SAFEGUARDING

Safeguarding Policy Statement

In accordance with the House of Bishops’ Policy Statements ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ (2017) and ‘Protecting All God’s Children’ (2010) and the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Diocese’ (2018) 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 Benefice 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 Benefice 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.

Childline

If you are aged under 19 years’ old and would like help, advice or support you can call Childline on 0800 1111. Their service is free, confidential and available any time, day or night.

Samaritans

If you are aged 19 or over and would like to talk to somebody you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123. Their service is free, confidential and available any time, day or night.

Contact Information

If you have any concerns regarding the safeguarding of vulnerable people, please contact our Church Safeguarding Officer, Lorraine Bathgate, on lorraine.bathgate@hotmail.co.uk

Diocesan safeguarding lead is:

Greg Barry: - email address: greg.barry@rochester.anglican.org

phone 07585 952174

Safeguarding advisor (and lead for Rochester archdeaconry) is:

Anthony Glockling: - email: anthony.glockling@rochester.anglican.org

phone: 07825 315748

Links

https://www.rochester.anglican.org/safeguarding/guidance-safeguarding

https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding

Helplines

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

Childline: 0800 1111