CCPAS - Who We Are

History

CCPAS has been advising on safeguarding since 1983. We focus upon giving rigorous, professional and compassionate advice and support to places of worship and individuals on how best to safeguard children and adults.

CCPAS has pioneered many policies that have since been adopted by major denominations, other faith and non-faith organisations and government.

Our Memorandum and Articles of Association commits us to put the interests of children (and other vulnerable people) first in all aspects of our work. This is fundamental to the cause of CCPAS.

Recent Achievements

CCPAS’s work has expanded significantly recently. We have maintained and expanded our core services and have also created key resources to raise safeguarding standards within places of worship. We have sustained a high profile nationally in the development of safeguarding initiatives, in working with government and other key organisations. At the same time we have fostered good links with grassroots organisations and local places of worship throughout the UK. We have continued to work at the margins of the faith community, engaging with disparate and diverse faith organisations throughout the UK and helping them to respond appropriately to the urgent safeguarding issues their communities face.

We have also:

Rolled out our new ‘E-Bulk’ online DBS checking service. This has proved so popular with our members that we are now processing up to 3,000 checks a month this way

Launched our new Internet Safety Qualification. This is a very practical on-line course and the qualification is fully accredited by the SQA. More than 80 people are now taking this course; all who pass will gain a recognised qualification in Internet Safety

Unveiled Specialist Safeguarding Services, for faith-based organisations and other groups. Several Local Authority safeguarding bodies have already taken advantage of this service

Devised Safeguarding Services for Places of Learning, which is aimed at faith schools and academies

Produced a basic 50 minute training DVD in 16 languages, BSL and English subtitles. This was fully funded by the Department for Education

Increased our support to places of worship in two key areas. Firstly, as they provided help to past victims of abuse. Secondly, as they sought to supervise offenders
Introduced several new electronic and online initiatives. These include E publishing members' safeguarding policies, making two of our publications available as apps and creating CCPAS sites on both Facebook and Twitter
Entered into strategic partnership agreements with a number of leading Christian organisations and denominations

Placed our entire Safe and Secure manual online, with interactive downloads

Completely revised and refilmed the Facing the Unthinkable workpack. This is now being edited and will be available next year

Extended our core advice, support and training services

People

CCPAS has over thirty years experience in understanding, anticipating, assessing and mitigating the risks associated with safeguarding responsibilities. Over that time it has placed particular emphasis on developing its strongest and most important assets. These are its people.

The team therefore comprises highly experienced and skilled professionals, all of whom have high levels of expertise that extend across a wide range of professions and backgrounds.

For more detailed information on our team click here.

Testimonials

CCPAS regularly receives testimonials and commendations for the work it does. One example is in safeguarding vulnerable adults and disability issues:

“The Bible tells us to be a champion for those who are vulnerable, who have‘no voice’, who are left exposed in a world that says ‘you’re better off dead than disabled.’ I’m so grateful to my friends at CCPAS and the resources they provide to teach us all how to safeguard the rights of children and adults who are at risk. Thank you, friends at CCPAS!”

Joni Eareckson Tada, The Joni and Friends International Disability Centre

"Many thanks to all of you for everything you do which is always professional in every way."

Frances Bowen
Director/Secretary WOTS Project

"I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am with the E-bulk trial we have entered for DBS Disclosure applications. The system is slick and impressively fast - our first applicant and I sat together and did her application and subsequent verification on Wednesday and I had her disclosure confirmation by e-mail on the Friday! I would happily recommend this to anyone - than you for a great advance in DBS applications."

Ali
Lead Recruiter, Kerith Community Church

"I work for a fostering agency and we often have new people that come into the lives of some of our fostering families. This means that we need to get a DBS check done on them and we often need it back urgently. Since being involved in the E-bulk system, my job has become so much easier! When we were using paper DBSs it could take up to a month, sometimes longer, for the disclosure to come back. Since using the new system all of our DBSs have come back within 2 weeks, one even came back the next day. I thoroughly recommend the E-bulk system for anyone who needs DBSs back quickly!"

Emily Wolstenholme
Carer Recruiter, Family Matters Fostering Ltd

"Thank you for your support, it is much appreciated."

Senior Social Worker
an East London Council

How CCPAS is funded

Some 95% of our funding comes from those we serve – mainly from churches, trusts and individuals. We generate income from selling our wide range of resources [see shop], membership donations and training. Funding also comes from conducting DBS checks on behalf of churches and others.

The Home Office, the Department of Health and the Department for Education have endorsed the work of CCPAS. The government has also provided short-term funding towards various projects and resources.

Click here to view details on the Charity Commision web site.

Donate

However, CCPAS remains dependent upon voluntary contributions. If you would like to make a donation to CCPAS, please click here

Offices

CCPAS’s main office is in Swanley, Kent. Finance and administration operate out of Blackburn, Lancashire. In addition, our staff are based in many regions throughout the UK.