Safeguarding

safeguarding

The Parish of St Mary’s Ely & Christchurch
SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT: PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

The following policy statement was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 18th March 2024.

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’, which can be viewed at https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/ParishSafeGuardingHandBookAugust2019Web.pdf
or via the Diocese of Ely website Diocese of Ely | National Policy and Practice Guidance (elydiocese.org) ,
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 adults at risk 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 who 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 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 & 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.

People to Contact
Our Safeguarding Officer is Mrs Sue Morley, who can be contacted on 01353 661350.
Our Children’s Advocate, who can be contacted for advice and support if children are in difficulties, is
Mrs Chris Watson. She can be contacted on 01353 663105.

Signed: P. Marsh – Priest in Charge – Chair of PCC

This policy will be reviewed in January 2025.

The Diocese of Ely Safeguarding pages.
DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING DUTY PHONE - For reporting a concern or seeking advise: 01353 652747

The Church of England Safeguarding pages.

Safe Spaces
A service for victims and survivors of church-related abuse

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. This could be abuse by someone who holds any role in the church or is linked to participating in a church-led activity or group.

Safe Spaces can provide a range of help, including advocating with authorities and other agencies, giving emotional support, providing information (including information on church and police procedures), understanding your needs and working together on individual support plans.

Tel: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times)
Email: [email protected]
LiveChat - via the Safe Spaces website