SAFEGUARDING COMMITTEE MAY 2008 Proposed Deliverance The General Assembly: 1. Receive the Report 2. Express gratitude to all those volunteer congregational Safeguarding Co-ordinators, Trainers and Presbytery Contacts for their commitment to the task. (4.2) 3. Instruct Presbyteries to ensure Kirk Sessions are enabled to make best use of the new Safeguarding Kirk Session Training Package made available by the Safeguarding Office. (5.4) 4. Commend the work of the volunteer Safeguarding Trainers and ask that they continue to be afforded as much support as possible by their home Presbyteries. (5.9) 5. Note and approve the Safeguarding Office’s continued involvement, on behalf of the Safeguarding Committee, with the Scottish Government in relation to the new and future legislation of a Safeguarding nature. (7.3) 6. Note and approve the Safeguarding Office’s continued involvement, on behalf of the Safeguarding Committee, with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP). (1.4) 7. Affirm the Church’s commitment in partnership with social service organisations to ongoing pastoral care of survivors of sexual abuse and their families and re-assert the commitment of the Church to create a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults in congregations. 8. Re-affirm that primary responsibility of the Church to children and young adults and vulnerable groups is their safety, which will mean the imposition of appropriate restrictions in congregations upon those who have committed sexual offences. 9. Commend the process of listening attentively to various perspectives on the complex issues facing the Forgiveness and Proportionality working group. (1.5) 10. Instruct the Group to bring a report, including guidelines and outlines of processes, to the General Assembly of 2009.
1. Introduction 1.1 The theme for the annual Safeguarding Trainers Conference held in October 2007’ was ‘Safeguarding Ten Years On’. Two things come to mind : first it is hard to imagine that Child Protection would have developed into Safeguarding underpinned by both civil and ecclesiastical legislation and second that the Church of Scotland would be the largest voluntary organisation regularly recruiting volunteers who require, as part of the recruitment process, to be checked by Disclosure Scotland. The shape and content of this year’s report is different from that foreseen this time last year when the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) 2007 (PVG) legislation was widely expected to be in force. Had that happened the result would have been a flurry of instructions and guidance interpreting the legislation and advising all involved in Safeguarding of their new responsibilities. The reason why the report is different in style and content is because the Scottish Government has extended the consultation time and, consequently, the implementation of the legislation has been delayed until the spring or summer of 2009.
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Despite this delay there is no doubt that Safeguarding continues to be a rapidly developing area of the Church’s work. While staff of the Safeguarding Office are closely involved in the consultation process regarding the new legislation they have also been committed to the Safeguarding task and its development. One area of work which the Safeguarding Committee has been involved is the whole area of internet security and the potential for child exploitation on line. Part of the on-going awareness raising is helping parents and others responsible to be aware of the dangers associated with the internet. It is a sad reflection that as we develop more robust measures of protection then the threats to children become more varied and diverse. The Safeguarding Office has established a line of communication with the Child Exploitation and On-line Protection Centre (CEOP). CEOP is a government sponsored organisation who are acknowledged as leaders in this field. They are developing various methods of awareness raising and are keen to support other organisations, through a partnership arrangement, to encourage safe use of the internet and technology. CEOP also offers to support organisations in identifying inappropriate behaviour and usage of the internet. The second area is the on-going work of the ‘Forgiveness and Proportionality’ working group instructed by the General Assembly of 2007. This group comprises Safeguarding committee members, staff from the Safeguarding Office and members of the Worship and Doctrine Task Group. It had been hoped that the Working Group would report to the Assembly this year. The reality is that as work has progressed it became clear that the task could not be concluded in one year. The Working Group, however, brings an Interim Report, Appendix A, for the attention of the General Assembly. During the year Mrs Fiona Mackay left as Associate National Adviser and the National Adviser Ms Jennifer McCreanor was appointed to that post. The committee is grateful to both for their leadership and commitment to Safeguarding during these years of rapid evolution. Mrs Fionna Miskelly was appointed as Head of Safeguarding in November 2007 and is, already, bringing her significant expertise to the task. The range of work undertaken by the Safeguarding team – staff members and all involved in a voluntary capacity – has not diminished. The committee continues to be both appreciative and affirming of their commitment and expertise. Safeguarding continues to evolve and as it does the under-pinning maxim remains which is to be as sure as possible that Jesus’ example of care, compassion and welcome to all those who are vulnerable will be offered to the highest standard of Safeguarding possible.
