Safeguarding
Safeguarding in the parishes of Holy Trinity, Penn and St Margaret’s, Tylers Green
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our churches are 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 Parishes 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 front page of 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 Team 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.
- Inform the Diocesan Safeguarding Team if we use an alternative DBS Umbrella Body to APCS and if we receive any DBS Disclosures that are not clear.
- Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Our Safeguarding Officers are:
St Margaret’s | Emma Byrne | 01494 812611 | ejwbyrne@outlook.com |
Holy Trinity | Hilary Forbes | 01494 816438 | hforbes@pennsoft.co.uk |
The Vicar, Mike Bissett may be contacted on 01494 816700 or vicar@abc5459.sg-host.com
Reporting Abuse
- If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger, or requires immediate medical attention, call emergency services on 999.
- If you do not think there is a risk of immediate harm, you should still speak to our Safeguarding Officer or Vicar about your concern as soon as possible.
- Our Safeguarding Officer should be informed about any case where a child or vulnerable adult appears to be at risk or where an adult appears to present a risk. They should be informed straight away of any safeguarding concerns involving a Church Officer. A ‘Church Officer’ is anyone appointed/elected by or on behalf of the Church to a post or role, whether they are ordained or lay, paid or unpaid.
Diocesan Safeguarding Team
If you wish to contact the Diocesan Team (the Bishop of Oxford’s team), please visit: www.oxford.anglican.org/safeguarding
For further information see:
Safeguarding – Promoting Safer Church
Safeguarding – St Margaret’s Procedure – flowchart
Safeguarding – St Margaret’s policy on recruitment of Young Offenders
Safeguarding – St Margaret’ Social Media Policy
Updated 19/11/2020