Safeguarding

Marion is our safeguarding lead, and can be contacted at marion.safeguarding@gwpchurch.org.uk

If you have concerns about safeguarding issues, then please speak with our Safeguarding Officer, Marion Ludlam, or email her at marion.safeguarding@gwpchurch.org.uk.

Alternatively, if you have information or need to make a disclosure regarding church related abuse, you can make direct contact with the Safeguarding Team at the Diocese of Oxford please call: 01865 208295 or email safeguardingreferrals@oxford.anglican.org for urgent safeguarding concerns, Mon to Thurs 9am to 5pm and Fri 9am to 4.30pm. The Diocesan contact is Erica Hegg – Safeguarding Casework Officer for Oxford and Dorchester erica.hegg@oxford.anglican.org, 07341 866832

If you have lived experience of abuse from within the Church of England, you may prefer to call the dedicated telephone NSPCC helpline, which is independent of the Church. Call 0800 80 20 20. The NSPCC helpline is also available to anyone wishing to provide information or to raise concerns regarding abuse within the Church of England. The helpline is there for you whether you are reporting issues relating to children or adults or seeking to whistleblow about poor safeguarding practice. Your call is confidential, and your concerns will be taken seriously.

The following policy, agreed by our Leadership Team, sets out our church’s commitment to promoting a safer church in accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding policy.

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.