PRAYER TEXT
A simple & confidential service enabling young people to pray and Trust in God

Policy statement

Prayer Text recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all the children and young people that use this service and will adopt the following principles in relation to the young persons protection.

Any allegations and suspicions of Prayer Text staff will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. They will not be ignored.

All Prayer Text team members have a duty to ensure that the appropriate action is taken if a child/young person is believed to be in need, is suffering or is likely to be suffering from significant harm.

If a Prayer Text team member believes that a young person may be suffering, or is at risk of suffering from significant harm, they will report their concern to Prayer Text line manager John Lee immediately.
These are the steps we will follow in this case.
John Lee will then inform Gary Brown (New Life Church’s Child Protection Officer).
Gary Brown will then recommend contact details of organisations best suited to the child’s/young persons situation, this could include for example contact details for Social Services or the Police.
Prayer Text will send back a reply to receiving their text/email as normal however now it would include the organisational details recommended by Gary Brown.

The child/young person’s protection can be best achieved by promoting good practice

The child/young person’s safety and welfare is paramount.

All children and young people have a right to confidentiality.

Staff Policies

Prayer Text team members will abide and persist to these following principles to assure the welfare and safety of the child/young persons using Prayer Text.

All staff has a current CRB form

Prayer Text members must belong to a Church and are accountable to their Pastor and Prayer Text. If either party has suspicions or receives allegations compromising their position and role as a Prayer Text team member then they will be removed as swiftly and appropriately as possible.

Prayer Text team members under any circumstances will never contact any young person/child that has contacted prayer text. The emails addresses and phone numbers we receive on the website and Prayer Text Phone number.

If any abuse or misuse is received on the site or any service we offer then Prayer Text members must immediately contact Prayer Text line manager John Lee and he will contact the police and local authorities.

If a Prayer Text team member has received a prayer request that arises suspicion or contains allegations that the child/young person is suffering, or is at risk of suffering from significant harm, they must follow the guidelines listed below;

If a Prayer Text team member believes that a young person may be suffering, or is at risk of suffering from significant harm, they will report their concern to Prayer Text line manager John Lee immediately.
These are the steps we will follow in this case.
John Lee will then inform Gary Brown (New Life Church’s Child Protection Officer).
Gary Brown will then recommend contact details of organisations best suited to the child’s/young persons situation, this could include foe example contact details for Social Services or the Police.
Prayer Text will send back a reply to receiving their text/email as normal however now it would include the organisational details recommended by Gary Brown.

Prayer Text team members will not discuss any prayer requests; names or details with anyone apart from Prayer Text line manager John Lee.
However if the child or young person has submitted an answered prayer on the website then Prayer Text team members can talk and share this with others.

Prayer Text team members will sign a contract adhering to these policies and the contract will be reviewed by their Church Pastor and Prayer Text line manager John Lee every 2 – 3 months this will also include a review on their spirituality and placement at Prayer Text.