Our Parochial Church Council (PCC) Safeguarding Policy Statement
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 23 May 2022. In accordance with
The House of Bishops’ Policy Statement ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ (2017)
Protecting all God’s children (2010)
The London Diocesan Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Diocese’ (2018)
and in accordance with The Parish Safeguarding Handbook
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 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.
The Parish will:
- Create a safe and caring place for all.
- Have a named Church Safeguarding Officer (CSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
- Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to 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 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 Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
- Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
- Care for and monitor 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 health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
- Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
The Church of England Policy Documents may be found by clicking here and here
Paper copies of this, together with any parish guidelines and procedures, are held by MOTHER ANNETTE FRITZE-SHANKS.
The PCC of this Church agreed and adopted the above Policy at its meeting on 23 May 2022. The PCC shall review this policy annually. The next review will take place on or before : 28 May 2024.
We have appointed
ANNETTE FRITZE-SHANKS as our CHURCH SAFEGUARDING OFFICER (CSO)
Our Safeguarding Officer is the first person to speak to if you have any concerns around the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult.
Annette can be contacted on 07771 544201
Annette’s photograph can be seen on our Safeguarding poster below
and CASEY HAMMETT as our CHILDREN’S CHAMPION
The Children’s Champion is here to be an advocate for all children in all areas of Parish life, making sure their views are heard and their needs are thought of.
Casey can be contacted on 07717 127301
Casey’s photograph can be seen on our safeguarding poster below
Current-Statutory-Safeguarding-display-poster
Signed on 23 May 2022.
Fr Jonathan Kester – Vicar (at time of signing)
Harin Perera – Churchwarden (at time of signing)
Carrie Reiners – Churchwarden
Other useful numbers
London Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers DSA 020 7932 1224
Thirty-one eight 24 hour helpline 0303 003 1111
Family Lives 0808 800 222
Childline 0800 1111
Action on Elder Abuse helpline 0808 808 8141
24-hour National Domestic Violence helpline 0808 2000 247
NAPAC offers support and advice for adult survivors of sexual abuse 0808 8010331
MACAS for people who have been abused by church officers 0808 801 0340