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2. Statistics 2.1 The Safeguarding Committee reports that since the 2007 General Assembly: The Safeguarding Committee has met 3 times The Advisory Panel which considers information contained in the Disclosure check, has met 3 times The Advisory Panel has considered 13 cases Over the last year no applicants were declined There are 69 Volunteer Child Protection Trainers There are 47 Presbytery Contacts, 15 of whom are also Trainers There are 1769 Safeguarding Coordinators
Over the last year the Safeguarding Office has processed 23143 Disclosure Applications on behalf of congregations On average 2 Child Protection training events are run nationally each week.
The Safeguarding Committee feel it is important to furnish General Assembly with these statistics to gauge the amount of work involved in the ‘Safe Recruitment’ process both in the statutory and advisory capacity for the Church. 3. Administration and Finance 3.1 The changes in staffing within the professional team in the Safeguarding Office have led to changes in job titles. The office is now led by the Head of Safeguarding who is supported in that role by the Assistant Head of Safeguarding. Both of these jobs continue to be done by professionally qualified and registered social workers who have considerable experience in safeguarding matters. As the Safeguarding Office prepares to take on board new and more encompassing legislation, as well as coping with the volume of work presently generated by current processes, it is essential that personnel have the technical tools to do the job. The pressure on staff and computers has been acknowledged by the Committee and the Support and Services Council. A new modern and efficient database is being developed and should be commissioned by the Church of Scotland for the General Assembly of 2008. A Safeguarding Extranet area has been developed on the Church of Scotland’s main website. Part of this area allows trainers and Presbytery Contacts to communicate and exchange information and views on training matters. It also allows trainers to directly download materials, making full use of technology.
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The Committee can report that the budget has continued to show a surplus over the last year. The Safeguarding Office has continued to produce regular Newsletters which are distributed to all congregational co-ordinators and are available on the website. This is a helpful tool to keep congregations advised of changes and updated procedures. During the last year guidance about hall lets, arranging children’s parties and safe photography have been communicated as well as several attempts to dispel some of the unfortunate myths that still exist in the area of child protection.
4. Recruitment 4.1 The move from Child Protection to Safeguarding some 3 years ago signified the move from protecting not only children but also to protecting all those who are vulnerable. Although at the moment the Safeguarding Office is only advising on, and facilitating Disclosure Checks for the safe recruitment of volunteers who will be working with children, changes in terminology are being phased in on a gradual basis. We now refer to Safeguarding systems and Safeguarding Coordinators as opposed to the protection of children only. The Safeguarding Committee recognises the crucial role of all the volunteers in the success and effectiveness of this area of work and hopes that they continue to offer their expertise in future as we negotiate through implementation of legislative changes.
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The General Assembly of 2007 instructed the Safeguarding Committee, in consultation with appropriate agencies, to establish a policy and procedures for the effective vetting of those who have recently come to Scotland from abroad and who apply to work on a paid or a voluntary basis with vulnerable groups. Unfortunately it has not been possible to achieve this objective. It has been highlighted by the media and discussed on the floor of the Scottish Parliament that there presently do not exist any international lines of communication to facilitate this process. This is a problem for all organisations not just the Church of Scotland and unfortunately we have no option but to wait until it is addressed at government level. It is important however that we make rigorous checks wherever we can to ensure as high a level of protection as possible.
5. Training 5.1 The last year has been the first full year there has been a full-time Training and Development Co-ordinator working for the Safeguarding Office. The Safeguarding Committee can report that 2 awareness raising training events were held each week for volunteer children’s workers and that all Safeguarding Co-ordinators were able to attend full day training to support them in their role. Co-ordinator Training is arranged through the Safeguarding Office so we can tell by the figures for 2007 that we did record a drop in the numbers of co-ordinators being trained. That drop was anticipated as almost all Sessions now have trained coordinators in post. It is only when there are additional or replacement co-ordinators appointed that training is required. The co-ordinator course has been revised to bring it up to date with developments in legislation and current best practice. It is heartening to report that a number of previously trained co-ordinators are attending courses to revise and bring themselves up to date with the many changes that have occurred over the past few years. It is anticipated that in 2008 there will be an increased demand for co-ordinator courses. A new Kirk Session Training Package has been developed for delivery by Safeguarding Trainers to Kirk Sessions supporting them in fulfilling their obligations towards the recruitment, management and support of the volunteers they appoint in their parishes. A package aimed at the wider Child Protection responsibilities of Youth Workers and Youth Development professionals employed by Sessions or Presbyteries is currently under development. The Church of Scotland’s Volunteer Child Protection Training Pack has been adopted by the Boys Brigade, the Girls Brigade and the Baptist Union all of whom have chosen to purchase the packs prepared by St Andrews Press. As a consequence, the Church of Scotland, the Boys Brigade and the Girls Brigade all now use the same package and an agreement in principle has been reached that each should recognise the others’ child protection training; avoiding individuals with cross organisational appointments having to complete another course. Of the 69 volunteer Safeguarding Trainers across Scotland and in the Presbyteries of England and Europe. 53 are accredited and 16 are working towards accreditation. 12 of that group of 16 are now awaiting final assessment. All new trainers are now required to complete a Learning and Development course that meets National Standards and there are opportunities for any of the pre-existing trainers
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wishing to refresh their skills to also attend one of these courses. The first of these courses has already been run jointly with the Boys Brigade and the Girls Brigade and the feed back received has been very positive. 5.9 The Safeguarding Committee is keen to encourage and support all volunteer trainers in obtaining a recognised qualification and congratulates them on the high quality of child protection training that is being provided.
