CCPAS Press Release

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18 April 2008

PUT LOVE BACK INTO CHILDCARE, SAYS CHRISTIAN CHILD CARE FORUM

We need to put love back into childcare. That is the keynote message of the annual Christian Child Care Forum (CCCF) on 29 April, which will explore how Christians who work with children and young people can better enable the giving and receiving of love as part of child care.

“The amount of regulation and legislation affecting those working with children and young people has grown exponentially over the last decade – and with good reason”, says Keith White, chair of CCCF.

”Every child matters and the Children’s Plan are high priorities on the government agenda and there is an unprecedented and welcome ambition for children to achieve their potential. But this has created a paradox for Christian professionals and volunteers involved in caring, teaching and supporting children and young people. So instead of love being at the heart of children’s growth and development, it has become a four-letter word notable for its absence in most of this new legislation and guidance”.

CCCF’s conference, which is called Love – A Four Letter Word; How can Love be given and received in 21st century childcare, asks what can we do about this fear of and lack of love at the moment.

The day-long event will answer that question by drawing on the wisdom and practical experience of Christian professionals working alongside children and young people in a wide range of settings – including schools, residential homes, on the streets and within families and communities. Speakers include Baroness Valerie Howarth, previously Chief Executive of ChildLine, Bill Stone of the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service and Keith White, Chair of Child Theology Movement.  Tim Linehan, Assistant Director of Campaigning for The Childrens Society, will be inviting discussion on children and values as part of the Good Childhood Enquiry.

Keith White added: “Quite rightly, Government, statutory agencies and the voluntary sector have all made great strides over the last few years putting child care and protection at the top of the agenda. However, children do not only require safety and security but they also need a loving environment in which their most basic emotional requirements are satisfied.

“This conference seeks to improve how that is done.”

Media Enquiries:                   Iain Taylor

Taylor Communications

01732 461060 or 07979 914217

taylor.comm@tiscali.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS: 

• Love – a four letter word. How to give and receive love in 21st century child care will be held on Tuesday 29 April at King’s Cross Baptist Church, London (five minutes walk from King’s Cross station).

• Tickets are £25 (Unwaged £18.00) and can be booked via the Christian Child Care Forum website www.christianchildcareforum.org.uk
• The CCCF has been in existence for more than thirty years and has made some significant contributions to the field of child development, particularly in child protection, adoption and counselling. CCPAS is a founder member.
• A brand new book ‘The Growth of Love; understanding the five elements essential to child development’ will be launched on the day. 
• For more information or to request an interview, please contact Keith White on 0208 504 2702.
• CCPAS is an independent Christian charity providing professional child protection advice and support across church denominations and organisations throughout the UK. 
  CCPAS was established in 1977. It assists churches, organisations, social services and other child care agencies as well as individual children and families by: 
  • helping churches and other organisations adopt safe practice in order to protect children from abuse – and youth workers from the possibility of false allegations
  • advising on individual cases, giving ongoing help to leaders and others.
  • training across the UK and providing “in-house” training and other resources
  • acting as external consultants to denominational/organisational child protection advisors
  • counselling individual adults or children about past or present abuse. 

For more information, please see www.ccpas.co.uk