In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, St Stephen’s 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 who may pose a present risk to others.
The church will:
- Create a safe and caring place for all.
- Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the churchwardens 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 of behalf of the church or on church premises.
- Display in church premises and on the church 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 Adviser (DSA) 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.
- Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within the St Stephen’s community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
St Stephen’s has appointed Mrs Steph Dragun as the Parish Safeguarding Officer (E-mail: steph.dragun@cwgsy.net; Tel: 01481 255654).
For further information, or to seek assistance, please contact Steph or one of our Churchwardens:
Mr Elis Bebb, Vicar’s Warden (E-mail: elis.bebb@gmail.com; Tel: 07911 732032)
Mr Anthony Kaines, People’s Warden (E-mail: akaines@cwgsy.net; Tel: 01481 254858).
A scanned version of this Policy, which was signed by the Trustees and approved by the Advisory Parochial Church Council of St Stephen’s Church on 18th March 2019, may be consulted below:
Parish of St Stephen – Safeguarding Policy 2020
If you would like to get in touch with Diocesan Safeguarding Contacts, please consult this link:
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding/diocesan-safeguarding-contacts
