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Safeguarding

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.

St Stephen’s has appointed  as the Parish Safeguarding Officer Steph Dragun. Her contact details are 0141 255654.

Salisbury Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers

In ensuring high standards of practice in safeguarding, we are supported by the Diocese of Salisbury’s safeguarding team, who work closely with the Guernsey Police and specialist staff of the States of Guernsey Committee for Health and Social Care.

The Safeguarding Advisers are qualified and experienced social care practitioners who can provide advice and guidance to parishes and others in the diocese on child and adult protection. They can offer advice, discuss any protection matters and clarify anything in the National Guidelines. They are always ready to work with you to plan a detailed response to any protection issue, taking into account all aspects of your particular situation. Please do not hesitate to contact them; they are always very ready to help.

Jem Carter has lead responsibility for the Deanery of Guernsey and will have general oversight on all matters relating to the Island. In his absence you should speak to Heather Bland, who will have full access to relevant safeguarding records and will also provide advice in line with the handbook about any safeguarding incident or query.

Jem Carter works 9 am – 5 pm, Tuesday – Friday inclusive, either from Church House, Salisbury or from home. Jem can be contacted by email on . He is also available via mobile phone on 07469 857888. An online discussion can be arranged if necessary.

Heather Bland works 9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Wednesday inclusive, either from home or Church House, Salisbury. Heather can be emailed on or contacted via mobile phone on 07500 664800. Again, an online meeting can be arranged if needed.

On call service

The Diocese of Salisbury also provide a limited ‘on call’ DSA service from Monday – Thursday inclusive, until 9 pm. After 9 pm, it is likely that any situation will be an emergency one, in which case the Police should be contacted. Call provision is shared between Heather and Jem as below:

  • Monday and Tuesday evenings: Heather Bland
  • Wednesday and Thursday evenings: Jem Carter

Weekend Cover

After 5 pm on a Friday, an external provider ‘thirtyone:eight’ is contracted to provide an out of hours safeguarding service until 9 am the following Monday. They should be contacted in respect of any concerns over this period via their 24/7 helpline – tel 0303 0031111. They will provide initial advice and direction and send an alert to the DSAs, for their attention and follow up action when they return to work after the weekend. Further information regarding ‘thirtyone:eight’ can be found on their website which also contains a wealth of generic advice on safeguarding issues.

Diocese of Salisbury contact details

Tel: 01722 411922

Church House
99 Crane St
Salisbury
SP1 2QB

www.salisbury.anglican.org

Further Information

More information about the Church of England’s commitment to safeguarding can be found here.

For information about the Guernsey Police Public Protection Unit, click here.

If you are concerned about a child in Guernsey or Alderney, contact the Islands Safeguarding Children Partnership.