St Teresa's Amateur Repertory Society  (S.T.A.R.S)

Child Protection Policy:

The following members of the STARS committee have been involved with the Society for manyyears and have accompanied children on residential weekends:-

Gianantonio Fusi +

Susannah Fusi     +

Peter Johnson *

Mary Johnson  *

John Bradley #

Judi Bradley #

Martyn Gosling

Maria Gosling*

Andrew Lewis

Meryl Lewis*

(* indicates are also practicing teachers who have been vetted by Essex County Council for Child Protection)

(+ indicates have been vetted by Diocese of Brentwood for Child Protection)

(# indicates have been vetted by Essex Police for Child Protection)

Other members of the committee are already known to us and have years of loyal service, which should be sufficient for you to trust that they will not abuse the children in their care.

In all instances where no official vetting has taken place, in order to minimize risk to both the children and to adults concerned, the adults will never be in sole charge of a child. 

Churches should always strive to create and maintain an environment where both children and the adults working with them are safe, valued and in which children can develop physically, emotionally and spiritually. The policy applies to all church activities involving children and young people and one which S.T.A.R.S completely endorses.

Activities and work will be planned with the safety and well being of the children and young people as the prime consideration and organised in a way that minimises risk. Children and young people will be supervised at all times, whether it is at weekly rehearsals, or at the residential weekend.

The people leading and supervising children and young people’s activities have been selected and appointed after the required checks, inquiries and consideration about their suitability for work.

All people working with children and young people have been made aware of this Policy

All members of the Church, including children and young people, will be informed how to obtain advice, support and help if they have concern or if they suspect that a child is at risk.

The responsibility for introducing, implementing and maintaining a Safeguarding Policy rests with the Child Protection Officers selected by the Parish Priest. (currently Mrs. Angie Howell and Mrs. Lou Chanarin)

No person will be allowed sole unsupervised access to children until they are authorised, with all the checks and enquiries having been satisfactorily completed. Any such supervision is to be by a person who is authorised with all their checks and enquiries having been satisfactorily completed.

All completed Child Protection Forms, and other related documents will be kept securely by either the Parish Priest, or someone acting on their behalf. Access will be restricted to the Parish Priest, or to the person acting on behalf of the Parish Priest.

All helpers volunteering to act as dressers and back-stage help will be required to work together such that no adult member is in sole charge of any child at any time.

Due to the fact that these adults will be familiar to everyone and with provision of the previous statement, no individual checking will be required.for these adults.

This policy has been endorsed by Mrs. Lou Chanarin (Child Protection Officer for St Teresa's Parish, Lexden).

Toni Fusi (Chairman)