If there is an immediate risk of harm to an individual
you should dial 999 and report your concern to the Police .
Community & Safeguarding
If you have a concern about the safety of someone or the actions of someone
working with children or vulnerable adults, please speak to either:
The Parish Safeguarding Officer:
Mr John Steere 01752 347 309
Churchwardens:
Miss Marilyn Goldsbrough 01752 564 847
Mrs Rhona Prichard 07802 402 463
Promoting a Safer Church
Parish Roles and Responsibilities
Parochial Council (PCC)
and the incumbent
The PCC is the main decision maker of a parish. Its members are clergy,
churchwardens and others elected by the parish. The PCC and the
incumbent have a duty of care to ensure the protection of the vulnerable
in their community. In terms of safeguarding, the incumbent and
the PCC will:
Adopt and implement
- The of House Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’.
Appoint
- An appropriately experienced, named Parish Safeguarding Officer
-to work with the incumbent and the PCC or join with other parishes to share a named Parish Safeguarding Officer.
Safer recruitment, support and training
- Have a policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders and
ensure all those responsible for working with children, young people
and vulnerable adults on behalf of the church are safely recruited.
- Ensure all officers are aware of the safeguarding
policy/guidance and are trained appropriately for their roles.
- Provide appropriate insurance to cover all activities undertaken in
the name of the PCC which involve children, young people and
adults.
Display
- A formal statement of adoption of the House of Bishops’ ‘Promoting
a Safer Church : Safeguarding Policy Statement’. This should be signed
on behalf of the PCC.
- Ensure information is displayed about how to contact the DSA(s),
Parish Safeguarding Officer and how to get help outside the Church
with child and adult safeguarding issues.
- Ensure that safeguarding arrangements are clearly visible on the
front page of the parish website.
Respond
- Have a procedure in place to deal promptly with safeguarding
allegations or suspicions of abuse.
- Report all safeguarding concerns or allegations including those
against officers to the Parish Safeguarding Officer/
incumbent and the DSA.
- Ensure that known offenders or others who may pose a risk to
children and/or vulnerable adults are effectively managed and
monitored in consultation with the DSA.
- Comply with all data protection legislation especially in regard to
using (e.g. storing) information about any officers and any
safeguarding records.
- Ensure an ‘activity risk assessment’ is completed and reviewed
regularly for each activity which is associated with either children
or vulnerable adults and run in the name of the church.
Review and report progress
- The PSO should regularly report on safeguarding in the parish.
Safeguarding should be a standing agenda item at each PCC meeting.
At the APCM the PCC should provide an annual report in relation to
safeguarding. In the PCC’s annual report will be a statement which
reports on progress and a statement as to whether or not the PCC has
complied with the duty to have ‘due regard’ to the House of Bishops’
Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance.
Promoting a Safer Church
Principle Commitments
- Promoting a safer environment and culture
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any
responsibility related to children, young people and
vulnerable adults 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.
Stoke Damerel Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement
Statement of Safeguarding Principles
The Stoke Damerel Parochial Church Council fully recognizes and accepts the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy Statement “Promoting a Safer Church 2017”, and commits to complying with the current Church of England and Diocesan safeguarding policies and practice guidance. In so doing we will comply with the secular multi-agency safeguarding procedures relating to children and young people and adults experiencing or at risk of harm, abuse or neglect.
We are committed to:
-
Promoting a Safer environment and culture within our Parish and in our Parish activities by adhering to safe working practices and acknowledge the principle that safeguarding is everyone’s business.
In addition we will ensure that any individual organization renting/using our premises for activities involving children, young people or vulnerable adults is aware of this, our Safeguarding Policy, and aware of their own individual responsibilities to have appropriate safeguarding policies and processes in place, including safer recruitment.
-
Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibilities related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church in accordance with the House of Bishops’ Safer Recruitment: Practice Guidance 2016.
We will ensure those appointed are aware of the Diocesan and Parish Safeguarding Policies and are aware of their roles and responsibilities. We will support them by ensuring they receive Diocesan safeguarding training commensurate with their role and that they are fully aware of and have access to the practice guidance.
-
Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation in accordance with the statutory child and adult safeguarding procedures and the House of Bishops’ safeguarding practice guidance.
We will ensure that any complaint made regarding a vulnerable person, who may have been harmed or is in significant danger, will be reported immediately and we will fully cooperate with statutory agencies during any investigation into allegations concerning a member of the community or any other person.
-
Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
We will seek to offer informed pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry that recognises the importance of understanding the needs of those who have been abused, including their feelings of alienation and/or isolation and provide them with details of local and national support agencies.
-
Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
We will work with others to ensure the appropriate support for them and those affected. Where that person is considered to pose a risk to others, we will work with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor to mitigate any identified risk.
-
Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
We will endeavour to offer pastoral care and support whilst ensuring any risk has been assessed and is being managed in accordance with the House of Bishops’ policy and guidance and in collaboration with the statutory agencies and the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor.
Safeguarding representative
We will ensure that there is an identified person/s to be the Parish Safeguarding Representative/s who will be suitably recruited and trained, and is aware of their role and responsibilities, and who will be the point of contact for any concerns.
We have appointed Mr John Steere as our Parish Safeguarding Representative.
Guidance
Copies of Diocesan and parish guidelines and procedures can be accessed at Stoke Damerel Church.
Review
This policy will be formally reviewed annually and a copy shared with the Archdeacon at the time of the Visitation.
Date of Adoption
The PCC of this church agreed and adopted the above Policy at its meeting on 3rd November 2020.
The PCC shall review this policy annually. The next review will take place at the first PCC meeting following the APCM to be held during April 2025.
Signed <on original document>
Rector: The Revd Keith Robus MA RN
Churchwarden: Miss Marilyn Goldsbrough MPhil
Date: 3rd November 2020