Child Protection Statement

As part of its mission, Oasis Church is committed to:

• Valuing, listening to and relating effectively to children and young people as well as promoting their welfare and protection.
• Safe recruitment, supervision and training for children's / youth workers within the church
• Encouraging and supporting parents/carers
• Adopting a procedure for dealing with concerns about possible abuse
• Supporting those affected by abuse within the church
• Maintaining good links with the statutory child care authorities and other organisations involved with public protection
• Protecting children from any known sex offenders who may attend the church whilst providing appropriate support and accountability to such offenders based on a professional risk assessment and a clearly defined contract

Oasis Church recognises that many children and young people today are the victims of neglect, and physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

The Department of Health document “Working Together under the Children Act 1989” states “Experience has shown that children can be subjected to abuse by those who work with them in any and every setting. All allegations of abuse of children by professional, staff member foster carer or volunteer (from member ACPC agencies) should therefore be taken seriously and treated in accordance with local child protection procedures. Other organisations which provide services to children (including day care, leisure, churches, other places of worship and voluntary services) should have a procedure for handling such allegations which is consistent with this guidance and with ACPC procedures. There should be clear written procedures in place which are available for scrutiny by service users, and which are supported by the training and supervision of staff. It is essential that all allegations be examined objectively by staff who are independent of their service, organisation or institution concerned”   (Para 6.13)

As a church we undertake to follow the principles found in the Abuse of Trust guidance issued by the Home Office. It will therefore be unacceptable for those people in a position of trust to engage in any behaviour which might allow a sexual relationship to develop whilst ever the relationship of trust continues.

Accordingly, Oasis Church has an appropriate Child Protection Policy, copies of which are available from the Church Office. The policy sets out agreed guidelines relating to the following areas:

• Responding to allegations of abuse, including those made against leaders or members of the church
• Appointing children’s/youth workers
• Supervision of activities and practice issues
• Helping victims of abuse
• Working with offenders

Oasis Church recognises the need to build constructive links with the child care agencies. Accordingly, these guidelines have been prepared in consultation with Churches Child Protection Advisory Service, (CCPAS) who hold a copy of this policy (Policy 08/638 Oasis Church).

The Redbridge Social Services Child Protection office telephone number on weekdays between 9.00am and 5.00pm is 020 8708 5354.

The out of hours duty team is on 020 8553 5825.