SAFEGUARDING POLICY
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a Safeguarding Adviser or if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay. (See contacts listed below)
This parochial church council has adopted the Church of England Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance.
In particular our church is committed to:
- Promoting a safer environment and culture.
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and adults at risk of abuse within the church.
- Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
- Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
- Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
- Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Parish will:
- Create a safe and caring place for all.
- Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent, church staff members and the PCC to create and help implement policy and procedures.
- Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults in church activities and ensure they have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
- Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
- Display in the church premises and on the parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
- Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
- Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Manager (DSM) and statutory agencies are immediately.
- Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
- Following advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Manager, support and manage the safe involvement of any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
- Ensure that procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
- Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy; the Church of England safeguarding policies and practice guidance, and the safeguarding operating policies and guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Matt Senior as the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO).
Click for our operating policies and procedures
Contacts:
IF THERE IS IMMEDIATE RISK OR DANGER PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE on 999.
Safeguarding concerns should be referred to:
Parish Safeguarding Officer — Matt Senior cogssafeguarding@gmail.com
Or to the vicar — Howard Wright 07746 066046 | howardwright.cogs@gmail.com
You can also contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor Jackie Rowlands 01962 737317 | safeguarding@winchester.anglican.org or Hampshire County Council immediate advice or help out of hours 0300 555 1373
Website: https://www.winchester.anglican.org/safeguarding/
Other useful numbers:
Hampshire Children’s Services - 0300 555 1384
NSPCC - 0808 800 5000
Stop it Now Helpline - 0808 1000 900
Childline - 0800 1111
Action on Elder Abuse - 0800 0699 784
National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Family Lives - 0808 800 2222