Safeguarding Adviser and any incumbent, who work together. 

​In the case of an emergency where a child is in danger, phone 999 immediately.
• Church workers, designated trainers and volunteers should be vigilant at all times regarding people unknown to the community using cameras or videos within the church during services and at events or activities which involve children and young people. 

• Consent must be sought from parents when cameras and other image recorders are used by people unknown to the community or other third party to picture children and young people.

• Do not allow unsupervised access to children or young people or one to one photographic sessions.

• Parents must be informed that photographs of their child or young person may be taken during church services, activities or events, and parental consent needs to be obtained agreeing to this. This must include information about how and where these photographs will be used.

• The names of children or young people should not be used in photographs or video footage, unless with the express permission of the child or young person’s parent.
​We regularly review and update our safeguarding policy, and we welcome comments from members of the congregation or responsible third-parties on how we could improve our awareness and safeguarding practices.