Safeguarding the Young and Vulnerable |
Parish Safeguarding Policy
The
Parish of Send (St Mary the Virgin) is committed to the safeguarding
and protection of all children, young people and vulnerable adults
within our church community.
Click here to read the Church of England's Policy Statement "Promoting a safer church":
Click here to read the House of Bishops Parish Safeguarding Handbook.
Are you a survivor or victim of church related abuse? If so, click here.
Every year the PCC will agree the Parish Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy Statement, displaying a copy in the Church and Church Rooms.
Lisa Floyd is our Parish Safeguarding Officer, who has been appointed by the
Parochial Church Council (PCC) and is responsible on behalf of the
Incumbent and PCC for implementing the Diocesan
Safeguarding Policy.
The Safeguarding Officer, alongside the PCC ensures that everyone who works for the Church in a voluntary or paid capacity has undergone the necessary checks, completes relevant and on-going training and ensures the Safeguarding policy is implemented.
Specifically everyone who works with the under 18s and vulnerable adults has undergone a recruitment process and Enhanced DBS clearance check.
The Parish will:
Create a safe, nurturing and caring environment for all.
Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) who works alongside the incumbent and the PCC to implement safeguarding policy and procedures.
Ensure all working (in a paid or voluntary capacity) with children, young people or vulnerable adults have access to and undertake relevant training, ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills and confidence to recognise abuse and respond to it.
Ensure there is appropriate insurance cover for all church activities involving children and adults.
Display on the Church website, in the Church and Church Rooms the Contact details to report safeguarding concerns.
Take the necessary steps to protect children and adults if a safeguarding concern is raised. Reporting immediately to the Diocese Safeguarding Advisor and statutory agencies.
Provide support to victims / survivors of abuse.
Ensure Risk assessments are in place for all church activities and that these are reviewed annually or more frequently as deemed necessary.
Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Raise awareness amongst the congregation that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
The first contact point for safeguarding concerns during normal working hours is: safeguarding@cofeguildford.org.uk or you can contact one of the team individually.
For all safeguarding concerns please complete the Safeguarding Referral Form which will be sent automatically to safeguarding@cofeguildford.org.uk.
If you believe a child or adult is at immediate risk of harm please contact the police on 999.
If you are worried but do not think there is a risk of immediate harm please contact 101 or the relevant emergency duty social services team:
Lisa Floyd (Parish Safeguarding Officer) safeguarding@sendparishchurch.co.uk
Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (Case Management)
Name: Jackie Broadfoot Email: guildfordsafeguarding@cofeguildford.org.uk to report a concern. Information about safeguarding in Guildford Diocese and reporting can be found at https://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/parish-support/safeguarding/
REMEMBER SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY.
Helplines:
NSPCC for adults concerned about a child – 0808 800 5000
Childline for children and young people – 0800 1111
Action on Elder Abuse helpline – 0808 808 8141
24-hour National Domestic Violence helpline – 0808 2000 247
NAPAC offers support and advice to adult survivors of childhood abuse 08088010331
Stop It Now helps prevent child sexual abuse – 0808 1000 900
Cruse bereavement helpline – 0808 808 1677
Family Lives provides support and advice on family issues – 0808 800 222
MACSAS for people who have been abused by church officers – 0808 801 0340
Samaritans for people struggling to cope and needing someone to talk to 116 123
Sources of support for victims and families of abuse:
The Survivors Trust – http://thesurvivorstrust.org Safeline – www.safeline.org.uk/what-can-friends-and-family-members-do-tosupport-survivors-of-sexual-abuse
Support Line – www.supportline.org.uk/problems/rape_sexual-assault.php Victim Support – www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/ childhood-abuse
January 2020