Quote from a Designated Person for Child Protection and Golf Fanatic after attending the Taking Care Conference 09.
Other comments were;
“Excellent learning opportunity”
“Wonderful day – a lot to take back to church”
“Excellent presentation that re-ignited my passion for child protection”
“I think we all need something motivational like this”
“Plenty of info – would rate it highly”
“Good organisation, format, atmosphere, speakers and information given – would recommend”
“Very beneficial all youth workers/ clerk of sessions should attend”
“Relaxed and friendly yet challenging”
“Informative in a fresh way”
Over five hundred people gathered in Church House on Saturday 25th April to attend the bi-annual Conference which focuses on child protection issues.
After a welcome and devotions from the Moderator, the morning kicked off with interviews on the sofa taken by the Taking Care Co-ordinator, Deborah Webster. Tom Clarke from Access NI and Pamela Mallon from DHSSPS kindly agreed to be interviewed to inform delegates about the forthcoming Vetting and Barring legislation -to find out about this see our Vetting section.
Next to be interviewed was our Taking Care Administrator, Amanda Cotter, who processes our Access NI forms and organises training. Geoff Marshall and Ruth Craig, two of our Volunteer Trainers were also asked about the uniqueness and relevance of our Taking Care training for Presbyterians.
Lunch was served in between workshops as delegates had the opportunity to attend two. Click on the links below to view information and resources available from the following workshops:
After lunch, delegates were shown ‘Pew Review’ – a light-hearted take on Child Protection issues. Congregations are encouraged to show this at Church as part of ‘Taking Care Sunday’, you can find it in our downloads section.
But the real highlight of the day was our keynote speaker and author of ‘Policing Innocence’, Rebecca Andrews. Rebecca is a police officer who has served on the Paedophile and child protection unit. Rebecca started her address by introducing us to her police boots, one representing good policy and practice, the other resolve. Rebecca took as her biblical reference Matthew 10 v 16 where Christ calls us to be compassionate but equally shrewd. Her talk encouraged us, made us laugh but most of all challenged us that we can make a difference for better in order to protect children.
Training Resources
Find out about all of our training courses, what it involves and where there is training happening near you!
Vetting Standards...
Up to date information about new legislation which will affect everyone who works with children and vulnerable adults within the U.K.
Taking Care Updates
Read the news page to find out about the most recent events and download the latest ‘Taking Care Update’ news sheet
Order free resources
Complete the online order form to request exclusive Taking Care Resources to be posted out to your congregation.
