• Advertise the name of the Parish Safeguarding Representative(s) and have a record of their contact details.
  • Make sure that communications between the Church and parents/carers and children take account of language or communication differences.
  • Make sure that parents, children and relevant others know about your safeguarding children policies and reporting procedures.
  • Involve parents, as well as children, in developing codes of behaviour (e.g. about anti-bullying)
  • Openly discuss your child safeguarding principles, policy, codes of behaviour with children involved in activities and make sure they know who to turn to if they have a worry or concern.
  • Ask children what makes them feel safe and not safe. Really listen and take account of what they say and make sure they know you are listening.
  • Display posters or have information leaflets, especially for new children who join, about child safeguarding and child help lines.
  • Have a suggestion box.
  • Consider how disabled children can communicate their complaints, especially if they have verbal communication difficulties.
  • Don’t forget that communication systems and practices do not lie just within the Church. It is important that there are established links with other organisations in the locality in order to promote a safe and caring community and to share good practices. At the same time, confidentiality must be maintained, with information shared only on a ‘need to know’ basis.