The Middlesex County Association and

London Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers

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Secretary: Mrs P. Fay, 5A Furlong Road, London N7 8LS

ASSOCIATION GUIDELINES FOR CHILD PROTECTION

(Approved at Association Meeting held at Hillingdon, 23rd October 1999)

These Guidelines have been prepared for members of the Association and in particular those who teach children to ring. Reference has been made to advice published in "The Ringing World".

It is very important that all those who have dealings with children take the issue of Child Protection seriously:

  1. to ensure that children are protected from abuse,

  1. to ensure that adults working with children do not put themselves in compromising situations.

The law defines "child" as a person under the age of 18 for most purposes.

The Association recommends that its members who have dealings with children:

  1. know the Child Protection Policy of their church and the "named person" to whom any concerns should be reported,

  2. ensure that there are two adults (preferably one of each sex) when there are children present,

  3. invite parents/ guardians to watch a training session before allowing their children to learn to ring,

  4. point out that the parents/ guardians are responsible for delivering the children to and collecting them from the tower,

  5. ask parents / guardians to sign a form giving permission for the children to ring (a specimen form is available from the Secretary on request),

  6. keep an attendance register,

  7. be aware of the insurance position for children,

  8. never allow children up amongst the bells apart from an initial demonstration visit if it is safe to have one,

  9. seek written permission from parents/ guardians before children are taken on outings, to meetings or social functions,

  10. ensure that children attending any bell ringing event or function do not travel alone in a car with an adult,

  11. prominently display a copy of these guidelines in every tower (a laminated copy is available from the Secretary on request).

Version 1.1

Gen. Sec Details updated June 2007