|
|
The Central Council of Church |
Protecting Young Ringers
Guidelines for Maintaining a Safe Environment for Young People in the Belfry
1.
The
parents or guardians of the young person (referred to here as the parents) should
complete a consent form when the young person starts to learn to ring. This
form should be up-dated annually and should set out the necessary rules for
safe practice. The form should be available from the PCC, but a sample consent
form may be downloaded from the Central Council website (www.cccbr.org.uk). The parents of young people already engaged in
ringing should be asked to complete a consent form at the earliest opportunity.
The parents should be encouraged to come to an early lesson to see what is
involved.
2.
The
Tower Captain should endeavour to establish that the young person has no known
medical conditions that may affect safety.
3.
The
Tower Captain should make sure that the parents are aware of and content with
arrangements for young people travelling to and from ringing activities.
4.
The
parents should be told if there is any plan to use a video camera as a training
tool, and the consent form should make this clear. The videotape should be erased
after the teaching session, preferably in the presence of the parent or the
Tower Captain.
5.
The
young people should undertake to ensure that suitable clothing is worn for all
ringing activities. It should be loose under the arms to allow freedom of movement
and not overtly provocative. These requirements should also be made clear to
parents at the outset.
6.
The
parents should be informed that to act with sufficient speed in an emergency or
when learning to control a bell, it may be necessary to raise one’s voice, or
make physical contact (e.g. by taking hold of the learner’s hand to take
control of the bell rope). This can be demonstrated to the parents during their
early visit to a practice. Procedures for acting in an emergency should be
rehearsed, e.g. following the instruction ‘Let Go’ if the bell gets out of
control.
7.
If
an outing is planned, parents should sign a detailed permission form. Transport
arrangements should be made so that young people do not travel in a car with
just one adult. In the event of this being necessary as an exception, the young
person should sit in the back.
8.
Where
a parent is always present during ringing, e.g. as a member of the band, the
parent is responsible for the young person’s welfare. However, it is important
to bear in mind that there may be occasions when a parent cannot be there or
the young person is taken out by other members of the band (e.g. to another
tower). As with other aspects, it is advisable to follow the standard procedure
in all cases so as not to make an issue of any changes in routine.
9.
Two
adults (if possible of different sexes) should normally be present whenever
young people are taking part in ringing or being transported to or from ringing
events. The Tower Captain should endeavour to ensure that at least two adults
arrive at the start of any planned ringing.
10.
The
Tower Captain and any deputies who may run the practice or any ringing sessions
where young people are present should be notified to the PCC, and will be
responsible for ensuring that these guidelines are followed. It is likely that
it will be these people who will need to undergo a criminal records check.
11.
The
Tower Captain should not delegate responsibility for the care of the young
people unless it is to someone previously notified to the PCC and who has
completed the criminal record check.
12.
It
is always good practice for an attendance register to be kept and completed,
including the recording of the names of any visitors.
13.
Young
people should not be allowed into a potentially hazardous situation
unaccompanied.
14.
Normal
Health and Safety issues should always be taken into consideration, and if
possible a trained first aider should be present. A first aid kit should be
available and an accident logbook kept.
15.
A
copy of these Guidelines should be displayed on the belfry notice board.