Child Protection
Resources for Parishes, relating to Child Protection and Safeguarding
The safety and well-being of all the children and young people we welcome into our churches and involve in our parish activities is paramount and is the key to "Protecting All God's Children" in the Diocese.
The Safeguarding and Child Protection Management Group in the Diocese is led by Bishop David, assisted by Maria Johnson who is his professional adviser on all matters relating to the safeguarding and protection of children. Maria's role is to offer advice and guidance to all parishes, develop diocesan and parish policies and procedures and to deal with cases relating to the protection of children. The group also includes a parish priest, a representative from the Cathedral, the Diocesan Secretary and other professionals working with children and young people in our churches.
In 2008 a new diocesan policy for child protection entitled ‘Safeguarding Children in the Diocese of Worcester' was published and circulated to all Parish Representatives for Child Protection. It contains guidance, policies and all the relevant paperwork for use when recruiting people to voluntary and paid roles within the parish. Parishes without a parish representative should contact the administrator for Child Protection and CRB at the Diocesan Office to obtain a copy on 01905 732811 or .
The policy has also been published online:Safeguarding Children in the Diocese of Worcester
Who's Who?
The Bishop's Adviser for Child Protection: Maria Johnson
Maria's role is to offer advice, support and guidance in matters relating to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people. She can be contacted on 01886 889216 or
The Diocesan Youth Officer: Sarah Brush
The Youth Officer's role is to offer specific advice on the setting up and best practice in relation to children's activities and youth groups. She can be contacted on 01905 732825 or
Thousands of children play an active part in the life of churches in the diocese. The diocese works with parishes to ensure that the highest possible standards for child protection and care are employed by all those who come into contact with children. The diocese offers child protection training and advice.
Good Practice in Children's Work
These workshops aim to:
- enable participants to identify situations which may arise during regular work with children and young people within the church where a decision has to be made regarding good practice.
- encourage participants to discuss possible courses of action in relation to the identified situations
- enable participants to identify guidelines and also legislation where this exists, and to apply these across a wide range of situations
You might want to consider one of these workshops for your parish. If so, please contact the Department for Children, Youth and Education on 01905 732825.
Additional training
Courses specifically for clergy are arranged from time to time.
Courses about checking CRB Disclosure applications will be arranged for Parish Representatives
