Safeguarding Policy and Useful Links – Parish of Boyatt Wood

The Parish of Boyatt Wood

Safeguarding Policy Statement

The following policy statement was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 2^nd May 2019

This parochial church council has adopted the Church of England Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance. In particular 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 Officer (PSO) 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 Manager (DSM) and/or statutory agencies immediately.
Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
Following advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Manager, support and manage the safe involvement of 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 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.

Local contacts available to speak to if you have any concerns:

Katie Arnett (St Peter’s Safeguarding Officer): safeguarding@parishofboyattwood.org.uk

Jackie Rowlands (Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser): safeguarding@winchester.anglican.org Tel. 01962 737317

Local Authority Social Services:Tel. 0300 5551373 or visit https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/safeguardingchildren/childprotection/mash

If there is an immediate risk or danger, please contact the police on 999.

Further help and guidance
Helplines

• NSPCC for adults concerned about a child – 0808 800 5000

• Childline for children and young people – 0800 1111

• Action on Elder Abuse helpline – 0808 808 8141

• 24-hour National Domestic Violence helpline – 0808 2000 247

• NAPAC offer support and advice to adult survivors of childhood abuse – 08088010331

• Stop It Now preventing child sexual abuse – 0808 1000 900

• Cruse bereavement helpline – 0808 808 1677