YWAM England Child protection form for staff and students

Child Protection Information for All Staff and Students Serving With Youth With a Mission England
April 2008

To be accepted as a student or to serve as staff with Youth With a Mission England you need to read and understand the information below and sign both copies, returning one to your school/team leader.

Our Values

 * To safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people
 * To listen to, relate effectively to and to value children and young people

Young People Who Sexually Abuse
A third of sexual offences against children are carried out by a young person under the age of 18, some of whom will continue as adults to sexually abuse children. It is still considered sexual abuse even if the person committing the abuse is under 18 years of age.

The Alleged Abuse

 * can be current or happened in the past
 * can be a one of incident or recurring over weeks, months or years
 * has happened at this location or elsewhere

Guidance and Procedure
If a person tells a student or team member about abuse:
 * listen carefully, keep calm, but don't ask questions.
 * take the person seriously.
 * never promise to keep it a secret. If an illegal act has occurred it MUST be reported to the police or social services.
 * reassure the person that they have done the right thing.
 * pass on the information to your school/team/base leader as soon as possible.
 * write up what you have been told afterwards using the person's own words and give to one of the Child Protection Officers listed below.
 * remember, all that is shared is strictly confidential, between you, the person, and the appropriate people indicated below.

What Happens Next?

 * the student or staff member reports immediately to their school/team/base leader. Make sure you know the name of the person who has disclosed the abuse. But do not leave that person alone as they will be in a very vulnerable state having just talked about their experience.
 * the school/team/base leader will immediately contact one of the Child Protection Officers who will then be responsible for the matter. For YWAM England this is (the names and telephone numbers of three people from YWAM England are placed here in the document)
 * The Child Protection Officer will involve the other members of the Child Protection Advisory Team for their suppor of the student or staff member involved as required.

PLEASE SIGN BOTH COPIES, RETURNING ONE COPY TO THE SCHOOL/TEAM/BASE LEADER AND KEEP THE OTHER COPY FOR YOUR REFERENCE. THANK YOU.

CHILD PROTECTION DECLARATION

I declare I have read and understood the above Child Protection information and agree to abide by the procedures laid down.

Signed:

Full Name:

Date: