Children
Seventh-day Adventists affirm the right of every child to a happy and stable home environment. Children’s Ministries recognise that children are born with an inherent capacity for spirituality that requires nurture and support. Children’s Ministries also recognise children's ability to effectively share their faith in ways appropriate to their age, personality and giftedness. It therefore encourages the creation of opportunities for children to engage in service for others, along with their families and churches, for the benefit of their communities.
Children’s Ministries work hand in hand with Family Ministries to equip parents and primary carers to disciple their children for Christ. The primary role of the Children’s Ministries department is to partner with leaders at every level of the church structure to facilitate this goal by:
creating and identifying appropriate ministry resources
training and equipping children's ministry leaders
educating and resourcing parents
educating and supporting leaders and families to help ensure a safe environment for children
Leslie Ackie
Director Children, Family and Possibilities Ministries
Safeguarding
Family Ministries, Children's Ministries and the Secretariat Department oversee the implementation of the Church's safeguarding policy, to ensure best practice in the protection of children and adults at risk. Click this link to download our Policy, Procedures and Guidance.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - This document provides a concise summary of Church's policies, procedures and guidance.
Safeguarding awareness and 'Good Practice' training is organised at the local church level by the Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP).
The local Conference/Mission is responsible for the training of local church DSPs. Please contact your Conference/Mission for dates of training. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for all those who lead or volunteer for work with children and adults at risk. The local church DBS Clerk ensures that these checks are conducted. The local church DBS Clerk receives training and guidance from the Conference Executive Secretariat Department or from the BUC Executive Secretariat Department for the Missions.
The DSP and DBS Clerk are distinctive roles but in smaller churches, the role can be held by the same person.
Policy
Procedures
National Procedures -England
National Procedures - Scotland
National Procedures - Ireland
Appendices
Safeguarding Agencies
Thirtyone:Eight (formally Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service)
Thirtyone:Eight is an independent Christian charity providing professional advice, training, support and resources in all areas of safeguarding children and adults at risk of harm. It exists to safeguard children and adults at risk throughout the UK. ThirtyOne:Eight also provides support for those who are or have been affected by abuse or harm. For more information, visit the Thirtyone:Eight website.
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
NSPCC is the UK’s leading children's charity, specialising in child protection and dedicated to the fight for every child. NSPCC is the only UK children's charity with statutory powers which means, it can take action to safeguard children at risk of abuse. Visit the NSPCC website for more information.
Women's Aid
Women’s Aid is a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. It has been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic violence and abuse through practice for over 40 years. Women's Aid empowers survivors by keeping their voices at the heart of their work, working with and for women and children by listening to them and responding to their needs. Visit the Women's Aid website.
ManKind Initiative
The ManKind Initiative was the first charity in Great Britain to support male victims of domestic abuse (registered in 2001). For over 15 years they have been at the forefront of providing services and support for male victims and campaigning to ensure that male victims receive the support they need from other organisations. Visit the ManKind Initiative website.
Action on Elder Abuse (AEA)
Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) is a specialist organisation with a growing staff in all four nations of the UK. AEA focuses exclusively on the issue of elder abuse. AEA strives for a society which values older people and one in which they and other adults can live free from abuse perpetrated by those in whom they have an expectation of trust. Where such abuse occurs, they seek an environment in which it can be quickly identified and addressed.