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Safeguarding

The Church of England is called to share the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. The life of our communities and institutions is integral to how we address this task. The good news speaks of welcome for all, with a particular regard for those who are most vulnerable, into a community where the value and dignity of every human being is affirmed and those in positions of responsibility and authority are truly trustworthy. Being faithful to our call to share the gospel therefore compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse from happening and responding well where it has’. From ‘Promoting a Safer Church’, The Church of England’s Safeguarding Policy Statement. Each of our churches has adopted the Diocese of York Safeguarding policy and has an appointed Safeguarding Officer. If you have a safeguarding concern, please see report this to the York Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors.

Our Benefice Safeguarding Officer is Emma Hunter  who can be emailed via safeguardingbramhambenefice@gmail.com   Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things, this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.

The Dio​cese of York and all parishes within it adopt Church of England polices and practice guidance relating to safeguarding. Copies of our policy may be found at the back of each of our churches and at the bottom of this page..

The Diocesan Safeguarding Office is Rob Marshall, he can be contacted on 01934 699509 or via email:  rob.marshall@yorkdiocese.org

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 24th May 2023

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:

  1. Promoting a safer environment and culture.
  2. Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people, and vulnerable adults within the church.
  3. Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
  4. Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
  5. Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
  6. Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

The Parish will:

  1. Create a safe and caring place for all.
  2. Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
  3. 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.
  4. Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
  5. Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
  6. Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
  7. 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.
  8. Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
  9. 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.
  10. Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
  11. 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 Benefice.

This Benefice appoints Emma Hunter as the Parish Safeguarding Officer appointed May 2023

 

Any paid or voluntary position in the church which involves working with children or vulnerable adults (this includes the members of the PCC) will be subject to a DBS check. Please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer (Emma Hunter) or Revd Nick Morgan should you need to be DBS’d or have any concerns.

 

What to do in the event of concerns about safeguarding, actual or possible inappropriate conduct. Allow the person to speak, but be very careful not to say anything that may suggest or prompt a particular answer. Anything said by the person should be recorded, using the actual words used.

Reassure the person that you are listening carefully to them, but refrain from promising to ’keep a secret’. Make it clear that you may have to tell someone else who can help to sort things out.

Concerns or an allegation must be shared with the nominated Parish Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible, or in their absence, with either the Incumbent or Church warden or another trusted adult, or with the Diocese Safeguarding Advisor. If the concern or allegation is about any of these people DO NOT share the concern with them. The concerns must be recorded, as must the decisions of how to proceed, including rationale for those decisions and consultation with any other persons.

If there are concerns that a person is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm or is in immediate danger of harm, then a referral to Social Services or the Police should be made at once by the church member or the Parish Safeguarding Officer. Identify yourself and the church you are representing. You must also advise the Diocese Safeguarding Advisor and if she or he is not available the Archdeacon.

 

Parish Safeguarding Officer

Emma Hunter Tel: 01937 844402 Email: safeguardingbramhambenefice@gmail.com

Diocese of York Safeguarding Adviser

Tel: 01904 699524  Email: safeguarding@yorkdiocese.org

Local Authority Social Services

For child protection see https://www.york.gov.uk/ChildProtection
For adult safeguarding see https://www.york.gov.uk/safeguarding-adults

Archdeacon

The Venerable Sam Rushton Tel: 01904 758241

Local Police

101

Helplines

  • NSPCC 0808 800 5000
  • Childline 0800 1111
  • Stop it Now 0808 1000 900
  • Churches Child Protection Advisory Services Helpline: 0845 1204550
  • Samaritans 116123
  • Family Lives 0808 800 2222
  • National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247
  • Action on Elder Abuse 080 8808 8141

Diocese of York safeguarding

www.dioceseofyork.org.uk/safeguarding