Principles
We are committed to:
The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
The establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is a culture of informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
Practice
As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all, especially children, young people. and vulnerable adults.
It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to report any abuse discovered or suspected.
We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with safer recruitment principles, including the use of the disclosures and barring service. Any leader or helper aged 16 years or over requires a current relevant DBS clearance.
Group leaders are responsible for disseminating the agreed parish safeguarding policy to their team and ensuring that the policy is correctly followed
The leader of each group is responsible for ensuring that the names of leaders, helpers and children/young people present at each session are recorded in a register. The register must be available for future reference.
We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, co-operating with the police and local authority in any investigation. Concerns should be raised with the Parish Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible. If a child is in immediate danger the police should be contacted.
We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with him or her an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
In our procedures we will comply with current legislation, Diocesan guidance and recognised good practice.
Contacts
Parish Safeguarding Officer:
Rose Johnson
Phone: 01244 671839 / 07762541725
Email: [email protected]
Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor:
Sean Augustin
Phone: 01928 728834
Email: [email protected]
Out of hours safeguarding advice:
Thirtyone:eight
Phone: 0303 003 1111
Out of Hours Support
The Diocese of Chester partners with thirtyone:eight and you can access their Safeguarding Helpline if the Diocesan Safeguarding Team is unavailable. Thirtyone:eight can be contacted on 0303 003 1111.
This also includes any safeguarding queries outside of office hours on weekdays and weekends. An Information Sharing Agreement between the two organisations will allow the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser to receive a copy of the advice thirtyone:eight may offer the caller.
In the case of an emergency
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Service.
Helplines
- Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours).
- Parent Line: 0808 800 2222
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours).
- Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours).
- Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)
