Child Protection

All Child Protection casework is dealt with by the Inter-diocesan Child Protection Adviser, Su Foster who can be contacted on 01704 540516 (0784 951 7351 out of hours and emergency use) or by e-mail sufoster@fsmail.net. 

CRB Administration for people who work with children and vulnerable adults is processed by Church House, Manchester. Please contact Lesley Whittaker on 0161 828 1403.

General procedural queries, and ordering of resources, are dealt with by the Children's Officer, Revd Steve Dixon on 0161 828 1433.

Safeguarding Children

Handbook of Policy and Procedures 2009 

This diocesan handbook provides the latest policies, principles and resources for good procedures and practice which must be taken up at all levels in the diocese.

Safeguarding Children is designed for use by parishes in order to support their work in safeguarding children and young people.

The purpose of this document is:

  • To set out the policy of the Church of England and the Diocese of Manchester.
  • To guide workers about what to do if a child says s/he has been harmed or they believe that a child has been harmed.
  • To highlight good procedures and practice especially in the recruitment, selection and support of staff and volunteers who work with children.
  • To provide templates, resources and links to help parishes in these tasks.

All templates and sample forms are available to download in the Clergy and Parish Handbook.

For a hard copy of Safeguarding Children, please contact Lesley Whittaker on 0161 828 1403.

Download Safeguarding Children

Click here for a Guide to completing your CRB form.

Vetting and Barring

The Government announced on 15 June 2010 that the new registration system by the Independent Safeguarding Authority has been put on hold while a review of the entire vetting and barring scheme is carried out.

The existing requirements for criminal record checks will continue to apply.

The Government is contacting 66,000 organisations to tell them that the planned registration is being cancelled. More information will appear on this website as soon as we have it. Visit the Independent Sagefuarding Authority website www.isa-gov.org.uk  for details. 

Protecting All God's Children

'Protecting All God's Children' (4th Edition, 2010), the House of Bishops' Child Protection Policy (the document on which all parish and diocesan policies are based) can be downloaded here.

Responding well to those who have been sexually abused

Policy and good practice for churches to respond well to those who have been sexually abused was published by the Church of England in July 2011. The document - authorised policy and guidance from the House of Bishops - has been produced by a working group which includes both experts in safeguarding and those who have suffered personal traumas.

Click here for further information: 

Click here to download the whole document 

Responding to Domestic Abuse

The House of Bishops produced national guidelines in 2006 for those in the Church with pastoral responsibilities, to support them in responding to domestic abuse. While this document is largely concerned with adults in abusive situations, children are frequently involved and the guidelines are helpful background for all involved in Children’s Ministry. Appendix 4 ‘Needs of Children and Young People’; and Appendix 3, which gives advice on what to do if domestic abuse is suspected or disclosed, are particularly relevant.

Click here to download the guidelines document. 

Transporting children

If private cars are being used to transport children, you must make sure that all necessary insurance is in place and child protection guidance followed (Safeguarding Children p37 & p39). If you take a group of young people out in a mini-bus there is legislation that must be adhered to, otherwise you could be breaking the law and you will find that your motor insurance is invalid. You may also invalidate third party liability insurance provided through your church for activities away from the normal meeting place. Consult VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Service Agency), particularly the PSV 385 Guide to find out if you need a Section 19 or 22 permit: www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/  

Risk Assessment

For guidance on Risk Assessment, go to www.hse.gov.uk/risk/