Safeguarding
IF SOMEONE IS IN IMMEDIATE RISK OR DANGER PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE ON 999.
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, the West Hereford Team 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 and 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 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 Officer and statutory agencies immediately.
- Offer support to victims and 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.
Church of England Safeguarding e-Manual
View the Church of England Safeguarding e-Manual. The e-manual contains the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Guidance and Safeguarding Code of Practice. Each specific piece of guidance forms a chapter of the e-manual.
Responding Well
The Church of England has published a guide to support victims and survivors of church-based abuse. If you are a victim or survivor of church-based abuse, or if you are concerned that someone is experiencing or has experienced abuse in a church setting, this guide sets out what support you can expect from the Church.
Safe Spaces offers free, independent and confidential support to anyone aged 18 or over who has been abused by someone in the Church, or through their relationship with the Church. Telephone 0300 303 1056.
Our Safeguarding Policy
Contacts
Parish Safeguarding Officers:
Mel Carter (All Saints)
mel@westhereford.org.uk
Lyn Gage (St Michael’s)
lyngage9@gmail.com
Elly Bosworth (Holy Trinity)
eleanorbosworth@yahoo.co.uk
Diocesan Safeguarding Officer: Lisa Anderson
lisa.anderson@hereford.anglican.org
Telephone 07999 028076
Priest in Charge and Chair of PCC: Reverend Jonathan Widdess
jonathan@westhereford.org.uk
Please see below for additional useful contact numbers.
Herefordshire Council Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub
Children: 01432 260800
Adults: 01432 260715 (weekday office hours)
Emergency Duty Team: 0330 123 9309 (after 5pm, weekends and bank holidays)
NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
Childline (helpline for children): 0800 1111
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247