Safeguarding

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on

21st February 2022.

The Parochial Church Council of St Peter ad Vincula takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

This Safeguarding Statement applies to all who make up the church ‘workforce’ which includes all clergy, holders of the Bishop’s licence or permission, those commissioned or authorised by the Bishop, those, paid or unpaid, who hold positions of responsibility in the  parish and work with children or vulnerable adults, and those with representational parish ministry, for example, churchwarden, organist, server,  choir member.

For the purposes of this document the term ‘Parish’ is used to denote the PCC and Vicar who are together responsible for ensuring that the safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented following the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice

For the purposes of this document, a child is anyone under the age of eighteen years.

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy 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 Parish Safeguarding Representative/Officer  (PSR/O) to work with the Vicar  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. ( See Below )
  • 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 the House of Bishop’s guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
  • Provide Activity Plans, and Risk Assessments which are  reviewed (at least once a year) for each activity associated with either children or vulnerable adults organised by the Church, including stating supervision numbers, DBS checks and management of safeguarding matters. Hirers of the church facilities are responsible for safeguarding arrangements for their events/activities.
  • Take appropriate steps to ensure that images and use of images of children and adults comply with national guidance and that appropriate consent is granted. Notices relating to such images will be displayed in the church.
  • Comply with Data Protection Principles – specifically with reference to storing information about the church ‘workforce’, including volunteers, who have completed a confidential declaration and/or undergone DBS checks or Safeguarding Agreements of offenders and others who may pose a risk.
  • Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, and 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 policies, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
  • Delegate to the Chelmsford  Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor and Secretary the responsibility for reporting to the Charity Commissions any serious incident or concern of a safeguarding nature.  The PSR will follow all procedures in such an event  informing  the Incumbent and PCC.
  • Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices annually.
  • Update the PCC on a regular basis with the PSR attending at least one PCC meeting each year and at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.

If any adult is in doubt about any safeguarding matter contact should be made  with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (DST) whose job it is to offer advice, guidance and support in all situations in which a child or adult may be at risk. For this purpose, the DST can be contacted at any time on 01245 294444.

  • The Parish Safeguarding Officer can be contacted as follows:
  • Joanna Clark 01376 790190 safeguarding@caup.org.uk

Other useful contacts

Diocesan Safeguarding Team

Contact Details: 01245 294444 (24/7) or

email:safeguarding@chelmsford.anglican.org

Safeguarding contact details for Essex County Council: 03330138936

www.escb.essex.gov.uk.

 National Helplines

Childline

0800 1111

NSPCC:

0808 500 8000

Domestic Violence Helpline:

0808 200 0247

MACSAS (Ministers and clergy sexual abuse survivors):

www.macsas.org.uk

Mencap Learning Disability Helpline:

0808 808 1111

StopItNow!

For anyone who may need help preventing abuse, even in themselves

0808 100 0900

Women’s Aid

Seeking to end domestic violence against women and girls

www.womesaid.org.uk

Samaritans:

08457 909090

Each person who works or volunteers  within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

This church appoints JOANNA CLARK as the Parish Safeguarding Officer

Vicar Revd Heike Prentice

Curate Revd Melanie Shillito

Churchwarden Judith Wargent

Churchwarden Ian Elliot