Safeguarding:
Children & Young People

The Duke Street Church (DSC) work with children and youth includes programmes on Sunday and throughout the week as well as Holiday Clubs and weekends away.  In the following, guidelines are given for each of these activities.

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​Leadership is as follows:

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Sharon Byamungu:  Children’s Ministries

Sarah Suddock:  Children’s ministries

Henry Young:  Youth Minister (Year 7 to 13)

Jono Borsley:  Elder with oversight of children and youth

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​At DSC we recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children and young people.  We acknowledge that children and young people can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect.  We are committed to ensure that all volunteers who work with these children and youth are properly trained in safe practices and are confident in taking steps to report any indications of mistreatment.

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​If a child or young adult discloses abuse to a volunteer, it is important to:

1. Listen and keep listening, ensuring that clear records are taken:

- Ask open questions

- Don’t assume answers

- Write it down

- Don’t investigate.  Report!

1. Never promise confidentiality, as this may not be possible

2. If there is immediate danger, action needs to be taken, and possibly the police and social services involved.

3. Update the Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible, and review the plan for the person who has disclosed on a regular basis. 

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If a worker observes or suspects any cases of abuse or neglect, it is emphasised that this issue be reported and documented.  The normal course of action would be to report to the leader of your group.  If you are at all uncomfortable in discussing it with your group leader, or if the incident involves your leader, any individual may report directly to the Safeguarding Lead or Team, or to any of the Trustees (Elders or Council).  Other available options are to complete a Safeguarding Incident Report via this link or via the QR code on Safeguarding incident posters throughout the building.

In the normal course of events, the following steps are to be taken in reporting an incident:

• Report all issues to the team leader of your group

• The team leader will discuss with the Safeguarding Lead

• If an urgent response is required, an individual may report directly to the Safeguarding Lead or Team, or to one of the Trustees

• A written report will be requested summarising what has been observed

• Everything is to be kept confidential, on a need-to-know basis

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Safe recruitment, support and supervision of workers

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The church will take proper care in recruiting workers with children and young people whether paid or voluntary.  Team members are normally church members and the elders will be responsible for their appointment.  All candidates will then be reported to the Head of Ministry Support. 

The recruitment process for volunteers will involve:

• Application form: volunteers must read the Duke Street Church Safeguarding Policy and Guidelines, review a copy of the presentation material from the most recent Safeguarding training session and fill out ‘Application form for involvement in children’s work’.

• References: two references, which does not include the interviewer will be sought by the ministry leader. If the candidate has attended DSC services for  less than 12 months, one reference will be from a previous church leader.

• DBS check for those 18 and over: Since DBS checks can now be processed quickly all candidates should have a DBS check before starting volunteering. DBS checks should be renewed every 3 years.

• Training and support: Ministry leaders and volunteers should receive the support and training they need for the job. They should attend the next possible safeguarding training event.

• In the rare event that an unsuitable person has been appointed the ministry leader in consultation with the elder responsible will decide appropriate action.

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Appointment of temporary team helpers

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Ministry Leaders may appoint Temporary Team Helpers who must sign a Short Term Self-Disclosure Form  Before first helping, the Helper must be briefed on our Safeguarding policy and guidelines by the Ministry Leader.  He/she must never be left in sole charge of a group of children.

If a helper is to participate in multiple activities in a year, then they should be treated as a “Team Member” and the appointment procedure outlined above will apply.

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Appointment of Junior Leaders

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Junior Leaders may be appointed by the ministry leaders in discussion with the Youth Worker and with the knowledge and permission of their parents.  The young person must fill out a Junior Leader Form which is to be approved by the applicant’s parents or guardian.  Note that there are activity specific forms (e.g. Holiday Bible Club, Rock Solid, others); the activity leader will provide the appropriate form.

The role and responsibility of the Junior Leader will be dependent on the age and maturity of the applicant.

If the activity takes place on Sunday morning during the service, the DSC policy is that he/she may help out on no more than two Sundays in a month unless approved by parents and Youth Worker and must otherwise regularly attend Sunday church services when not serving. 

He/she must never be left in sole charge of a group of children (although it is permissible for them to supervise a safe group activity providing there is a qualified team member in the room at all times.)

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​Classroom Register

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A register must be kept for all children’s Sunday morning classes.  On each Sunday, a record of all in attendance, including leaders, must be kept.

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Safe Behaviour

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The church will observe codes of behaviour below that ensure that all children and young people are shown the respect that is due to them.​

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Respecting Children and Young People

 

• Treat all young people with dignity & respect

• Respect personal privacy

• Be sensitive to their needs & likes / dislikes

• Avoid questionable activity e.g. rough or sexually provocative games & inappropriate language

• Challenge unacceptable practice or behaviour

• Avoid being alone with one child except as noted in the toileting guidelines below

• Be very careful with physical contact

• Don’t undermine parents. 

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Young Children’s Toileting

 

• All adults taking children to the toilet should have an up to date DBS check.

• Adults should inform other helpers when they are taking children to the toilet.

• Whenever possible, adults should take more than one child at a time to the toilet.

• Whenever possible, adults should take children of the same gender.

• With younger children, adults should encourage the child to do as much for him/herself as possible.

• When taking a child to the toilet, it is good practice to balance the child's need for privacy with their need for assistance.

• Young children will be provided with what assistance appears to be necessary in order for them to be able to use the toilet.

• Competent, young children will be encouraged to shut the door although not lock it, while the supervising adult remains outside the door.

• The supervising adult is responsible for ensuring the toilet is flushed and left clean after use.

• Hand washing is strongly encouraged and children will be assisted when necessary.

