We believe that the care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) and Incumbent, however, have a particular duty of care to ensure the protection of the vulnerable in our church community. Because of this, we have:
- Adopted and implemented the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ and agreed that each person who works within our two churches will agree to abide by these recommendations and guidelines; and
- Appointed a Parish Safeguarding Officer, Mrs Carol Tattersfield, to work with the Incumbent and the PCC in helping us fulfil our duty of care.
In addition, we commit to:
- Promoting a safer environment and culture;
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults;
- Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation;
- Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse or other affected persons;
- Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse and other affected persons; and
- Responding to those that may pose a present risk.
If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a Safeguarding Adviser or if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.
If you have a safeguarding concern regarding our parish, please inform the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Mrs Carol Tattersfield on 07450 429817 or the Vicar, Fr Christopher Johnson, on 01924 576745. You can also contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers here or your Local Authority Social Services team here, or ring one of the national helplines here. If a child or adult is at immediate risk of significant harm, in the first instance you should always contact the police on 101.