6. Referrals 6.1 Increasingly over the last few years congregations have been making use of the professional support, advice and guidance available from the Advisory team at the Safeguarding Office. The Advisers within the team have been able to support congregations where there have been allegations of harm and where there have been concerns about the behaviour or background of individuals present in the congregation who may pose a threat to the vulnerable. Ministers and office-bearers in congregations should not hesitate to seek advice from the Safeguarding Office if there is any potential difficulty or doubt about a course of action relating to Safeguarding. These matters are dealt with in the strictest confidence.
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7. Development 7.1 Without doubt the biggest area of work in relation to developing the Church’s safeguarding service over the last year has been the consultation and planning for the implementation of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.For further information a ‘Script’ produced by the Scottish Government for the Voluntary Sector Issues Group, to which the Safeguarding Office contribute, outlining the basic objectives of the Act, is attached as Appendix B to this report. It is with relief that the Safeguarding Committee can report to the Assembly that the Scottish Government has taken seriously the concerns raised about the possible consequences of this new legislation. Various groups, including faith groups, across the sectors have lobbied for ‘proportionality’ in relation to this legislation because of real concern about administration and processes overshadowing real protection. Consequently a more realistic implementation time scale has been set to allow more constructive consultation and dialogue. Representatives from the Safeguarding Office, on behalf of the Committee, will continue to be involved in this consultation and dialogue. The primary objective will be to achieve legislation that, will afford congregations more protection with the minimum amount of fuss, concern and bureaucracy. While we must not lose sight of the need for legislation and the significant progress already made in its development it has been a concern that over-zealous protection of the vulnerable can undermine the morale and enthusiasm of volunteers who provide normal, caring and fun activities. With regard to the new PVG Act we are relieved that the Scottish Government has distinguished between all adults who may be vulnerable and those particular adults in need of protection. The proposal of the new legislation is not to throw a ‘blanket’ of protection
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over all vulnerable adults but to ensure those adults who are not in a position to protect themselves are afforded most protection. It is hoped that the legislation will deploy resources and energy in the most appropriate areas. 7.6 Once the obligations of this legislation become clear the Safeguarding Office will embark on producing all the policies and guidelines that will be required to ensure Presbyteries and Congregations comply fully. Anticipating that this will increase the demand for training, the Safeguarding Office will seek that the General Assembly actively encourages presbyteries to prepare to fill that need in terms of increasing their pool of Trainers. The Safeguarding Committee welcome the appointment of a new Principal Officer for Safeguarding at CrossReach and are encouraged that a fruitful and supportive relationship is being forged between all the safeguarding professionals in both Councils.
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8. Conclusion 8.1 The Safeguarding Committee will endeavour to: Continue to monitor new legislation and its impact on the Church Continue to contribute to the consultation process for implementation of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 Continue to encourage the theme of proportionality in relation to new legislation Maintain active links with other faith communities Sustain momentum of work to make safeguarding accessible to all Presbyteries and congregations
In the name and by the authority of the Committee
JOHN C CHRISTIE, Convener ANNE BLACK, Vice-Convener FIONNA MISKELLY, Head of Safeguarding
ADDENDUM
Ms Anne Black Ms Anne Black completes her term as Vice Convener of the Safeguarding Committee at this Assembly. Ms Black has been Vice Convener for 3 years and has worked closely with the present Convener and the Safeguarding Team. During her time as Vice Convener there have been some quite dramatic developments in the area of Safeguarding in the Church. Ms Black’s Professional Expertise and experience in the whole area of Safety and Protection of Children has been given generously and she has been involved wholeheartedly in this new and advancing area of work. As befits her previous professional background Ms Black has been able to contribute to debate purposefully and has been passionate in putting forward the best interests of the Safeguarding Team, the Committee and the Church. The Committee invites the General Assembly to acknowledge the diligent and conscientious service that Ms Black has given gladly and without reserve.
JOHN C CHRISTIE, Convener FIONNA MISKELLY, Head of Safeguarding