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:

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 policy on recruitment of Young Offenders

Safeguarding – Holy Trinity’s policy on recruitment of Ex-Offenders

Safeguarding – St Margaret’ Social Media Policy

Parish Safeguarding Handbook

Hire agreement v1

Hire agreement for Holy Trinity Church Hall

Reviewed July 2023