THE BENEFICE OF ALDERMASTON AND WOOLHAMPTON IS COMMITTED TO:
* The care, nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children and all adults.
* The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
* The establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is a culture of 'informed vigilance' as to the dangers of abuse.
If there are any concerns please contact one of our Safeguarding Officers:
Dr Chris Newman 0118 9713 525
Mrs Pat Owen 07947 478 840
CHURCH OF ENGLAND RESOURCES
• Church of England Safeguarding
• Diocese of Oxford Safeguarding
• Our parish is part of the Diocese of Oxford, which is the Church of England in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Milton Keynes Telephone 01865 208290.
OTHER AGENCIES
OTHER AGENCIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST EITHER ON A 24-HOUR BASIS OR THROUGH SPECIALIST HELPLINES AND SERVICES:
• NSPCC Child Protection
Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
• Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
• National Domestic Violence
Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
• Samaritans
Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
• Action on Elder Abuse
Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Councils (PCC) meetings of the Benefice in April 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 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.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This benefice appoints Dr Chris Newman and Mrs Pat Owen as the Benefice Safeguarding Officers.
Incumbent ........Revd Jane Manley