Child-Friendly Safeguarding Poster for Church?

[mehday]

I’m PSO of our church and we are currently working on the gaps we feel exist around awareness and visibility of our policies etc.

We have identified a number of Trusted Adults that children and young people could talk to if they have concerns and want to make simple posters with their photos on, to go up in public spaces and on the back of toilet doors.

I have been trawling the net for useful poster templates but haven’t found very much I can use. I would like it to have a simple message for younger readers as well as vulnerable adults etc with spaces for photos/names.

Does this exist or would it be quicker to create one? Thanks!

I'm sure Lucy Letby had enhanced DBS......didn't make her safe with children😳

So you’re basically saying don’t bother? Is this because it is a church? We are trying to bring ourselves up to the expected standard of care towards those who use our building, I think it’s a positive thing.

We're saying just 'doing something' isn't anything. Trying is lying.

Meaningful things. Open doors or two staff for meetings with vulnerable people. No one is 'trusted' everyone uses precautions. Everyone is trained and DBS checked, not just a few. Even when DBS checked and trained you assume anyone could be a problem and act accordingly.

And yes, it's partly because the churches have messed everything up for so long, in so many places, with so many children. You have to do more than a poster telling children that you know who is safe. You don't.

It is a positive thing - sorry you're getting a bit of stick here, being a PSO is bloody hard work, I know!

I have the 31:8 resources but also childline posters. These seem to be the most straightforward
All our PCC, Sunday school etc are enhanced DBS but also have done the 3 safeguarding courses, domestic abuse and so on. Including in-house abuse - the courses are really hard as they progress

But we've had a couple of disclosures and thankfully the courses stood me in good stead, and one was triggered by one of the posters

Good luck!

Wouldn’t you be better doing something like this….
https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/netsmartz/downloadable/tipsheets/who-is-a-trusted-adult.pdf
and getting the children to identify who their trusted adults are?

It's not against you or even against churches, even though the example I gave was a church.

But that man that I mentioned had been choirmaster for twenty years and nobody ever suspected anything

I am a PSO, the photos are a good idea or maybe you could go along to their youth groups to introduce yourself.

Rochester Diocese gave out child friendly, wallet sized cards a couple of years ago.

It said 'sometimes things happen that make us feel worried or scared or upset. It might be online, at home or through the Church. Find out how we can help you. We will listen, be believed, help you.

It then has the relevant contact details and Childline details and 999 for immediate danger.