Safeguarding
safeguarding concerns
Judith Main Angela Adams Helen Simmonds
This parish takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults who may be at risk of harm. It follows the House of Bishops Guidance & Policies and has its own safeguarding policy and a Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact either our Parish Safeguarding Officer or the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
We will ensure that anyone who brings any safeguarding suspicion, concern, knowledge or allegation of current or non-current abuse to the notice of the Parish will be responded to respectfully and in a timely manner, in line with legislation, statutory and national safeguarding policy and procedures.
Our Safeguarding team, Judith Main, Angela Adams, and Helen Simmonds can be contacted by email at safeguarding@warblingtonwithemsworth.org or by telephone 07818 912 371.
Click here to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of a child or adult, please contact the police and Local Authority Children or Adult Services:
If you think a child is being harmed contact Hampshire Children’s Services or call 0300 555 1384
If you think a vulnerable adult is being harmed contact Hampshire Adult Services or call 0300 555 1386
If it’s an emergency and a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, call 999
Promoting a Safer Environment & Culture
We will ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults to enable them to participate fully in any pastoral, social and other PCC endorsed or approved activities and events, safe from harm and abuse.
Our safeguarding team assesses all activities and events run in the name of the Parish and those associated with children, young people and vulnerable adults have a designated Group Leader and procedures in place to ensure appropriate staffing & supervision; parental/guardian consent is obtained for trips, use of images and transporting in private cars; procedures are in place to ensure that leaders & volunteers do not work alone with children, young people and vulnerable adults and that these groups are not invited into the home of a church officer unless this has been approved & agreed with parents/guardians and the PCC.
Safer Recruitment
We select, vet and train all church officers working or volunteering with vulnerable groups in accordance with the House of Bishops & Diocesan Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. And we follow the Church of England ‘Steps to Safer Recruitment’.
Managing Risk
Risk assessments are carried out before activities/events take place and these, along with safeguarding procedures, are reviewed regularly by the Parish Safeguarding Officer. The safeguarding policy, together with the Parish Safeguarding Handbook, ‘Promoting a Safer Church’, is available to all church officers, parents and participants in activities and events covered by the safeguarding policy.
Where it is known that a member of the church community may pose a risk to children and/or vulnerable adults, we will consult without delay with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser so that a safe course of action, in accordance with national and local safeguarding policy and procedure, is followed. This will be carried out in conjunction with the relevant statutory agencies.