• If a baby/toddler has a soiled nappy, or a toddler has wet/soiled clothes, a parent should be called upon, unless nappies/spare clothes have been left and a helper has agreed with the parent to change the child.

• When changing a child, it is good practice to balance the privacy of the child with the safety of the helper.  For example, changing the child in an area with the door ajar and other helpers knowing where you are.

 

Managing and Administering Medicines on Residential Trips

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In the event that a parent or carer is not accompanying a child on a trip, it is the parent/carer's responsibility to ensure they inform the first aider/adult responsible for administering medicines prior to the trip about any medical conditions, food allergies, care plans and medicines needed by their child.   

Ideally the adult responsible for collecting, storing and administering all medicines, including travel sickness tablets, should be the first aider.  However, when this is not possible, another responsible adult should be given this task.  Children should not be given medicines to store and administer independently.   

All medicines handed directly to the first aider/responsible adult should be prescribed by a GP and be in the original packaging in a clearly named bag.  The parent/carers should complete and sign a form providing written instructions of meds, dosages, storage and timings.  The first aider/responsible adult should ensure all the medicines are stored securely during the residential trip. 

Ideally, the first aider/responsible adult should have another adult shadowing them when medications are administered as a witness/back up. 

A Master Medicine Sheet for the entire duration of the trip should be created by the first aider/responsible adult and checked by their back up adult.  This sheet should be ticked and signed off as meds are administered.

At the end of the trip, all medicines and care plans should be returned directly to the parents/carers.

 

Use of Video Conferencing

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The guidelines for use of media such as WhatsApp and Video Conferencing (Zoom) are given in the “General Safeguarding” section. Within our youth guidelines we have specific practical guidance for Video Conferencing sessions.

​The spread of COVID-19 resulted in an increase of online youth and children’s activities.  Post-COVID-19, online activities have been considerably reduced.  However, it is expected that use of this medium will continue in some areas of ministry from time to time.

Please be aware that online safeguarding principles are the same as ordinary safeguarding – there are no differences.  However, these are the specific risks we need to be aware of:

• The opportunity for grooming/sexual exploitation

• Sharing of personal contact details of young people and youth workers

• Inappropriate conversations between children/young people and workers

• Potential allegations against workers

When children or youth (younger than 18) participate, the following guidelines should be followed for Zoom or an equivalent application.

• Specific permission must be obtained from parent/guardian to participate in an online session

• The 'Host' of a meeting will be a DBS checked adult. (At least two DBS checked adults must be present online).  

• Children cannot join the meeting before the host arrives online.  

• Participants are to be reminded that online behaviour is the same as if they were physically in a classroom

• All participants should be dressed appropriately

• All must have their video on and must participate in an open space i.e. not a bedroom. 

• Only the host can share their screen to the rest of the group e.g. PowerPoints.  Private 1-1 chat is to be disabled

• The meeting is not to be recorded. However, the leader should keep a brief record of the online activity and will keep a record of those who attended (similar to Classroom Register) .   Participants are not to use the record function or capture “Screen Shots”.   

 

Safe Environment

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The Church is committed to providing a safe environment for activities with children and young people.

No environment is free of risk, but the Church’s policy is designed to develop safe practices in all its activities with children and young people. An important element in this is close collaboration between those working with children, the Church’s trustees and parents.  It is important to provide clear information to parents or carers about the Church, its activities and its safeguarding policy and to have their consent for all activities.

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Child Registration Form

Information held about each child includes any special needs, illnesses or allergies as well as contact details to be used in the event of an emergency.

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Room Risk Assessment

The Church’s Health and Safety Policy recognises and seeks to minimise risks to young people by paying attention to child-specific risks. Rooms used for youth & children’s activities have a risk assessment. Leaders & helpers should be aware of safety of the room and potential hazards

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Fire safety

Leaders and helpers should be aware of fire escapes and fire drills.  Fire evacuation procedures can be found posted in each separate room in the DSC building.  Evacuation instructions specific to each particular room are given at the top of each poster.

The leaders should conduct a walk-through of the fire procedures at least once a year (children do not need to be part of this drill).

 

First aid

Equipment is in the main kitchen, kitchenette off the Fellowship Hall (crèche) and in the upstairs kitchen opposite room 104.  When first aid is administered, another adult should be present if at all possible.  A list of those at DSC who are qualified in first aid is included in the first aid boxes.

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Lifts (Transportation)

The DSC transportation policy is given in the General Safeguarding section.  As noted in the General policy, ordinarily parents/guardians are responsible to arrange lifts amongst themselves for children and youth programmes away from the church building, informing the Youth Minister or programme leaders if another parent is picking up/dropping off their young person.   

Under unique circumstances, parents may arrange with the programme leader to have DBS checked volunteers to transport their child/children.  All qualifications listed under the General policy apply to the drivers.

Although parental/guardian permission is the rule for the transportation of children by volunteers, an exception is provided for cases in which an appointed driver does not arrive to pick up a child after an activity.   If the parent or guardian cannot be contacted, a qualified volunteer will be allowed to take the child home.

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Overnight activities

Particular care is taken to ensure that the code of behaviour is followed by all workers and leaders on overnight events. Parental consent is essential and parents/carers are provided with the address of the venue and a contact telephone number. Careful consideration should be given to ensuring a sufficient number of leaders and workers, appropriate sleeping arrangements and the safety of the accommodation used. Special safety rules may be necessary for some activities.

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Accident Reporting

Online Accident Forms can be accessed by this link or by the QR Code found around the building.  In the event of an accident, a form should be filled out immediately following the end of the activity so that it is a contemporaneous record of what happened.

This should be discussed with the team leader and staff as appropriate. There should be appropriate follow up with the family.

 

Date of Latest Revision               March 2026