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Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
Safeguarding Statement: Parish of North Stoneham and Bassett
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of North Stoneham and Bassett 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 Bishop’s licence or permission, those commissioned or authorised by the Bishop, those, paid or unpaid, who hold positions of responsibility in a parish and work with children or vulnerable adults, and those with representational parish ministry, for example; churchwarden, organist, server & choir members
For the purposes of this document the term ‘Parish’ is used to denote the PCC and Incumbent who are together responsible for ensuring that diocesan safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented.
For the purposes of this document a child is anyone under the age of eighteen years.
Policy
North Stoneham and Bassett PCC has adopted the Safeguarding policies and Procedures of the Diocese of Winchester and the Church of England Safeguarding Policy.
A copy of the full relevant policy is obtainable on the Diocese of Winchester’s website www.winchester.anglican.org/safeguarding and a hard copy is kept in the church office.
Information on the Church of England’s Safeguarding policies and procedures can be found here:
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding
The following updated policy was adopted at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 26th March 2019
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 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 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.
Safeguarding contacts
The PCC has appointed Alison Ball as its Parish Safeguarding Officer. She can be contacted via safeguarding@nsab.org.uk
Other contact details for help and advice:
Diocesan Safeguarding Team:
01962 737317, safeguarding@winchester.anglican.org
Out of Hours Service
If you need immediate advice or help on Monday to Friday 6pm – 8am or on weekend and Bank Holidays 0300 555 1373
Safeguarding contact details for Southampton City Council
Children’s Services: 023 8083 3004
Adult Social Care: 023 8083 3003
Lines are open Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5pm. Closed Bank Holidays
For emergencies outside of these times: 023 8023 3344
Safeguarding contact details for Hampshire County Council
Hampshire Children Services
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, phone 0300 555 1384
At all other times, contact the out-of-hours service, phone 0300 555 1373
Hampshire Adult Services 0300 555 1386
National Helplines
Childline: 0800 1111
NSPCC: 0808 500 8000
Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 200 0247
Mencap Learning Disability Helpline: 0808 808 1111
VOICE UK (For people with learning disabilities who have experienced crime or abuse): 0808 802 8686
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.womensaid.org.uk
Samaritans: 08457 909090
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 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.
